The recent update to Google Assistant was full of interesting and useful new features, but like any of these updates we had no idea if some would arrive here. One of the more useful features, Broadcast Replies, has now started rolling out here in Australia.
Broadcast replies arrival is advertised by the Google Home speakers after a Broadcast message has been played, saying ‘By the way if you’d like to send a reply just let me know’.
To reply, all you have to do is say ‘Ok/Hey Google, reply’ and then tell it your reply. The reply is sent back to the original broadcaster as a popup notification which you can tap on to open the Assistant, at which point a card is displayed with the audio which can be played back, or you can tap the reply button to send either a voice message or type out a reply that’s then broadcast.
Here’s how it works:
Quite frankly, this is awesome. I’ve been using the Broadcast feature while working nights to tell my son it’s time to go to bed, now he’ll actually be able to reply and that’s rather exciting. It can be used in a more helpful manner when going shopping, or perhaps replying back when someone is on their way home to tell them to pick up some milk etc.
It’s a useful feature and one I’m glad is rolling out here in Australia.
