Google Assistant Can Now Broadcast to Compatible Speakers, Acting Like an Intercom

As promised back at the launch of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google on Monday started rolling out an update that will allow you to use the company's Home speakers as intercom systems in your house. Starting Tuesday, people can broadcast their voice from Google Assistant on smartphones or voice-activated Google Assistant-enabled speakers like Google Home. The message will then be broadcast to all Google Assistant-enabled speakers associated with the user.

"When you need to round up the family in the morning, just say 'Ok Google, broadcast it's time for school!' and your message will broadcast to all Google Assistant-enabled speakers in your home," Alex Duong, Product Manager, Google Home, said in a blog post.

Google adds that for certain 'everyday tasks', the Assistant will send a playful message. For example, if users say, "Ok Google, broadcast it's dinner time" and a dinner bell will ring on all Google Home devices.

As mentioned, Google had announced in October that users with Google Assistant will soon broadcast messages via Google Home devices - while launching the Google Home Mini and Google Home Max alongside, giving users more Google-branded smart speaker options to populate their house with.

"And if you're just leaving the office, you can let your family know you're coming with a simple 'Ok Google, broadcast I'm on my way home!' to the Assistant on your phone, and it will broadcast to your Google Homes," the blog read.

To get the broadcast feature to work, users will need sign in with the same Google Account for all devices. The feature is rolling out to Google Assistant-enabled smartphones and smart speakers set to the English language in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Support for more languages will be coming soon, Google added.

Written with inputs from IANS