All articles tagged with #assistant
Google is committed to restoring trust in its smart home ecosystem by focusing on existing products and users, despite past issues with Assistant and hardware discontinuations, with new features and updates like Gemini rollout aimed at improving user experience.
Google's Gemini app will soon enable basic smart assistant features on Android devices even when the 'Activity' setting is disabled, allowing users to access certain extensions like calling, messaging, and utilities without saving conversation data for more than 72 hours, ahead of Gemini replacing Google Assistant later this year.
Google's Gemini AI is now available on iOS through the Google app, allowing users to interact with the AI using text, voice, images, and the camera. While iPhone users won't have a dedicated app like on Android, they can enable Gemini within the Google app and access features such as generating code, creating custom images, and providing summaries of complex topics. However, certain functionalities, like contextual help on any screen, are restricted to Android phones, and Apple is reportedly working on new AI features for iPhones in the future.
The Gemini app is expanding its availability to more countries in English and iOS, with Google promoting it in Assistant. The rollout has started in English in more countries and will continue over the next few days. Google is also making the app available via the Play Store and is working on adding more Assistant features to Gemini. Additionally, the Gemini app is now part of the Google app for iPhone users, although it is not related to the Search Generative Experience.
The author expresses frustration over the potential unavailability of Assistant with Bard on certain Google devices, particularly the Pixel Fold, and criticizes the trend of exclusive features on specific devices within the Android ecosystem. The article questions Google's strategy with Bard and Gemini, highlighting concerns about fragmentation and user experience.
Google is considering renaming "Assistant with Bard" to "Gemini," as revealed in the latest version of the Google app beta. This potential rebranding also extends to "Bard Advanced," which may become "Gemini Advanced." The move has sparked speculation about the implications of introducing new Large Language Models and the impact on product names. Additionally, the Google app 15.4 version suggests that YouTube Music will become a Bard Extension, allowing users to connect and manage their playlists and preferences.
Google has begun the process of deleting 17 Assistant features from its Nest Hub products, citing a focus on the most commonly used features and making way for a likely replacement, Bard. Users will receive notifications about the features being phased out, with most disappearing by February 26th. This move has sparked dissatisfaction among users, some of whom were unaware of the features being removed. Additionally, Assistant has faced criticism for inconsistency in understanding and completing requests, with Bard expected to offer a more natural language understanding and improved user experience.
Google is introducing Bard to Google Messages, a feature that can help users write messages, translate languages, identify images, and explore interests. Bard can be initiated from the "New conversation" screen and offers various prompts such as drafting messages, suggesting books, and providing recipes. Users can interact with Bard-generated responses and provide feedback. However, chats with Bard are not end-to-end encrypted and may be used to improve Google services, with reviewed data retained for up to 3 years.
Google is laying off hundreds of employees across its Voice Assistant, hardware, and engineering teams, including Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman. The layoffs are part of the company's efforts to cut costs and align resources with its biggest product priorities. The reorganization comes as Google and other tech companies are investing in generative artificial intelligence technology, with Google planning to add AI capabilities to its virtual assistant.
Vin Diesel is facing a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery brought by his former assistant. The lawsuit alleges that Diesel made unwanted advances and engaged in inappropriate behavior towards the assistant.
Vin Diesel is being sued by a former assistant who alleges that in 2010 he sexually assaulted her by pinning her against a wall, groping her, and forcing her to touch his erect penis. The lawsuit also claims that Diesel's sister, Samantha Vincent, fired the assistant after the incident. The lawsuit was filed under California's Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, and it also includes claims of gender discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, and negligent supervision.
Maryland Democratic Senator Ben Cardin expresses anger and disappointment over a sex tape involving one of his assistants, Aidan Maese-Czeropski. Cardin confirms that Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the Senate and states that appropriate steps were taken. The incident has raised concerns about staff morale and potential legal implications, as the video was recorded in an official Senate building. Maese-Czeropski has faced criticism for past statements and has acknowledged poor judgment. Capitol Police are investigating the case, with potential consequences depending on whether Maese-Czeropski entered the room on official Senate business.
New details have emerged about Matthew Perry's last days before his death, revealing that he was living with his assistant, Kenny Iwamasa, in a Beverly Hills rental property. Perry had moved out of his Pacific Palisades home, which was undergoing renovations, and had been living in the three-bedroom hillside home for over a year. Iwamasa is suspected to be the person who discovered Perry unresponsive in the hot tub. Perry's official cause of death remains deferred pending toxicology reports, but prescription anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and a COPD drug were found in his home. Perry's loved ones and "Friends" co-stars expressed their heartbreak over his tragic loss.
Google's "Bard," an early experiment in generative AI, may not be getting a name change as previously expected. Despite being referred to as an "early experiment," Bard was announced alongside the Pixel 8 and seems to have a distinct use case from the Google Search Generative Experience. The author suggests alternative names such as "Google Chat" or rebranding Bard as "Assistant" to better convey its utility. The author also speculates that the "with Bard" qualifier may eventually disappear, and expresses surprise that the new Assistant remains exclusive to Pixel devices.
Robert De Niro's former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, testified in court during an ongoing trial, accusing the actor of making "creepy" and "disgusting" requests that made her feel "physically uncomfortable." She claimed that De Niro asked her to scratch his back and referred to her as a derogatory term multiple times. De Niro admitted to requesting a back scratch but denied any disrespect. The trial will determine the outcome of both Robinson's $12 million lawsuit against De Niro for gender discrimination and De Niro's lawsuit against Robinson for alleged misuse of company accounts.