Google App v6.13 to bring Google Assistant to non-Pixels, or at least maybe
Google's personal assistant, quite creatively called Google Assistant, is so far only officially available on the Pixel and Pixel XL, as smartphones go. However, a new alpha release of the Google app (v6.13) for users signed up to the beta channel suggests that might be changing in the near future.
The folks over at Android Police report that the app enables the Assistant by holding the Home button (instead of Now on Tap) on at least one Galaxy Note5 (running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow) and a Nexus 6P (latest 7.1.1 Nougat). Then again, another Nexus 6P refuses to behave this way, so it's only down to speculation what set of conditions need to be met.
Google Assistant: On a Nexus 6P • On Galaxy Note5
Non-Pixels aside, the new version of the Google app enables adding payment information to Assistant, so you can have it pay for stuff for you. Additionally, v6.13 adds a recent searches page and a lite mode.
You can click on the source link below to download the APK, but be sure to read the warnings first.
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Reader comments
- Anonymous
- 13 Feb 2017
- GQS
I don't get all the hype with Google Assistant being available on Pixel devices... and only now being made available to non-pixels via a new version of Google App. Maybe all this for accessing Google Assistant directly with a single button... otherwi...
- AnonD-92238
- 13 Feb 2017
- gMJ
It's fun to use. Has more functionality than now
- AnonD-625786
- 12 Feb 2017
- 0@7
That's awesome if it's going to be available to non-Pixel devices! I've tried it on my P9, doesn't work - but hopefully it will in the stable release :)
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