Google Assistant will expand to more third-party speakers and appliances this year

Google Assistant launched less than a year ago, but Google’s entry into the digital companion race is planning to expand its reach into more third-party products. Today, as part of the IFA 2017 trade show in Berlin, Google revealed that Assistant would soon be supported by a number of connected speakers besides its own Google Home product.

One of those speakers is the previously announced TicHome Mini from Mobvoi. The small, battery-powered disk-like speaker will be IPX6 water resistant and can even be used as a Bluetooth speaker when connected to another device like a smartphone. It is supposed to go on sale later this year for a price that will be somewhere under $100, and it will be available in several different colors.

Another speaker due out this year with Google Assistant support is the Zolo Mojo from Anker. This speaker has a cylindrical design that looks like a shorter, fatter version of the Amazon Echo. It will also feature Bluetooth wireless support. Anker hints this may be the first in a lineup of Google Assistant-powered speakers from the company. A price tag for the Zolo Mojo has yet to be revealed but it will be out before the end of 2017.

Finally, the Panasonic GA10 is, well, rather dull looking on the outside. The speaker looks like any other speaker that you might find for your TV or stereo. Panasonic says the GA10 has two 20-mm soft dome tweeters inside and will come in black or white colors. Again, pricing and a release date for this product have yet to be revealed. Google says other third-party partners will reveal Google Assistant-based speakers later this week at IFA.

In addition, Google says that Assistant will soon make its way into smart appliances, with LG as the first company named as supporting the virtual companion. Google says that Assistant support will let people simply say, “Ok Google, start vacuuming” or, “Ok Google, is the laundry done?” to get chores done quickly. There’s no word on when these products will be released. Again, more appliance hardware partners for Assistant, besides LG, are expected to be revealed in the future.