Google Assistant Adds 15 New Actions – Here’s What’s New
Google Assistant continues to expand its capabilities with approximately 15 new actions now available on Google Home smart speakers. From financial insights to real-time transit updates, these enhancements make the virtual assistant more versatile than ever.
Key New Features
- The Motley Fool Integration: Track stock prices and create personalized watchlists.
- Latest Trump Tweet: Get real-time updates directly from the former president’s Twitter feed.
- BART Helper: Access real-time Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train schedules with intuitive voice commands.
Why These Updates Matter
Google has added over 40 actions in recent weeks, marking the platform’s most significant expansion since the Actions on Google launch in December 2016. These updates highlight Google’s commitment to making Assistant a one-stop solution for daily tasks.
Transit Tools: BART Helper vs. SF Transit
- BART Helper: Offers precise queries (e.g., “When is the next train from Oakland?”) and pulls data directly from BART’s API.
- SF Transit: Provides up to four upcoming train times but requires less intuitive phrasing.
Similar transit actions are now available for Singapore, London, and Dublin, catering to global users.
Quirky Additions: Silly Bean Chatbot
For those seeking entertainment, Silly Bean delivers unpredictable (and often hilarious) conversations. Though inconsistent—claiming to be both male and female within minutes—this decade-old bot excels at engagement, much like Microsoft’s Zo or the Hugging Face app.
Financial & Lifestyle Expansions
- Credit Card Helper: Offers tailored recommendations (though heavily favoring Chase, Wells Fargo, and Capital One).
- Hawaii Surf Report: The first surf-condition tracker on Google Assistant, catering to enthusiasts needing daily swell, tide, and water updates.
Broader Availability
While these actions are currently exclusive to Google Home, Assistant itself is now accessible on Android Marshmallow and Nougat devices, covering over 30% of active Android users.
The Future of Voice Assistants
With studies showing 40% of smart speaker usage revolves around music, Google recently added a Listen tab to its Home app, integrating Spotify, Pandora, and other streaming services. As Assistant evolves, expect even more niche and routine-focused features to emerge.
Stay tuned for further updates as Google continues to redefine voice-assisted convenience.
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