Two years after introducing Snapshot, Google is introducing new features to make the Assistant function more convenient for Android and iOS users.
Rather than navigating to the app and tapping an icon, users can now just say, “Hey Google, show me my day” to get a rundown of local weather, calendar events, and reminders—including upcoming birthdays and holidays.
“Your Snapshot will adjust based on the time of day and your interactions with Google Assistant,” product manager Jacquelle Horton wrote in a blog announcement. “For example, in the morning you will see a card about your commute, weather, to-dos, and top headlines.”
The fun doesn’t end there, though. Google is also adding tailored recommendations based on users’ preferences for recipes, podcasts, and restaurants. Looking for inspiration ahead of a dinner party? Want to learn more about the world and your niche interests? Just tap into Snapshot.
“Snapshot is the best place to see everything you’ve got going on in one place,” according to Horton, who tipped notifications about flight and event updates, upcoming bills, and due-date reminders. Never forget another birthday with Google Assistant’s gentle nudge to call, text, or even sing a celebratory song.
The feature is now live for those using English as their default language, and will continue to roll out to additional languages “in the coming months.” “This is just the beginning,” the blog said. “We will continue to explore new ways for Google Assistant to be there to help before you even need to ask for it.”
Google initially launched Snapshot—a “visual overview of your day”—in July 2018, putting travel times, restaurant reservations, stocks, incoming packages, and more front and center on iOS and Android devices.
