On top of announcing Android O and Google Lens, Google also announced that Google Assistant is now available on the iPhone as a standalone app. iPhone users will finally be able to use the Google’s personal assistant to tell it to perform tasks such as make a call, play some music, and much more, through a natural conversation.
Google Assistant for iOS is available on iOS 9.1 and above. Sadly though, it will not be able to work exactly like it does on Google Assistant for Android devices due to API restrictions. Still, you can ask it to do simple things like:
- Make quick phone calls (e.g. “Call Mom.”)
Send text messages (e.g. “Text my bestie.”)
Send emails (e.g. “Email your boss the latest TPS report.”)
Set reminders (e.g. “Remind me to buy a birthday gift for Sarah.”)
Set calendar events (e.g. “Set a calendar event for dinner with Charlie tomorrow from 7-9.”)
Play music (e.g. “Play Jazz music on Youtube.”)
Navigate to places (e.g. “Get me directions home.”)
Ask it anything (e.g. “Will I need an umbrella today?”)
Google Assistant was previously only available through Google Allo messaging app for iPhone. Both are very similar, but a brief test shows that Google Assistant is a lot faster on its standalone app, and can perform more tasks such as sending SMS and making phone calls.
The most interesting thing about Google Assistant would definitely the ability to use natural conversation. You can ask Assistant something, continue with the same topic in your next query, and Google Assistant will be able to reply you accordingly. This is something that Siri can’t do, for now at least, so if you’re using an iPhone and need a companion that is more entertaining than Siri, try out Google Assistant now.
Google Assistant for iOS is only available in the U.S. at launch. If you have an iTunes account tied to an address in the U.S., you may download Google Assistant in the App Store right away.
