At I/O 2017 Google announced that its IoT smart home assistant platform Google Home is set to come to Canada this summer.
A specific release date was not announced for the device, but we’ll update this story when we get additional details from Google Canada.
Other announcements include the fact that hands-free calling is set to come to Google Home, though the feature will only be available in the U.S. at launch. Users, however, will be able to make calls within the U.S. and Canada via Google Home.
Coming soon to #GoogleHome: hands-free calling. Call businesses, friends and family in the 🇺🇸 and 🇨🇦, even if you can’t reach your 📱 #io17 pic.twitter.com/hvG6wtS9qf
— Google (@Google) May 17, 2017
Until now Google has been racing to improve the feature integration in its Google Home smart speaker in an effort to catch up with Amazon’s Echo. Today at I/O Google announced the ability to control HBO Now, Hulu (streaming platforms only available in the U.S.) as well as other platforms, via voice commands.
In a surprising move, the company revealed plans to add Bluetooth audio support to Google Home as well. Finally, Google also announced that soon users will be able to ask Home things like, “show me my calendar on TV,” or “show me nearby restaurants on TV,” with the results being displayed on a connected smart television. Google says this feature will not arrive for some time and that it will be very limited at launch.
Amazon still has not announced the Canadian release of any of its voice-activated IoT Echo devices. When asked about Canadian pricing and a specific release date, Google Canada released the following statement:
“We’re excited to bring Google Home to Canadians. We have no additional news to share at this time.”
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