What Is Google Assistant

Google Assistant

The Google Assistant is a "Virtual Assistant" based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed by the online giant Google. When it first launched, it was an extension of "Google Now" and was designed to be personal while expanding on their existing "OK Google" voice controls. By understanding your meetings and travel plans, the sports teams that you liked, your interests, where you work and other such personal data, it could present you with information that was relevant to you.

Google Now has long since been retired, but the Google Assistant lives on and is ever expanding - aiming to bring together those personalised elements with an ever-increasing range of voice control.

Google Assistant uses both voice and text entry and now offers voice commands, voice searching and voice-activated device control, but ultimately it's moving more and more away from being a purely reactive system. It's becoming more conversationally aware, so that it understands context as well as recognising voice profiles of different people, allowing it to tailor responses accordingly.

Since those early days, Google has now brought together a cohesive branding for all their Smart Speakers, Smart Screens and Smart Home devices - Google Nest - covering all hardware that either has the Google Assistant "built in" or devices that will "Work With" the Google Assistant.

Today, Google Assistant also has a companion App that can be used to install "Services" that enable integrations with other systems, control music, manage alarms and view todo lists. It can also be used to enable your smart phone or tablet for voice control itself, as well as offering a comprehensive Smart Home control user interface.

Being a Cloud based service Google Assistant is constantly updating and is continually learning, adding new functionality and Services to allow it to interact and control other systems. The more that you use it, the more it adapts to your voice, the way that you speak and your personal preferences.

From a Smart Home perspective, Google Assistant brings integration with many Smart Devices and systems such as Philips Hue, WeMo, Hive, Tado, Netatmo and the list is growing every day. And of course, the Google Nest range of hardware includes thermostats, smoke / CO alarms, cameras, doorbells and even WiFi equipment, all supported by the Google Assistant out-of-the-box. Now you can relax in your favourite arm chair and simply ask Google Assistant to set the perfect temperature with Nest, turn down the lights with Philips Hue or turn on/off devices around your home with supported smart switches.

Now that you know all about Google Assistant, make sure to read our Smart Home - Controllers and Why you Need Need One guide!

Connecting Google Nest Speakers and Screens

Setting up and using Google Nest Speakers and Screens is as easy as it gets.

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3

Open the Google Home App	Touch "Set Up device"	Touch "Set up new devices" and follow the Wizard!

Enabling Google Assistant Services

Connecting certified Works with Google Assistant devices is extremely easy and user friendly, requiring only a few clicks.

Google Assistant and Philips Hue


Google Assistant and Logitech Harmony
Step 1	Step 2	Step 3

Open the Google Home App, touch "Add Devices" and Link your Logitech Harmony Account	Select the Activities that you wish to use	Touch "Link Account" to complete the process!