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Google Assistant reminders just got improved in a big way
Thanks to a recent update to the Google app, Google Assistant reminders are finally unbundled in the notification panel. That means you can dismiss and control them individually, with actions to snooze for an hour or mark as finished.
Even the list of At a Time and Completed reminders received a visual and functional change. There’s now a checkbox next to each reminder, along with a label for overdue reminders. Tapping a reminder lets you check the Complete box, delete the reminder, or make changes. If you decide to edit, Google Assistant will ask you what you want to change.
Also read: Best Google Assistant devices for your home: Our top 10
It’s a small change to reminders, but it’s an appreciable change. Assistant reminders previously sat as one notification, which could only be dismissed or left alone. You can check out the updated Assistant reminders in the images below.
Previous Google Assistant updates
Google Assistant now reads and replies to messages from more apps than ever
August 2, 2019: Based on recent testing, Google Assistant can now read and reply to messages from third-party messaging services. Supported services include Pulse SMS, WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram, and many more. There’s even reported success with Google Voice.
Check out our how-to guide to see if Google Assistant can read and reply to messages from your favorite app.
Dish voice remote comes with Google Assistant
July 31, 2019: Dish’s new voice remote comes with Google Assistant functionality. That means you can use the remote to search and control live TV and on-demand content, control smart home devices, and get answers on your TV.
Dish customers with a voice remote and a connected Hopper, Joey, or Wally will get Google Assistant functionality through a software update. New and existing Dish customers without a voice remote can go here to check their eligibility for a free one.
Gentle Sleep & Wake for Philips Hue and Assistant
April 17, 2019: Philips Hue’s new Gentle Wake Up feature allows the Google Assistant to slowly brighten your lights 30 minutes before your alarm is set to go off. This effect simulates a sunrise which should bring you out of REM sleep gently and over time instead of jarringly at the sound of your alarm.
When the feature is rolled out, you will have to initially set it up by telling the Assistant, “Hey Google, turn on Gentle Wake Up.” After that, the Hue lights should naturally wake you up whenever you ask the Assistant to set an alarm.
Google Assistant in G Suite
April 10, 2019: Starting today, Google is starting to integrate Google Assistant into its G Suite. This will allow business users within the Google ecosystem to access Assistant tools just like they would do for their personal accounts. Believe it or not, this wasn’t possible before.
The Assistant integration within the G Suite — which is currently in a beta state — will start with Google Calendar. Business users will be able to sign in using their G Suite account (i.e., not their personal account) and ask Assistant schedule-related things. Business users will be able to perform these voice queries on their Android smartphone, Google Home device, and other devices yet to be confirmed.
Visual response design changes
April 5, 2019: Google has updated its virtual assistant with more responses that are appealing to the eyes. Google Assistant now issues the same response as the mobile browser does when looking up events near you, for example. Other examples include mortgage calculators, color pickers, a tip calculator, a bubble level, a metronome, and richer information for stocks.
Also, Assistant now shows the standard Google Search layout instead of the horizontal layout of boxes when you get a list of websites as a response. Showing the standard Search layout has the effect of also showing you Search ads within Assistant, the first time we’ve seen ads in Assistant.
Google Assistant X John Legend
April 3, 2019: If you live in the U.S. starting today you can give the Google Assistant the voice of John Legend.
Google first announced that Legend would appear as a voice for Google Assistant users nearly a year ago at Google I/O 2018. The company used a new AI technology called WaveNet to create a virtual version of Legend’s voice pattern, based on taking recorded samples of his real voice.
If you live in the U.S. and want to hear John Legend respond to some of your requests, just ask your Google Assistant-powered device — whether that be a Google Home or your Android phone — and say “Hey Google, talk like a Legend.” You can also go into the Assistant’s settings menu, select “Assistant voice,” then select John Legend’s voice.
Voice Match unlock removed
March 1, 2019: Google has removed the ability to use Voice Match to get past the lock screen for every Android device. Instead of fully unlocking your device, Voice Match now presents you with a list of “personal results” from Google Assistant.
he possible verbal and visual responses include emails, Google Calendar entries, contacts, reminders, memory aids, and shopping lists. If you want other results or full access to your phone, you’ll have to unlock the handset like you usually would.