Google Assistant, Google’s artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant for mobile and smart home devices got a boost with an upgrade which brings tight integration with Google Maps and more smart features.
The news were shared today at CES 2019, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. So far, Google Home speaker users could ask Google Assistant to fetch them directions to specific locations and they would appear on the smart display.
From now on, its capabilities will expand, as users will be able to share ETA with friends, or ask for places to stop while on the road or even add a new stop to their itinerary. Based on Google Maps’ existing features, it wouldn’t be impossible to see tighter integration in the future: Google Assistant could offer recommendations for places or inform about mass transport schedules.
This is not the only update announced during CES. Google Assistant will also help with flight check ins and retrieve boarding passes, without the need to input verbally or manually any confirmation codes. The feature will start rolling out this week, starting with coverage on all United Airlines flights.
Some more goodies await Android users, as Google Assistant has also been upgraded to read messages from WhatsApp, SMS, Facebook Messenger, and other popular chat apps and provide hands-free replies.
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