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Google Home Max discontinued as last available units sell out
Google confirmed that it will no longer manufacturer the Google Home Max, ending a three-year run for the behemoth speaker.
Google’s larger-than-life Home Max is being retired, the company confirmed on Monday. After three years on the market — its anniversary was December 11 — Google said the last remaining units in its store have been sold, with no plans to manufacture new stock. It’s the end of an era for Google’s monstrous HiFi speaker.
Apple Music rolls out for Google Assistant-enabled smart speakers and displays
Google has announced that Google Assistant-enabled smart speakers and displays now support Apple Music in the U.S. and other regions.
The fire’s going, hot chocolate is made, and snow is falling outside. Now, the only thing you need is to play some relaxing holiday music. Speaking of which, Google announced on Monday that Apple Music is now available on Google Assistant-enabled smart speakers and displays.
Grab the Google Home Max for just $150, half off, during Black Friday deals!
The Google Home Max, Google's big smart speaker that provides a powerful listening experience, is now half off at $150 for Black Friday!
Black Friday is the perfect opportunity if you want to buy home appliances and smart home products, and Google has, through the years, released a whole bunch of smart speakers. So if you're on the fence on one of their products, now is the perfect time to pull the trigger. Google's products are pretty special because they connect with Google Assistant and allow you to do things such as stream music, control your IoT home appliances, and much more. The Google Home Max is one of the higher-end ones currently available, and right now, you can hop on an amazing deal from Best Buy and grab it for just $150, half-off its original $300 MSRP.
Insignia Smart Speaker gets Speaker Pairing like the Google Home Max
The Insignia Smart Speaker now has the ability do "speaker pairing" with other smart speakers, which was previously limited to only the Google Home Max.
The Google Home line of devices is Google's own Assistant-enabled smart speakers. However, they are not the only Google Assistant-enabled speakers on the market. Insignia, which is Best Buy's in-house brand, has an affordable speaker/alarm clock with Assistant built-in. The device now has the ability to pair with other smart speakers, which was previously limited to only the Google Home Max.
Google Home can now control your NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV
For the longest time, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV didn't work well with Google Home. Finally, that is changing along with some other welcomed features.
As an NVIDIA SHIELD TV owner, one of the frustrating things about the device is how it doesn't work great with Google Home/Google Assistant. Chromecast devices work really well with Google Home, but the SHIELD does not, despite the fact that it has "Chromecast built-in." For the longest time, it was not possible to start a Netflix video on the SHIELD with Google Home. Finally, that is changing along with some other welcomed features.
Google Assistant multi-language support rolls out for 6 languages
Now, you can select two languages and Google Assistant will automatically detect the language you are speaking with and use that to respond.
So far, we've seen a lot of great devices at IFA 2018. The Sony Xperia XZ3, BlackBerry KEY2 LE, ZTE Axon 9, and Honor Play, to name a few. But Google doesn't want to be forgotten. The company has announced a big new feature for Google Assistant that makes it possible to understand multiple languages at once.
Google fixes Play Music library issues in Google Assistant
Google has finally fixed the Google Assistant so that it can play purchased and uploaded music from your Google Play Music library on Google Home.
Google has finally fixed one of the biggest annoyances with the Google Assistant in recent months. For whatever reason, while the Google Assistant (and the Google Home) could play music, you couldn't play your uploaded or purchased songs on Google Play Music. It's a huge issue for those with devices that portray themselves as home entertainment devices such as the Google Home Max. Not being able to play your own music is a pretty big issue, but Google has finally fixed it. Previously, it was very limited in terms of what you could actually listen to as a free user of Google Play Music.
"Disable YouTube for guests" on Google Home rolling out for some iOS users
Google Home has a new option for “Disable YouTube for guests.” The description explains how this will disable the YouTube services for unrecognized voices.
To the surprise of no one, Google Home devices have tight integration with Google services. That includes everything from Google Calendar to Google Play Music. The YouTube family of services, of course, is also included in the bunch. You can use Google Home to send videos to a Chromecast device, tune in to a specific channel on YouTube TV, and play music with YouTube Music. It looks like Google is rolling out some restrictions on who can control these services.
Turning off/on lights via Google Home now only controls lights in the same room as the speaker
Previously, if you said "turn off lights," it would turn off all the lights. Now it will only control lights in the same room as the Google Home.
Home automation doesn't require smart speakers, just like smart speakers are useful for more than home automation. But the two make a great combination. It's super handy to be able to control things around your house with your voice. One of the most basic functions is turning lights on and off. Google Home can, of course, do this, but now it works a little differently.
Google Assistant fast forward & rewind voice controls now work on all devices
The Google Assistant can now fast forward and rewind your music on your smartphone. It's not without its kinks just yet, though.
Google has released a number of exclusive features for the Google Home's virtual assistant. With the ability to chain together commands and access more in-depth music controls, it's better than the Assistant on phones. Google hasn't forgotten about us regular people though, and you're now able to fast forward and rewind music with just your voice. It works on Android, Android TV, Chromebooks, and Android Auto, according to a report from AndroidCentral. It looks like all you need is the Google Assistant.
Ordering from Starbucks, Applebee's, & Dunkin' Donuts now available in Google Assistant
At Google I/O 2018, Google announced that food delivery services would be making their way into Google Assistant. It seems like support for mobile orders through Google Assistant just started to roll out for Starbucks, Applebee's, Dunkin' Donuts, Domino's Pizza, Panera Bread, and more.
At Google I/O 2018, Google announced that food delivery and more restaurant services would be making their way into Google Assistant. The services mentioned such as Starbucks, Applebee's, and Dunkin' Donuts are now rolling out support for ordering food via Google Assistant on all supported Assistant devices.
Google Assistant: Amazing Things to Try
Google Assistant can be downright magical when it works. If you're looking for some new amazing tricks to try on your phone or Google Home, we've got you covered with this list.
Google Assistant made its debut on the Google Home and Allo in 2016. It has since spread to most Android phones as well as the Google Home Mini and other smart devices. Assistant is one of the best new features to come out of Google in a long time. You can use your voice to harness the vast knowledge of Google and get things done. When it works, Assistant can be downright magical. If you're looking for some new amazing tricks to try on your phone or Google Home, we've got you covered with this list.