Google Assistant rolling out to Android Marshmallow and Nougat phones

Lastly, Allo is making it easier for you to access Google Assistant (currently available for Pixel devices only but coming soon to Marshmallow and Nougat phones) should you need its help. The update is begin rolling out now for Android and should come to Allo for Android “soon”.

Apart from the dedicated Google Assistant icon, the update brings along animated emojis to the app. While this is a welcome move from Microsoft, the one thing that is missing out from this update is the fact that users can not ask Cortana things, similar to how they do it in the Windows Phones. If you’re lucky, you may already have an update for Google Play Services which contains the new feature. Granted, the Pixel’s distribution and marketing still leave it as a niche device for now, but it’s acting essentially like an iPhone – dampening enthusiasm for the newest and shiniest Android phones by virtue of its superior technology.

Google Assistant can be launched by simply long pressing on the Home button and it will be activated.

The Assistant was announced in May previous year at the Google IO developer conference. Google is working to expand it more regions and offer it in more languages to accomplish its commitment to “make the Assistant available anywhere you need it“.

The Google Assistant is the tech giant’s answer to other popular virtual assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and Microsoft’s Cortana.

Also Read: Kid Wants Job With Google, Sundar Pichai Encourages Her! Google Assistant can understand natural speech and allows you to engage it in all sorts of communication. Older devices running KitKat and Lollipop will miss out, but some of those may be upgradeable to a more recent version of Android. So if you chance upon such an update, it means that your phone is getting Assistant. Android M, for one, commands nearly 31 percent of the market share.

Now Google Assistant is the smart assistant, which is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning.