As the battle of the machines seethes on,
Google has confirmed that
Google Assistant is coming to
Android TV, both on compatible televisions and set-top boxes. Making the announcement at CES 2017, Google gave the timeline of "the coming months", confirming that your Sony Bravia TV will get the update, allowing you access to Google Assistant on your TV.
Assistant is similar to
Amazon's
Alexa and Apple's Siri, however its components can shift from device to device. On the Google Pixel, for instance, you can request that it toggles the flashlight, set reminders, and request directions. Similar activities can be accomplished on other Assistant-enabled products like Google Home, where you can use the AI bot to control your smart home products. However, what gives Assistant advantage over Alexa is the force of Google Search, and the ability to ask follow-up inquiries without repeating yourself.
Impact of Google Assistant on Android TV
• Play content: “Play Stranger Things on
Netflix.”
• Discover content: “Search
YouTube for
Jimmy Kimmel." And you can also ask a follow-up if you’re interested in more videos by saying: "Play the second one.”
• Get answers: “Tell me about Jurassic Park?”
• Set the right mood: “Dim the lights.”
• Get ready for your day: “How long will it take to get to work?”
TVs
In the coming months, the Google Assistant on Android TV will go to the
NVIDIA SHIELD, alongside all Android TVs in the US running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or Android 7.0 Nougat, like the AirTV Player, Sharp Aquos, Sony Bravia,
Xiaomi Mi Box, and that's just the beginning. Also, once available, the NVIDIA SHIELD will be the first TV device to offer a hands-free Assistant experience — so "Dim the lights" may be an "OK Google" away!
