The search giant is here with some exciting new features for WearOS, Google Messages, and Google TV. All Android-based smartphones, Google TV devices, and WearOS-enabled wearables will benefit from these new features. Especially for WearOS devices, Gmail and Google Calendar apps are all getting new features. Further, users can set their Google Home status to Home or Away using WearOS smartwatches with the new update.

Must See: Samsung is Rolling out Wear OS 4 Update to the Galaxy Watch 5 & 5 Pro

In a bid to add Smart Home Control at your fingertips, the users can control and dock compatible smart appliances like vacuums and mops from smartwatches. The ability to start Assistant routines is another useful addition.

Among other changes, Google added 10+ new Free TV Channels for Google TV and added Emoji Kitchen Combinations. Further, all new Messages features are set to amaze the new generation and all new Home Controls on WearOS are like an icing on the cake. It has become ecstatic to control things around you from the wrist or with your voice, automation is becoming an integral part of our daily lives.

Below we have detailed new features on WearOS.

Recent Additions to the WearOS:

Wear OS Smart Home Controls:

• Directly manage a variety of AI devices from WearOS watches.
• Quickly build a suitable environment for various activities.

Wear OS Google Home Status:

• Manage the status of Google Home (Home or Away) from the WearOS device.
• Ensure smart home devices are in the appropriate state with a quick check.

Wear OS Assistant Routines:

• Quickly initiate Assistant Routines via voice commands on the smartwatch.
• Maximize the efficiency of daily tasks while you’re on the go.

These features represent a significant advancement for WearOS, offering users enhanced control and convenience in managing smart devices. As the integration of automation into daily lives continues, Google’s updates aim to make interactions with smart devices more intuitive and seamless.

In addition to 10 or more Free TV Channels for Google TV and Emoji Kitchen Combinations for Google Messages, this extensive update surpasses the capabilities of WearOS. Anticipate an enhanced and intelligent user experience forthcoming from Google TV, WearOS, and Google Messages.

Related:

• Original Pixel Watch receives Wear OS 4 Update with Improved Features
• Here are the 7 Best Google Wear OS 4 Features
• Google Calendar App arrives for Wear OS bundling some new features
• Audible app launches on Wear OS, bringing audiobooks to your wrist

(https://blog.google/products/android/new-android-features-november-2023/source)

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Google is making a U-turn one more time. If you have Google Nest speakers, Chromecast, or smart displays, you can now add them to more than one speaker group in the Google Home app. This change comes after a legal battle with Sonos, a speaker company. Last month, Google had to limit these devices to just one speaker group each. This was because of a lawsuit from Sonos, which claimed Google stole its ideas for managing groups of speakers. A California court even told Google to pay $32.5 million for this.

Google was asked for $32.5 Million as a settlement amount

But here’s the twist: A judge just threw out that ruling. The judge said Sonos didn’t properly set up its patents and waited too long to file them. Because of this, Google is taking back its previous change.

Sonos is not happy. They told Reuters they plan to appeal, saying the judge got it wrong. But Google is going ahead and removing the one-group limit. The update is already out for Android and will be coming to iOS soon.

So, if you were annoyed by the limit, you’ve got your freedom back to group your devices any way you want. Lawsuits are tricky, and those involving ideas and execution pertaining to technology are even trickier. This right here is a prime example. We’ll keep you updated regarding any future updates to this story. Stay tuned!

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(Via)

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AI voice assistants like Alexa, Google, and Siri have become increasingly popular in recent years and are now an integral part of many people’s lives. With just a simple voice command, you can ask your voice assistant to help you with tasks that require certain actions. The Google Home app is no exception. With its latest update, the Google Home app now allows you to control various activities in your house without having to leave the comfort of your couch.

What is the Google Home App?

The Google Home app is a one-stop solution that allows users to manage, automate, and control thousands of compatible devices in their homes. For example, the current update allows you to check the weather, turn on the TV, and much more.

Google has recently announced the new starters and actions available in the Automation tab on the Home app. The complete list of these new starters and actions can be found below.

Google home automations Features

Nine Starters, with example:

• Open/Close: If the window is open, you can choose to turn off the thermostat.
• Device is charging/plugged in: When your electric vehicle is charging/plugged in, it can automatically start playing music and download updates.
• Temperature: You can add a feature if the temperature inside rises above 80 degrees; open the window and turn on the fan.
• Volume is Muted: When you mute your music, it can turn off the speakers automatically, or you can select a timer.
• Device is docked/undocked: This can be commonly found on mops, mowers, and vacuums. For example, when the vacuum docks broadcast to the home, vacuuming is finished.
• Lock is jammed: For instance, if your door lock is jammed, you can broadcast to the home that the lock is jammed and pulse a light.
• Humidity Percentage: You can turn on the humidifier if the humidity drops below 40%.
• Occupancy Sensing: When the smart objects sense someone is in the room or a certain zone, the lights will turn on.

Nine Actions, with example:

• Light effects: The pulse lights will provide visual feedback when the doorbell is pressed. When to dismiss the alarm and slowly wake the lights over a one-hour time period.
• Open or Close device: You can choose to open windows, doors, and binds. For example, Choose to open the binds at 7 AM and close them at 10 PM.
• Dock Device: You can choose to dock a device. For example, dock the vacuum cleaner at 5 p.m.
• Set Humidity: You can set up actions according to the humidity. For example, if the humidity in my house is too low, turn on the humidifier.
• Pause/Unpause device: You can pause or unpause a device such as a TV, music player, or video game.
• Timer: Set up a timer for tasks like cooking, cleaning, and running errands.
• Volume Mute: Mute or unmute your devices, such as phones, TVs, or music players.
• Reboot Device: You can choose to reboot your devices like routers, game consoles, or laptops.
• Run software updates: Run software updates on devices such as Wi-Fi routers.

One thing to note is that the compatibility of the devices depends on their manufacturers. If you cannot see your device in the app, it could be because it does not support the Google Home app.

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(Source)

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Google is once again revamping its Home app with new updates that are set to make it even more user-friendly. The Home app allows you to control various devices, such as smart lights, thermostats, cameras, speakers, and even TVs. With the Google Home app, you can turn lights on and off, adjust the temperature of your thermostat, view camera feeds, play music on compatible speakers, and much more. You can also use the app to create routines that automate multiple actions with a single command. The latest version features a new Inbox feed, a redesigned lighting control system, and an updated notification bell icon, making it easier than ever to manage your smart home.

The Inbox Feed replaces the Activity Tab

One of the most notable changes is the introduction of the Inbox feed, which replaces the activity tab. The notification bell icon on the top of the favorites tab will take you to the Inbox feed where you can see all your recent notifications. Meanwhile, the Activity tab will only display your history view.

Another change is the redesigned lighting controls, which now feature a pill-shaped slider, color controls, and lighting presets. This update, which is currently available only in the Dogfood build, lets you customize the temperature and color of your smart lights, making it easier to pick the perfect ambience for your home.

While it’s unclear when the new version will be available to all users, it’s clear that Google is committed to improving its Home app. Quite recently, Google introduced some interesting features to their Home app. With these new updates, the app is set to become the ultimate one-stop-shop for managing your smart home.

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(Via)

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The Google Home app is a mobile application designed to control and manage smart home devices from Google, including the Google Nest line of smart home products. With the app, users can set up and configure their smart devices, control their home’s lights, thermostats, and other smart appliances, and stream media to compatible devices like Chromecast or Google Home speakers. The app also offers access to Google Assistant, allowing users to use voice commands to control their devices, search the web, or get answers to questions. The app itself is a powerful tool for managing a smart home ecosystem, offering an easy-to-use interface and a wide range of features for connected living. It seems like it is going to get a lot smarter, as Google recently announced a host of new features making their way to the Home App.

New Features Include Reordering Favorites, Camera Performance & More

One of the top requests from users was the ability to reorder their Favorites, and Google has now made that possible. Public Preview users can now easily rearrange anything they have pinned to their Favorites tab, prioritizing the devices they use the most for easy access.

In addition, the app is improving camera performance and speed, based on feedback from users. Google has rolled out improvements to the speed of live view for cameras, as well as how quickly users can access their camera recordings. And for users who also have a Wear OS watch, they can now get Nest camera and doorbell notifications that include images, allowing them to know what’s going on at a glance.

Google is constantly investing in the Public Preview program and bringing more early features for users to try out. And according to Google, there’s even more exciting news coming soon. The Google Home app is definitely one to keep an eye on for anyone looking to manage their smart home with ease and convenience.

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(Source)

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The Google Home app has gained a new feature that allows users to control a variety of smart devices. This incluedes TVs, fans, air purifiers, and vacuum cleaners. This is a welcome development for users of these devices, as it allows them to easily control and manage their smart home using the app. Here are the details…

The Google Home allow users to control compatible TVs running Android TV or Google TV, as well as devices connected to Nest Hub. These controls include the ability to adjust volume, mute, power on and off, play and pause, change channels, and select a source. These features were previously available for Nest Hub devices, and are now being rolled out for the Google Home app via a server-side update. According to user reports, the changes can be seen in the Google Home app (version 2.62.1.9).

However, it should be noted that these controls are currently only available for a limited number of users, and are not yet widely rolled out. Additionally, the controls on the Google Home app differ from those on Google Cast-enabled TVs and Android TVs, which are controlled through the media controls. Reports indicate that LG and Samsung TV owners are seeing changes in the Google Home app, but it is unclear when this feature will be widely available to all users.

The new Google Home feature makes it easier to use and manage these devices trough their smartphone or tablet. It is unclear when the full roll-out of these controls will take place, but it is likely to happen in the near future.

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(via)

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Decent lighting can change the whole mood and ambiance of the space, but a smart light can add fun and convenience. It allows one to control the brightness, power, and color simply through voice controls. Yeelight is one of the leading smart lighting brands in the world and has recently taken this concept to another level by introducing a new member- Smart LED Bulb M2 (Color). It is powered by Google Seamless setup and enabled by Seamless Setup in the Google Home app.

Yeelight Smart LED Bulb M2 is one of the first smart lights in the Asia Pacific to support Seamless Setup in the Google Home app. It allows the user to command google for turning the lights on/off, control brightness, or change the colors just by using their voice. The Seamless Setup enables one to easily set up Smart Home devices in the Google Home App without having the need to download another app to link or purchase a third-party hub.

For Seamless Setup, the user will need to have a Google Assistant-enabled device like a Google Nest Mini or Google Nest Hub. Yeelight Smart LED Bulb M2, being a Bluetooth bulb, enjoys off-premise access using Google Assistant-enabled devices. It offers higher reliability and lower latency, leveraging the power of local. Furthermore, the bulb reaches a luminance of up to 1000ml that is quite bright and efficient enough for regular use.

Yeelight’s collaboration with Google has proven to be a progressive improvement towards the smart home experience, in addition to becoming one of the first smart lighting brands in the Asia Pacific to adopt Google Local Home SDK.

According to Eric Jiang, the founder and CEO of Yeelight, Smart LED Bulb M2 is designed to work with Hey Google to give users the comfort of controlling it through voice command, which will allow them to have a fun and convenient experience while using the smart light.

The introduction of Yeelight Smart LED Bulb M2 is a significant milestone for Yeelight as it puts the company on the global radar. Yeelight is widely integrated with mainstream AIoT platforms, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings, establishing itself as one of the top smart lighting brands in terms of compatibility with smart home systems. Keep your spaces illuminated by building a smart home with Yeelight.

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Recently, Google Home Max got a huge $150 off during the company’s Black Friday sales. Now, after three years of launch, Google is discontinuing its powerful smart speaker.

As reported by Engadget(via XDA), Google says that it has sold the remaining units of the Google Home Max on its Google Store. If you recall, Google announced the Hi-Fi speaker with an AI support back in October 2017. Even to the present day, it remains on one of the powerful speakers with 2xTweeters, and 2xwoofers.

Anyway, Google says that existing users will get support for the speaker going forward. In fact, it says it is committed to deliver sound and home audio features for Assistant-enabled products. Hence, it will continue to offer software updates and security fixes to the Google Home Max.

In case you don’t know, Google’s Home is a bunch of products that fall under the smart speaker category. Launched back in 2016, the original Google Home has been succeeded by other iterations. Recently, the company announced a Nest Audio Smart speaker for $99 which is a spiritual successor to the Google Home.

EDITOR’S PICK: DxOMark Speaker: Google Nest Audio smart speaker scores 112; Yamaha MusicCast 50 scores 136

Having said that, the Google Home Max has 2×4.5-inch woofers and 2×0.7-inch custom tweeters. Measuring 13.2×7.4-inches(WxH), the stereo speaker weighs about 5.3kg. Besides, the speaker unit is covered inside an acoustic transparent fabric and polycarbonate body. It has 4xLED indicators, touch controls for volume, play/pause music, Assistant, and mic toggle.

The Google Home Max also has Smart Sound. It adapts to the environment and its position to throw audio accordingly. It supports audio over Bluetooth, and others like YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, and Google Play Music. You can also use the always-ready Google Assistant to control the speaker.

With the end of Google Home Max, the company is sending a message that it might kill the Home branding in the future and carry forward with Nest products. However, we will have to wait and see how Google’s Smart Audio products widen in the future.

UP NEXT: Gmail, YouTube, and other Google services restored after outages in several regions

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There was not even a single way-out for the users who would have wanted to add their Android TV in Google Home-based Speaker Group until the last few days. Surprisingly, the users can now add Android TV into the Speaker Group and can simultaneously play music. It will open a new sphere of possibilities for the advanced Google Home app users. The service works in sync with Google Cast protocol which can enable music listening across all the supported devices concurrently without any wire.

Must See: How to block Google location tracking?

Google Home app was limiting the Speaker Group compatibility to Google Cast-enabled devices like Google Home smart speakers, Chromecast Audio devices, and third-party Cast-enabled devices while barring the Android TVs. Surprisingly a Twitter user @androidtv_rumor notices the ability to add his Android TV in a Google Home-based Speaker Group functionality. The feature was found after updating the Chromecast built-in app to version 1.47.207274. In today’s guide, we will let you the steps to add Android TV in Google Home Speaker Group.

Prerequisites:

• Android TV box or Smart TV with inbuilt Google Cast.
• Working Internet connection.
• Make sure to update Google Cast built-in to the version 1.47.207274.

Note: It might require you to sign up for the beta program on Google Play Store.

Steps to add Android TV in Google Home Speaker Group

1. Update your Chromecast built-in app on your TV to version 1.47.207274 either by signing up for a beta program or sideloading it on your TV.
2. Update the Google Home app on your smartphone.
3. Open the Google Home app and tap on the ‘+’ icon to tap on the ‘Create Speaker group’.
4. Now select your Android TV along with other supported Home devices.
5. Tap Next, and then name the group before saving it.
6. Done, You can now choose the newly created group to cast from any service like Spotify, etc.

We hope you’ve successfully added Android TV in your Google Home Speaker Group easily. Moreover, the update brings the ability to turn off ongoing notifications for Android TVs on all the network-connected devices.

The unexpected feature rollout for the Google Home app is giving some indication towards the launch of Android TV-powered Chromecast. However, the new Chromecast Ultra was due for launch at Google I/O 2020 but the event got canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 crises across the glove.

If you get any difficulty while adding Android TV to Google Home-based Speaker Groups then let us know via the comments below.

Related: The XiaoAI Touchscreen speaker is Xiaomi’s version of the Google Home Hub

(source)

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Google‘s smart home products which include Home speakers and displays often receive software updates but they are installed in the background, therefore, most users tend to not notice them.

In the last couple of weeks, owners of Google home products have been stating on the company’s support forums and Reddit that their devices got bricked allegedly after the recently pushed software update. Google had already acknowledged that an automatic firmware update rolled out in September is indeed its cause. However, this happened last month and the company did mention anything else until now.

Google has recently reached out to 9to5Google to confirm that the company will be replacing all units that were bricked as a result of this update, regardless of if they are covered under warranty. There’s also a fix for that update which is rolling out soon to prevent the issue on other devices.

The official statement issued by the company is listed below:

We are aware that a small number of Google Home and Google Home Mini devices are affected by an issue that causes the device to stop working. We have a fix that will prevent the issue from happening and will be rolling it out soon. We are replacing affected devices

UP NEXT: Buy BlitzWolf BW-HL1 Smart Watch for Just $19.99 from Banggood2019/10/25

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Google has officially revealed a date for its launch event. The date is October 9 and the venue is in New York. The venue is surprising since Google is known to host its launch events in California.

While the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the expected devices to be announced on that day, we are sure those are just two of all the new hardware that will be unveiled. Below is a list of other products that will also likely be announced:

1.Android TV Dongle (Chromecast Ultra’ successor)

Earlier this year, a Chromecast-like dongle was seen at the FCC. The dongle has Google’s “G” logo on it and an HDMI-out connector at one end. The FCC document referred to it as the “4K ATV” stick which means it supports streaming in 4K.

It has 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage and is powered by an Amlogix S905X processor. The dongle also has a remote similar to that of the Mi Box but with a dedicated Google Assistant button. Our guess is that this is the successor to the Chromecast Ultra but with Android TV on it so you have no need for your phone, tablet, or PC.

2. Mi Box 2 (Mi Box 4)

The Mi Box is the Android TV version of the Mi Box 3 that is sold in China. Announced back in 2016, Google (and Xiaomi) may announce a successor at the October 9 event.

The new box which may be officially called the Mi Box 2 was seen at the FCC a few months ago. It has the same design as the Mi Box 4 sold in China but comes with a different remote. The remote has a dedicated Google Assistant key like that of the TV dongle above but also adds a dedicated Netflix button and another button for Live TV.

The design of the box and the new remote seems to be the biggest upgrades as the internals don’t seem to have changed at all. It still has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. It also keeps the full-sized USB port in case you want to connect a USB flash drive or a wireless gamepad.

A test photo of the device at the FCC shows an interface similar to that of Android TV 8.0 Oreo. This is not surprising since Android TV 9.0 Pie isn’t yet available. By the way, Google has made a rule that Android TV boxes launched after December 15 must come with Android Pie.

3. A new Google Home with a display

A number of manufacturers have released smart speakers with displays. Lenovo’s Smart Display (8” and 10” models) and the JBL Link View are two examples. However, Google may launch its own smart display at the event.

News of Google’s own smart display was first reported last month by Nikkei Asian Review. The smart display will launch before the holidays and is expected to challenge Amazon’s own Echo Show. Google is said to have set a target of 3 million shipments for the first batch.

The device which will likely be made by Taiwan’s Quanta Computer will be the latest member of the Google Home family when it launches.

4. Pixelbook 2

The Pixelbook is still one of the best Chromebooks on the market but it is already a year old which means its internals are a bit outdated. A new Pixelbook is said to be in development and goes by the codename “Nocturne”. It is said to be detachable, allowing it to be used as a ChromeOS tablet. Nocturne has also been reported to have a fingerprint scanner, a first for a Chrome OS device.

With respect to specs, Nocturne has a 2400 x 1600 screen, two USB-C ports, and is missing a MicroSD card slot.

However, it isn’t the only ChromeOS device in development by Google. A second device codenamed “Meowth” was also discovered in Chromium source code. It has been reported as being detachable and working with the same keyboard base as “Nocturne”  and goes by the codename “Whiskers”. Meowth has also been reported to be less powerful than “Nocturne”.

The keyboard dock is detachable and has a backlight which adjusts automatically based on ambient light. It can also be folded to serve as a stand when “Nocturne” or “Meowth” is in tablet form. When in this form, the keys and touchpad are automatically disabled.

We don’t have further proof to back any of these findings yet but there is a possibility Google may announce at least one new Pixelbook.

READ MORE: No Pixel smartwatch(es) this year says Google

Conclusion

The launch event will begin at 11 AM Eastern Time and a live stream will be available on the Made by Google YouTube channel for those who will be watching from home.

Which of these devices are you most excited about and which will you be buying?

(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

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Google was reported recently to have made a $550 million investment in China’s e-commerce giant JingdongMall also known as JD. The investment will see Google getting 27.1 million newly issued JD.com Class A ordinary shares at an issue price of $20.29 per share which represents a less than 1 percent stake in the company. It was also disclosed that the investment is one piece of a broader partnership which looks to be broader than what we thought. It was revealed that the partnership will include the promotion of JD.com products on Google’s shopping service. More details have now emerged that the partnership will also see Google selling its products on JD.com.

This could be a mutually beneficial relationship with Google likely to benefit the most since China is one of the largest markets due to its boisterous economy couple with a large young population. Google and JD have reportedly discussed selling Google’s popular A.I.-enabled Google Home speakers in the region via JD.com.

Read More: JD.com CEO Sets February 2018 Target To Change Its Fleet of Delivery Vans in Beijing To Electric

Google Home Speaker comes with Google’s own smart AI assistant which is programmed in English. There is no history of a Chinese version but if the story turns out to be true, it means Google may have been working on a Chinese version. We can’t verify the authenticity of this news as Google has made several efforts to enter China in the past which were unsuccessful due to the company’s stance on a free and open internet. When it finally goes on sale, the Google Home speaker will have a host of Chinese-manufactured Smart speakers to contend with, including that of Xiaomi. But the sales will further deepen Google’s foothold in the region, following years of failed attempts to establish one.

(source)

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In an attempt to take on Amazon in the smart speakers market in India, Google has launched its own smartphone speakers — Google Home and its mini variant Google Home Mini in India at a launch event in New Delhi.

The Google Home is priced at Rs. 9,999 (approximately $153) while the Home Mini is priced at Rs. 4,499, which roughly converts to $69. Both the speakers will be available for purchase in India online exclusively through Flipkart and select offline stores, including  Reliance Digital, Chroma and others.

The Google Home will be available in Chalk color, whereas the Google Home Mini will come in Chalk and Charcoal colors. While the company has launched Home and Home Mini, the Google Home Max has not been launched in India. However, there’s a possibility that the company could bring the Home Max to India at a later date.

Those who purchase the device will also receive free six months of subscription for Google Play Music and some special offers from Gaana and Saavn Music. Further, there’s also a 10 percent discount if the speakers are purchased using HDFC credit card. Furthermore, Flipkart, as well as few offline stores, are also offering a free JioFi router on the purchase of Google Home or Google Home Mini.

The smart speakers, which are powered by Google’s voice assistant, Google Assistant, are capable of performing a range of tasks, from playing music and checking traffic to reading out news and recipes.

The company says that the speakers have been tweaked for India and Google has also roped in local news partners for providing headlines through the device. Users will be able to access various apps using the device, as well as IoT devices.

According to Google, it has partnered with more than 200 brands for bringing support for more than 1500 devices, which can be controlled via the Google Home series of speakers. The devices also respond distinctly to more than one user as they come with a Voice Match feature, allowing each user to access their music, calendar and other services based on their voice profile.

Read More: Google Pixel 3 Makes First Appearance in AOSP, Hints At Improved Networking

In India, the newly launched Google Home and Home Mini will go up against Amazon’s Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus, which starts at Rs. 4,499 (approximately $69) and are powered by Amazon’s own smart assistant — Alexa.

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Last year, Amazon launched its range of smart speakers in India, including Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus. Now, Google is preparing to launch its own smart speakers in India — Google Home and Google Home Mini.

Earlier, we reported that Google is expected to launch its smart speakers in India this month, based on a communication shared by Redington India with its retail partners. Now, the company has sent out media invites for the launch event scheduled on 10th April.

In the latest development, the company has hinted that the devices will be available for purchase exclusively through India’s homegrown online marketplace Flipkart. Google has teased this through Twitter. In a tweet, the company said — “Listen to your favourite tracks without lifting a finger. Just #MakeGoogleDoIt, at home. Register on the Flipkart App to know more.”

Other reports suggest that Google has also added support for Indian-origin music streaming apps Gaana and Saavn, along with its default Google Play Music. Furthermore, the Google Assistant is also set to receive support for Indian English in the coming days. Recently, Hindi language support was rolled out to Google’s virtual assistant.

The Google Home smart speaker was first introduced by the search engine giant back in 2016 in the United States. With the help of the company’s own Google Assistant, the smart speaker can perform various actions like music playback, weather/ time information, setting alarms and reminders, answering queries, and making lists among others.

There is currently no information regarding the pricing and availability details of the speakers in India. We are speculating the Google Home to be priced around Rs. 9,999 (approximately $154) and the Home Mini to cost around Rs. 4,499, which roughly converts to $69.

Read More: Google Pixel Mid-Range Phone May Launch in July in India

Google’s competitor in this smart speakers market in India, Amazon Echo is priced at Rs. 9,999 and the Echo Dot and Echo Plus are priced at Rs. 4,499 and Rs 14,999 respectively.

(Source)

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According to a communication shared by Redington India with its retail partners, Google Home and Home Mini will be officially launched in the peninsula in April 2018. After the giant from Mountain View rolled out a new update to Google Assistant which adds the support to the Hindi language, it seems that the new smart speakers are going to hit the shelves in the world’s second highest smartphone market. The launch comes after Amazon made its Echo smart speakers (Echo, Echo Plus, and Echo Dot) with Alexa available to purchase in India back in October.

So, there will be a big competition between Google and Amazon, and it is actually hard to establish which company will get the biggest share. Actually, Alexa still cannot understand or speak Hindi, and given that Google Assistant already supports this language, this may be an advantage for Google Home and Home Mini in India. However, according to the latest tests of the virtual assistant, the Hindi support is still not perfect. While the Media Accounts on Google Assistant already support some of the most important music streaming services in India (such as Saavn and Gaana), the vocal commands to interact with these services are still not available.

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But we believe that when Google Home and Home Mini will be officially launched in India there will be no issues and the software support will be complete. The two smart speakers have recently been launched in my country (Italy) with prices of €149 and €59, respectively. The Indian price of the smart accessories based on Google Assistant is still unknown at the moment. The only difference between Google Home and Home Mini is the audio quality, as the smart features are exactly the same. And, obviously, the Mini version is smaller as the name suggests.

(Via)

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Google had done a good job of keeping the upcoming Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones under the wraps throughout the year. However, the entire specifications of both phones have surfaced in the past few weeks. The leaked press renders of Pixel 2 duo have also surfaced earlier in this week. Few hours ago, the Google Home Mini smart speaker that is expected to get unveiled on Wednesday was made available on pre-orders on Walmart. The listing not only contained images of the Home Mini but also it featured an image of the Pixel 2 XL. The pre-order listing on Walmart was taken offline quickly, but 9to5Google was able to download the images of both devices.

The above image of the Google Pixel 2 XL that has surfaced through Walmart shows that it features a white rear and a black colored front. The glass that is laid on top of the display seems to a bit curved at the edges.

The bottom side of the phone features a USB Type-C port and its front-facing dual speakers are also visible. The screen has rounded corners. Even though the side bezels do not appear very slim, they seem to be thinner than the bezels of the predecessor phone. Rumors have revealed that the Pixel 2 XL is an LG-made device that features a 6-inch display that supports QHD+ resolution and an aspect ratio of 18:9.

As previous reports have revealed, the Google Home Mini is a smaller edition of Google Home smart speaker. It was listed with a pricing of $49 on Walmart.

Read More: Google Pixel 2 Launch Event: How to Watch Livestream and What to Expect?

The Home Mini that is powered by Google Assistant can answer queries, control the smart home, play music and share weather info. It measures 4.53 x 4.53 x 4.72 inches. The pre-order page of Google Home Mini had revealed that its shipping will begin on Oct. 19.

As far as Google Pixel 2 XL is concerned, recent reports have revealed that its 64 GB and 128 GB models will be respectively priced at $849 and $949. Even though the Pixel 2 XL will be unveiled on Wednesday, its shipments are rumored to begin on Nov. 15. The Google Pixel 2 is rumored to be respectively priced at $649 and $749 for 64 GB and 128 GB storage models. Its shipments are rumored to begin on Oct. 19.

(via 1. 2)

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Google has a big launch event scheduled for tomorrow at San Francisco. Apart from unveiling Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones, the search engine giant will be also showcasing other devices. Here is what our readers can expect from Google Pixel 2 launch event:

How to Watch Google Pixel 2 Launch Event?

As mentioned above, the event will take place at San Francisco and it will begin at 9 AM PST in the U.S. The event will be also livestreamed on the official “Made by Google” YouTube channel.

Viewers in the U.K. can view the livestream at 5 PM BST. In India, it will be viewable at 9:30 PM IST. In China, the Pixel 2 launch event livestream will be viewable at 12 AM on Oct. 5.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Plenty of information on the Google Pixel 2 duo have been revealed ahead of its launch. Readers can visit the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL rumor roundup article to known everything on their expected specifications, features, and pricing. Earlier today, reliable tipster Evan Blass has revealed the leaked press renders of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. The 64 GB and 128 GB Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are rumored to carry respective pricing of $649/$749 and $849/$949.

Google Pixelbook and Pixel Pen

The rumored Pixelbook is a convertible device that can be used as a laptop as well as a tablet. It is speculated as a premium device that will be running on Chrome OS. Its 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB models are tipped to arrive with respective pricing of $1,199, $1,399 and $1,749. Google is rumored to sell an optional Pixel Pen stylus worth $99 for the Pixelbook.

Google Home Mini and Daydream View VR

A smaller version of Google Home smart speaker dubbed as Home Mini is also pegged to debut tomorrow. Unlike the regular Google Home, its mini version may not be a wireless device. The Google Assistant driven miniature smart speaker is expected to cost $49 and it is likely to come in multiple color options.

The Daydream View VR will be enhanced version of the original model that was launched in the previous year. It Is expected to arrive in multiple colors along with a motion controller. The device is expected to be priced at $99.

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When Amazon released the Amazon Echo back in 2015, everyone was blown away. The speaker with a built-in smart assistant called Alexa performed a variety of functions. You could ask it questions, order items from Amazon’s website, set alarms and even control your other smart electronics with it. Other companies such as Google seeing how successful the Echo is launched their own version called Google Home with Google’s Assistant baked in.

But what if you do not want to buy Google’s Home and you don’t like Amazon’s Echo because it’s only available in black and white? Lenovo has got you covered. The PC manufacturer just launched its own smart home speaker before CES 2017, called the Lenovo Smart Assistant which comes in very cool colors and the best thing about it is that it has Amazon’s Alexa built-in.

Lenovo Smart Assistant Design

Lenovo’s Smart Assistant can be said to be a cross between the Echo and Google Home. The top half looks like an Echo and the lower half like the Google Home’s replaceable base. The top has just a single button but has a circular speaker grille similar to that of the Echo, although just one set of holes in the Lenovo.

The top part has a ‘floating design” from the rest of the body and has an aluminium frame around it. Just below it is the remaining part of the first half that has Lenovo’s branding hanging like a banner outside a castle. The lower half is the part that looks like the Google Home with its fabric design which we believe is covering the speaker(s). While the Google Home has a removable base, the Lenovo Smart Assistant isn’t and you are stuck with whatever color you purchase.

The underside of the speaker has a cut-out groove for the power cord and a reset button that can be activated using a sim ejector tool or office pin.

RELATED: Lenovo has just unveiled the stylus-equipped Microsoft Surface Killer

Lenovo Smart Assistant Features

The Lenovo Smart Assistant equipped with eight 360° far-field microphones with noise suppression and acoustic echo cancellation is designed to pick up users’ voice commands from up to 5 meters away. Lenovo says there is a special Harman Kardon Edition of the Smart Assistant for those who want premium audio quality when streaming music.

The Smart Assistant not only answers questions and takes commands but can also be used to control other Lenovo smart home devices as well as a number of existing 3rd part products.

Lenovo Smart Assistant Pricing and Availability

The Lenovo Smart Assistant will be available in May 2017 for $129.99 in White with either a Light Gray, Green, or Orange base and Black for $179.99 if you want the Harman Kardon Edition.

Note that our CES coverage can be read at CES 2017 Hub

(Sources: 1 and 2)

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