This Month in Google Assistant: November Recap
Google launched My Storytime, a new Action on Google
Instrument and Google Nest launched a voice experiment called My Storytime. It’s a new Google Assistant action that makes it easier to pre-record stories from anywhere and play them back with the Google Assistant. Simply say, “Hey Google, talk to My Storytime”. Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/google-nest/my-storytime/.
Buying movie tickets with Google Assistant (21 Nov)
On Android phones, the Google Assistant can now help you purchase movie tickets on the web. Simply ask, “Hey Google, showtimes for [movie] in Phoenix this weekend.” Or you can do a search for movie times from the Google app on Android. Thanks to Duplex on the web technology, the Assistant will be able to navigate the site and input your information, like payment information saved in Chrome. Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/save-time-buying-movie-tickets-google-assistant-chrome/.
Google Assistant calendar & meeting integration for G Suite
Google is bringing more Google Assistant features to G Suite users to help them work more efficiently and seamlessly:
- Manage your calendar while on the move. The Google Assistant can help you manage scheduling in Google Calendar. You can ask the Assistant to read your calendar, create events, cancel events, or reschedule events.
- Send quick messages and dial into calls hands-free. You can send messages and join calls on the go. Simply say, “Hey Google, join my next meeting” or “Hey Google, send an email to my next meeting”.
- Increase accessibility in meeting rooms. You can use accessibility features without having to find the button to turn them on. Simply say, “Hey, Google, turn on spoken feedback”.
Learn more on the Google Cloud blog: https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/g-suite/introducing-new-assistive-features-in-gsuite.
Preview update for Local Home SDK
Google launched the preview update for Local Home SDK with API changes based on developer feedback. You will need to update to the latest SDK to continue testing location execution apps. Learn more in the Local Home SDK changelog: https://github.com/actions-on-google/local-home-sdk/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md.
Google launched Your News Update
Google launched Your News Update, a new way to listen to the news from the Google Assistant, with a mix of top news stories and news tailored to users. Currently available in the US in English. Learn more on the Google blog: https://www.blog.google/products/news/your-news-update/.
Updates to Interactive Canvas
Google launched a few updates to Interactive Canvas:
- sendTextQuery now returns a promise to track each request,
- custom SSML marks are now supported to synchronize the words spoken in the TTS with animation in your game.
Learn more in the Google Assistant developer documentation: https://developers.google.com/assistant/interactivecanvas/reference/interactivecanvas.
