It’s only been a couple of weeks since the last major update to Google Assistant, but there’s more coming with a new update finally adding a few previously announced features.
Pretty Please
The first update is the ‘Pretty Please’ feature announced at Google I/O in May. This feature is a way to reinforce manners and politeness in kids, or even adults – though it’s kids that seem to be the selling point here.
The feature is apparently live from today, Google encourages you to use manners when issuing commands for example ‘Hey Google, please set a timer for 5 minutes.’ at which stage the Assistant will respond in kind with something like, ‘Thanks for asking so nicely. Alright, 5 minutes. Starting now.’
I haven’t been able to get this one going as yet, but my Home Mini has been off for a few days and likely needs to get some updates.
Lyrics
As well as the Pretty Please function arriving, Google is also adding support for lyrics on your Lenovo, JBL or Google Home Hub Smart Display. Using a Google Play Music subscription, will allow you to display and show lyrics, syncronised to the music as it plays on-screen.
This is live here in Australia using the example they supplied ‘Hey Google, play ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ on Google Play Music’, but Google says it’s only available for ‘selected songs’ so your mileage may vary.
Santa
Given the time of year, Google has also enabled the ‘Call Santa’ feature. You can now say ‘Hey Google, Call Santa’ and follow along. Google has also added a variation for Smart Displays saying you’ll see a ‘range of fun album covers the bands up in the North Pole have made’ if you call.
Lists, Broadcasts replies and more
Also announced were previously announced features like the upcoming option to configure Google Keep, Any.do and Bring!, as well as Todoist as your default list keeping app.
Google also re-iterated that Broadcast Replies are on the way, and that you can set alarms quickly on your Smart Display by swiping up from the home screen and then tapping the new timer button.
There’s also the Nest Hello! Doorbell tie-in, which gives you a two way talkback feature, but given that Nest don’t sell the doorbell in Australia yet we probably won’t be seeing that one anytime soon.
