Google Assistant Lock Screen Access Will Soon Be Available To More Android Device

Google has today announced that it's artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant will be accessible on the lock screens of more Android device.

First announced in October 2018 at Google's hardware event, the software giant made the lock screen access feature for Google Assistant available for the Pixel 3 device alone. Now the company says the feature won't be limited to its Pixel device alone.


The ability for Android users to be able to access Google Smart Assistant on locked screens will solve the issue of having to wake up your Android device each time you want to make a voice command.

According to TechCrunch, anyone Android user that wants to enable the feature will have to opt-in --as in, you will have to tick the box in the security settings for the feature to be made available on your device.

Once a user enables it, he or she will be able to schedule reminders, turn off alarms, make a call, open any app, search the web and do other things without having to go through the hassle of waking their device from sleep.

So far, there is no word on when the feature will be arriving.

Jbl Link View Powered By Google Assistant Smart Display Up For Pre-Order

The first Google powered Assistant-smart display was launched last week by Lenovo -- the Lenovo Smart Display. And now another smart display made by JBL is ready for pre-order!

 First spotted by 9to5google, the Link View is a Google Assistant powered smart display made by JBL. The JBL smart display was announced at the same time as the Lenovo Smart Display during CES 2018. However, JBL has been quite about the smart display until recent.

So what are the specs of the JBL Link View?

The Link View spec similar features with that of Lenovo's Smart Display, though the Link View beats Lenovo's Smart Display in its terms of sound quality and other features.

As expected, the Link View comes with a built-in Google Assistant display -- an 8-inch display and a 5 MP front-facing camera for Duo calls. It also comes with a switch for covering the camera and muting the mic, and is also IPX4 splash-proof which a very needed feature when used in the kitchen and bathrooms.


The key selling point for the Link View is JBL's legendary sound which turns out to be one of Lenovo model's shortcomings. The smart display comes equipped with two 51nm 10W drivers to deliver users with a crazy sound quality!

As it is with smart displays, the Link View can be used to display the time, weather, schedule tasks, YouTube videos, recipes, look up information on Google and perform other tasks.

The Link View is selling for $250 which is the same price as that of Lenovo's Smart Display. Pre-orders are open right now on JBL's site. Click here to pre-order.

Google-powered smart displays are also expected from LG and Sony, though there little or no information on when its gonna get released.

Jbl Link View Powered By Google Assistant Smart Display Up For Pre-Order

The first Google powered Assistant-smart display was launched last week by Lenovo -- the Lenovo Smart Display. And now another smart display made by JBL is ready for pre-order!

 First spotted by 9to5google, the Link View is a Google Assistant powered smart display made by JBL. The JBL smart display was announced at the same time as the Lenovo Smart Display during CES 2018. However, JBL has been quite about the smart display until recent.

So what are the specs of the JBL Link View?

The Link View spec similar features with that of Lenovo's Smart Display, though the Link View beats Lenovo's Smart Display in its terms of sound quality and other features.

As expected, the Link View comes with a built-in Google Assistant display -- an 8-inch display and a 5 MP front-facing camera for Duo calls. It also comes with a switch for covering the camera and muting the mic, and is also IPX4 splash-proof which a very needed feature when used in the kitchen and bathrooms.


The key selling point for the Link View is JBL's legendary sound which turns out to be one of Lenovo model's shortcomings. The smart display comes equipped with two 51nm 10W drivers to deliver users with a crazy sound quality!

As it is with smart displays, the Link View can be used to display the time, weather, schedule tasks, YouTube videos, recipes, look up information on Google and perform other tasks.

The Link View is selling for $250 which is the same price as that of Lenovo's Smart Display. Pre-orders are open right now on JBL's site. Click here to pre-order.

Google-powered smart displays are also expected from LG and Sony, though there little or no information on when its gonna get released.

Android Users Can Control Their Phone Hands-Free With Google Voice Access

Google has released an app that allow Android users to control their device with out having to physically touch or operate it.

The app which is called Voice Access was released by the Internet giant to help people who cannot access their device touch screen due to certain chronic or temporary reasons access their phone with only voice commands.

Actions that can performed on the Voice Access app includes; navigating through apps, compose and editing text, talking to Google Assistant, and also the ability to create gestures with certain voice commands

According to Google Patrick Clary, Product manager, Central accessibility Team, Google:

 "When using the Voice Access, you can compose and edit a text measure hands free by saying 'Ok Google,' and open your favourite app with the 'open' command. Then, select the text field by speaking the number Voice Access displays next to it. After saying your message out loud, like 'would you like to meet for lunch tomorrow?' you can edit the text using phrases like 'replace tomorrow with Saturday' to change the way you want to meet." 


Google explained that the Voice Assistant app is focused towards users with issues such as sclerosis, arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Spinal cord injury and other disabilities. The Internet giant also made it known that the app can also be of help to those who are busy and can't use their hands at that moment to operate their device. Such as people in the kitchen, those jogging, or those whose hands have been occupied in one way or the other.

Those interested in the app can download it from the Google Play Store and then go to settings - Accessibility and then turn on the Voice Access switch. For those who just downloaded the app, a setup walk through and tutorial on how to use the app will be shown to the user.

To take advantage of the Voice Access app, users will need to activate the 'Ok Google' command so that it can be called upon anytime without having to press the home key. Find a list of Google's voice commands here.

The Voice Access app has been available since April 2016 in a beta state, and the Voice Access s available globally in English for now. However, Google said that additional language support will be coming in the future.

Huawei Launches A $60 Ai Speaker In China With Its Own Virtual Assistant

Huawei has launched a cheap AI speaker in a move to strengthen its stand in the smart speaker market.

The launch which took place in China during the Chinese smartphone maker's launch of the Huawei Mate 20 saw the release of other products which included a smart watch, and a wireless charger.

At first glance, one might mistake the smart speaker for an Apple HomePod when viewed or an Amazon Echo Dot (the Huawei smart speaker's design is a mixture of both the Apple HomePod and Amazon EchoDot architecture).

Unlike Huawei's Al Cube which runs on Google Virtual Assistant, the Huawei AI smart speaker was made strictly for the Chinese market and thus, is powered by Huawei's Chinese voice assistant called Xiaoyi.


The smart speaker has 6 microphones for users to interact with the virtual assistant. There are four buttons on the which are; Mute, +, -, and a button for calls.

The smart speakers voice control is similar to that of Google Assistant, and can as well differentiate between different users voice to help the users interact in a more dynamic way.

To build for consumers a smart product rather than just a speaker, the Chinese has partnered with Dynaudio to use its tech in its AI speaker. The speaker comes packed with 10-watts capability and a 'Histen' algorithm to improve its sound and performance.

There's a Huawei merk name on the top side, a single cord at the back and it measures 2.25 in height.

Unlike the Apple's HomePod and the Amazaon Echos that are expensive, this Huawei AI smart speaker is priced at 399 Yuan (about $60) in China.

Lg Launches It's Smart Display With In-Built Chromecast, Sales For $199 ($100 Off)

LG has launch its Google Assistant smart display today, and is taking off $100 for the gadget for a limited period of time.

The LG smart display, XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9, sports similar specs that we've seen on JBL's Link View, and Facebook's Portal.
 WK9 comes with an 8-inch touch display, a camera for Duo video calls, built-in Chromecast, Google's Android Things-based smart display OS and other features.

The smart display comes with 20W XBOOM artificial intelligence speakers to give the WK9 a distinct sound. LG partnered with Meridian Audio for the audio output. According to LG, the XBOOM AI speakers produces a sound quality which is exceptional and beautifully balanced.

As a Google Assistant, the WK9 responds to "Hey Google" or "OK Google" voice command to control home your smart home devices, lookup stuff on the Internet and performs other actions. The WK9 smart display can also be used to control LG's home appliances such as Air conditioner, Watching machine, Robot Vacuum, Air Purifier, Refrigerator and more.

Launched in the US, LG is selling the smart display Google Assistant for $300 which is the most expensive smart display on the market. However, the electronic giant is offering $100 off the product for the holiday season.

The LG product is available for purchase on LG's website, and also on B&H.

LG plans to later launch the WK9 smart display assistant in other markets around the world.