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Assistant is Google’s personal assistant that is capable of answering questions, performing automated tasks, and more.

Devices powered by the Google Assistant |

The Pixel Tablet’s Assistant Ambient Mode forerunner & iPad smart display dock threat

In talking with Google and learning more about the Pixel Tablet, my biggest takeaway is that pulling double duty as an Assistant Smart Display will be its path to success. It all comes down to execution, which of course is harder said than done given that Google basically tried with Assistant Ambient Mode two years ago. Meanwhile, Apple is rumored to be right behind the Pixel Tablet and following the same strategy for the iPad.

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Google is actually shutting down the Assistant Driving Mode ‘Dashboard’ (homescreen)

google assistant driving mode 2022

Earlier this week, Google told us that the Maps integration in Assistant Driving Mode is going away. The company’s confirmation following a “sunset” notice we discovered in the Google app turned out to be incorrect, and Google now tells us it is shutting down the entire Assistant Driving Mode Dashboard that was announced at I/O 2019.

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Assistant Driving Mode ditches Google Maps integration, no longer an Android Auto replacement

google assistant driving mode doesn't support landscape

In May of 2019, Google Assistant Driving Mode was announced to replace “Android Auto for Phone Screens.” The launch occurred slowly, with the previous experience not going away until this June. Assistant Driving Mode is now losing Google Maps integration and this noticeably changes the experience to the point where it’s no longer an Android Auto replacement. 

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Google Home Essentials: Yale’s Assistant-connected delivery box deters porch pirates

yale smart delivery box

Stealing packages is an unfortunate problem nowadays, and one that just seems to be getting worse for some. While there are defenses, such as baiting bad actors with glitter bombs, an even better solution is to keep packages in a secure place. That’s what Yale’s Google Assistant-connected smart delivery box tries to do.

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