YouTube Music gets new features, including Google Assistant recommendations on Nest speakers

Google is integrating YouTube Music more into its ecosystem. Now, the streaming app gains new features for Google Assistant, Android TV, and Google Maps.

Google Assistant on newer Nest speakers can now recommend music. All you need to say is, "Hey Google, play recommended music from YouTube Music." It will then offer personalized music suggestions, like favourite artists and genres, based on your listening history. The same feature won't work on Google Home devices, though.

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Samsung, Google reportedly in talks to replace Bixby with Google Assistant

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If this new Reuters report is accurate, then Samsung might finally be ready to let its Bixby virtual assistant and Galaxy Apps Store take a backseat to Google's offerings. The two tech giants are reportedly discussing a new global revenue-sharing deal where Samsung prioritizes Google Assistant and Play Store apps over its options. It's something Google has been trying to convince Samsung to do for years. But now, the search company is reportedly offering a percentage of its ad revenue from Google apps running on Samsung phones. 

Samsung said it has no plans to drop Bixby or Galaxy Store from its devices. In a statement, it mentioned that the company is "committed to our own services and ecosystem." But this deal is supposedly enticing, given that the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down smartphone sales. Samsung could find a new revenue source through this deal. The exact financial details aren't known, but the terms will reportedly be finalized by Friday. Or at least that is the target day. Samsung's services haven't exactly caught on as much as the company would like it to, and perhaps, it might be time for Samsung to raise the white flag.

Google Assistant adds open support for speakers, streaming boxes, etc.

Google expands the support for Google Assistant by allowing developers to connect a variety of smart home entertainment devices to the virtual assistant. These include audio-video receivers, streaming boxes, streaming sticks, soundbars/streaming soundbars, and speakers. This new announcement makes the documentation public, allowing more device makers to integrate their products to the Google Assistant ecosystem. 

Google also introduces support for viewing and selecting TV channels using Google Assistant, making it more useful for TV users. But these features won't be outright available, device makers still need to develop new products or integrate Google Assistant into their lineup. Google will be talking about these new features at its "Hey Google" Smart Home Virtual Summit on July 8.

Source: Google, Via: 9to5Google

Google Assistant tests broadcast feature for specific rooms

Right now, when you use Google Assistant's Broadcast feature, it's an all-or-nothing affair. It will broadcast your message to all Google Assistant-supported speakers your account is linked to. But Google seems to be testing a way that it'll just broadcast to a specified room.

9to5Google reports that this seems to be an A/B test of the feature. Users will need to say something like, "Hey Google, broadcast a message to living room, the food is ready." And then Google will broadcast this message to the speakers located in the living room. It'll be handy for things like calling your kids down for dinner. But since it's being tested, the feature isn't available widely yet. Here's to hoping Google rolls this one out soon.