CES 2019: Google Pushes Assistant for Car, Adds Interpretation

Google has showered its voice assistant with multiple features that will roll out for users in the coming weeks.

JioPhone also supports Google Assistant.

(Photo: The Quint)

Google Assistant is about to get smarter with a new Interpreter mode that would help users have a real-time conversation in nearly 27 languages.

"Just say 'Hey Google, be my French interpreter' to start 'Interpreter Mode' and get real-time spoken and (on Smart Displays) written translation to aid the conversation," Manuel Bronstein, Vice President of Product, Google Assistant, wrote in a blog post late on Tuesday.

The Interpreter mode in Google's virtual assistant would be rolled out over the next few weeks on Google Home devices and Smart Displays, the company announced at the CES 2019 here.

Google Assistant has been around for two-and-a-half years now and has been installed on nearly one billion devices globally.

Currently, the Interpreter mode can translate between 27 languages in real-time and is slated to work through Google Home speakers such as the Google Home Hub and Google Home Mini.

The feature would be introduced to more devices and even smartphones in the future.

In addition to this, applications such as Google Maps would also include Assistant functionality, which will make driving safer.

Interpreter mode comes to Google Assistant. (Photo: Google Blog post)

With just your voice, you’ll be able to share your ETA with friends and family, reply to text messages, play music and podcasts, search for places along your route, add a new stop and auto-punctuate your message.

<a href="https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/hey-google-whats-new-assistant-ces-year/">Google Assistant blog post</a>

Just say “Hey Google, take me home,” to open Google Maps and get help from your Assistant on your journey.

Google’s effort to push Assistant to your car’s dashboard will turn into reality once the accessories from brands like Anker and JBL are made available in the market.

Once the accessories are connected in your car, you can use the Assistant hands-free, without having to unlock your phone. These accessories simplify audio input/output and allow the Assistant to hear you clearly, even if there’s loud music or conversations happening.

<a href="https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/hey-google-whats-new-assistant-ces-year/">Google Assistant blog post</a>

Google also confirmed that in the coming weeks Assistant on your phone will be usable, without needing to unlock the device. This feature, as mentioned in the post, is already available to Pixel phone users.

You can ask your Google Assistant to show restaurants nearby, set up and dismiss alarms, schedule reminders and timers without unlocking your phone.

<a href="https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/hey-google-whats-new-assistant-ces-year/">Google Assistant blog post</a>

Check Your Flight via Assistant

And finally, Assistant will also be able to help you with flight schedule details, including displaying your boarding pass.

Flight details accessible via voice. (Photo: Google Blog post)

Just say, “Hey Google, check in to my flight”— there’s no need to remember your confirmation number. The Assistant will also proactively notify you when your flight is ready for check-in.

<a href="https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/hey-google-whats-new-assistant-ces-year/">Google Assistant blog post</a>

You can even get hotel bookings done, in case of a last minute change of plans and Assistant will help you out with details from hospitality partners like Choice Hotels, AccorHotels, Inter Continental Hotels Group, Priceline, Expedia, Mirai and Travelclick among others.

For Google to showcase so many features at CES 2019 clearly highlights the direction in which voice assistants are likely to be heading this year, including inside a person’s car.