This article was published on January 21, 2017

Report: Google’s ‘exclusive’ Assistant could be coming to LG phones


Report: Google’s ‘exclusive’ Assistant could be coming to LG phones

Currently, the only way to get Google’s smart Assistant is by owning a Google Pixel or Pixel XL. But that might not be the case for long.

According to a report in BusinessKorea, LG is said to be in talks with both Amazon and Google with hopes to include either Alexa or Assistant in future phones. The upcoming G6 seems the most likely fit, according to the report. We’ll know out for sure when the G6 is unveiled in late February at Mobile World Congress.

Google sang the praises of its new intelligent AI Assistant — calling it “your own personal Google” when it released the Pixel line of phones last October. At that time, Assistant was an exclusive feature of the new line. Should LG secure rights to use the technology, it’d signal the end of this exclusivity and perhaps open Assistant up to other Android devices in the near future. Of course, just because LG wants it doesn’t mean Google’s going to allow it.

Luckily, LG has a Plan B — Alexa.

The company already has a relationship with Amazon as Alexa is featured in one of its smart refrigerators. It’s not outside the realm of possibility to think this relationship could step outside the (ice)box and utilize more devices.

For Amazon, it’d be the first mobile device with Alexa, a move you’d have to believe Jeff Bezos wants to make at some point. It’s only logical for Alexa that its next step would be into mobile devices, but is LG the one?

via Mashable

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