voice assistant Archives

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

March builds on Google Home automations, expands Nest’s Yale Lock support

Google Home is implementing significant updates in March, including improvements to the Gemini voice assistant's interaction with smart home devices through room-level commands. Users can now issue commands like "turn off the kitchen," targeting specific devices. The update introduces new automation triggers, such as "Security system is armed" and "Device is plugged in." Google is also expanding its partnership with Yale Smart Lock, allowing users to view lock history and receive notifications through the Google Home app. The Gemini update enhances voice assistant capabilities, utilizing users' home addresses for contextually relevant responses, and improving accuracy for commands related to notes, reminders, calendars, and alarms. Additional features include enhanced responses for informational queries, fewer interruptions during speech, increased reliability for automations, improved accuracy in playing new songs, and a new “Live Search” feature for Google Home Premium subscribers. A software patch for Nest Wifi Pro is also set to enhance security and performance. Gemini for Home was first unveiled in late 2022, with early access starting in October, and users have reported positive experiences with features like "Ask Home."

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

4 Essential Android Smartwatch Apps You Should Always Install First

Google Gemini's Wear OS app is a successor to Google Assistant, offering voice control, AI-driven reasoning, and automation for tasks like checking the weather, sending messages, and managing smart home devices. It enhances fitness app management, allowing users to control workouts without touching the device. Gemini integrates with Google services for real-time health inquiries and improves email productivity by summarizing and drafting responses. Google Keep is a note-taking app that allows text and voice input for capturing ideas and creating lists on an Android smartwatch. It features quick access through watch tiles and complications but lacks full editing capabilities. Strava is a fitness tracking app that allows users to monitor activities directly from their smartwatch, using built-in GPS to log routes and metrics. It syncs data to the mobile app after workouts, though social features are limited on the watch. SleepisolBio is a sleep management app that tracks heart rate and sleep patterns, offering therapy options and personalized recommendations. It operates on a freemium model, providing many features for free, but requires smartphone setup for effective use on a smartwatch.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

Google Assistant could shut down for Android Auto in March 2026

Google Assistant will remain available on Android Auto until March 2026. The transition to Gemini has begun, with the rollout starting on November 20, 2025. A support document indicates uncertainty about Google Assistant's future on other platforms. Initially, Google planned to phase out Google Assistant by March 2025 on most mobile devices, but this timeline may be extended. Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on most mobile devices and will understand the same commands while allowing for more natural speech.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Google’s Gemini is now on Android Auto

Android Auto users can now use Google's Gemini AI assistant, which offers a conversational voice assistant for tasks like directions, managing messages, and errands. To access Gemini, users need to download a dedicated app on their Android devices, which will then appear on the car's infotainment display. Activation can be done by saying “Hey Google,” tapping the microphone icon, or long-pressing the voice control button. Gemini is exclusive to Android Auto and is not available for Apple CarPlay. Future updates may bring Gemini to vehicles with built-in Android operating systems. The assistant can handle complex tasks, engage in casual conversation, and help with various requests while keeping drivers focused on the road. However, there are concerns about potential cognitive distraction from using voice assistants in vehicles.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Gemini for Android Auto is starting to replace Google Assistant

Gemini is being introduced as a replacement for Google Assistant on select Android Auto systems, marking a significant transition in Google's rollout of Gemini, which has already been implemented on Android, Wear OS, and Google Home. Users have begun noticing Gemini in various beta builds due to a server-side update. The initial announcement of Gemini's integration into vehicles was made during Google I/O, with indications that it would be available "this fall." Reports indicate that users started experiencing Gemini in their vehicles on November 5, linked to Android Auto versions 15.6 and 15.7 in beta testing. Gemini retains the "Hey Google" wake word and offers enhanced natural-language processing capabilities and Gemini Live support for real-time conversations. It also integrates with Google Maps for smarter navigation and can translate text messages in over 40 languages. Users have found Gemini effective in managing complex requests and remembering personal preferences, with broader access expected soon as Android Auto is integrated into approximately 250 million vehicles.

AppWizard

September 28, 2025

My life would be a mess without these 8 productivity apps

- Notion is used for quick brain dumps and storing essential information, serving as a digital right hemisphere for idea flow. - Google Keep is preferred for immediate content capture, with voice assistant integration and widgets for daily tasks and shopping lists. - Google Calendar is maintained for organizing multiple personal and shared calendars, crucial for daily agenda management. - Tomato is used for the Pomodoro Method with a 30/5 split, featuring customizable timers and a user-friendly interface. - Samsung Food assists in meal planning with an ingredient-based search feature for cataloging recipes. - Phone Link connects a phone to a Windows PC, allowing notification reception and screen mirroring to minimize distractions. - Niagara Launcher is chosen for its minimalist design, enabling easy access to frequently used apps and functions. - Raindrop.io is utilized for saving and organizing articles for later reading, replacing the defunct Pocket.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Apple Built a ChatGPT-Like App You’ll—Likely—Never Get to Use

Apple has introduced an internal tool called Veritas, a chatbot application used by employees to aid in the development of Siri's upcoming AI enhancements. Veritas serves as a testing ground for generative AI technology and is not intended for public release. It allows Apple staff to manage conversations, store chats, and engage in dialogues on various topics. The tool supports the internal testing of new technologies for Siri, which is undergoing a significant overhaul codenamed Linwood, aimed at making Siri a more powerful personal assistant. This project has faced delays due to engineering challenges and has resulted in changes to Apple’s AI leadership. The upgraded Siri is expected to debut as early as March, with ongoing negotiations with external partners, including Google. Apple is also planning a redesigned voice assistant and AI-driven web search functionalities for future releases.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Google’s strategy to grow Gemini seems to be working

Google's Gemini app has over 450 million monthly active users as of Q2 2025, with daily requests increasing by more than 50% since the start of the year. The app surpassed 400 million users in May 2025. Gemini has become the default voice assistant on Android devices, replacing Google Assistant, which likely contributed to its growth.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Google Home kicks off a Gemini-backed ‘Voice Assistant’ test for Android

Google Home's app on Android is rolling out a Public Preview test called "Voice Assistant," which allows users to control access to the experimental AI feature, Gemini, on their smart home devices. Gemini was first tested on Nest devices last December and is now being integrated into Google Home with improved AI-generated automations and new features. The "Voice Assistant" experiment enables users to manage how household members can access Assistant experiments, but requires "Voice Match" setup for access. Gemini enhances the Assistant's capabilities by providing more comprehensive answers and allowing follow-up questions. At the I/O 2025 event, Google announced additional features for Google Home, including a "Home Summary" widget for Pixel devices and improvements to the "help me create" feature for automation.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

I tested Gemini’s driving experience at Google I/O

Google is set to launch the Gemini update for Android Auto, enhancing hands-free functionality for drivers. The update will feature different experiences based on vehicle compatibility, with around 250 million cars supporting Android Auto and about 50 models equipped with Google built-in. Gemini allows for voice control independent of an Android smartphone, enabling tasks like adjusting climate settings through natural language commands. Vehicles with Google built-in will have access to the Google Play Store and integrated car manuals. Gemini will also include offline capabilities and streamline trip planning via voice commands. Most features will be available across all vehicles with Android Auto, with a rollout expected in the coming months. The pre-release version showed improved reliability over the previous Google Assistant.