After the speaker w.ars, Goo.gle rivals Amazon with Assistant-powered smart displays.
Although Google found itself beaten hollow by Amazon in the race to bring voice-activated assistants into people’s homes in the form of smart speakers last year, the company is soldiering on with its AI-powered bot – this time, with smart displays.
Google announced today that it’s partnering with JBL, Lenovo, LG, and Sony to develop touchscreen devices in various form factors for the home, with Assistant and Cast built in. That means you’ll be able to ask about the weather, play YouTube videos, rifle through your Google Photos, look up directions, and make Google Duo calls by using your voice or tapping and swiping on the screens of these new gadgets.
The concept is a lot like what Amazon had in mind with its Echo Show, but with support for Google services. The displays will be powered by Android Things, an OS developed by Google specifically for Internet of Things devices at the end of 2016.