Wow, edition four of the Voice Search Babble has come around quickly!
This week at ROAST’s office more Google Home Mini’s and an Amazon Echo Dot have arrived, which we managed to grab discounted as part of Black Friday. Multiple retailers in the UK had significant discounts on Google and Amazon devices – part of another push to get devices into the hands (or houses) of users.
Broadcast a message to multiple Google speakers
I was lucky to live in a three story house as a kid: come tea time my mum or dad would have to shout “tea’s ready” to multiple people on multiple different floors. My dad ended up installing a wired incom system (it was overkill really, the house wasn’t that big). 25 years later, you can now broadcast a message to all devices telling everyone that it’s tea time. You can even ask who wants a brew.
It’s pretty spooky as it’s your voice read out by the assistant.
More details here : http://mashable.com/2017/11/13/google-home-assistant-broadcast-feature/
Turn your Google home or Alexa device wireless
https://ninety7life.com/ are producing accessories for Google Home and Alexa devices which turn your device wireless. For just under $50, you can get a battery which the Home or Alexa device slots into to give you power on the go. However, you’ll still need a Wifi connection to use the device, which makes taking to the great outdoors a little difficult.
More details here : http://mashable.com/2017/11/13/amazon-echo-dot-dox/
New updates to developers for Google Assistant Actions
There are a handful of new features for developers making Google Assistant Actions. The standout one is to start a conversation on a voice device and then send it to mobile, so you could be ordering food with your Google Home device and then have the order sent to your phone screen to check the order.
More details here : https://developers.googleblog.com/2017/11/help-users-find-interact-re-engage-with.html
Apple HomePod delayed to 2018
Apple’s first attempt at a smart speaker device has been delayed to 2018. The original launch date for the “HomePod” was December, but it’s now been scheduled for “early 2018.”
More details here : http://www.nasdaq.com/article/apple-slips-delays-homepod-amazon-echo-competitor-to-2018-cm879271
Trial with smart speakers to aid supportive living
A £15,000 trial is under way with smart speaker technology to help people with learning disabilities live more independently. The Innovate Trust is testing the use of devices such as the Amazon Echo with five people.
More details here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42029859
Estee Lauder launch Skincase Action
Estee Lauder have launched an action for Google Home devices, called the Estée Lauder Nighttime Expert, giving consumers a personalized evening skincare routine
More details here : https://www.mobilemarketer.com/news/estee-lauder-unveils-skincare-tips-on-google-home/511197/
Best of the Rest
Why Google Home Has Hard Time Recognizing The Smash Hit ‘Despacito’
Google Home is Finally Getting Support for Multiple Calendars
Amazon’s Echo Buttons available to order in time for holiday trivia games
Deloitte tool links super funds to Google Home to tell you when you can retire
JT Hughes Group tests website voice search function
Google Home: Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph (AUS) to receive the perfect personal assistant
Alexa, Nein! Police break into German man’s house after music device ‘held party on its own