A free and open-source platform beat two giants when it comes to smart homes in 2025.

However, the transition won't be the same for smart home devices. Google Assistant is the default voice assistant on all of Google's Home and Nest devices, as well as many third-party manufacturers' ...

I’ve been using Google Home devices since they first launched nearly a decade ago. Back then, the Google Assistant felt like magic: turn on the lights, play a song, set a timer – all with your voice.

Chris Wedel is a seasoned technology journalist with a rich background writing for top publications like CNET, Android Police, and Digital Trends. His work spans the consumer electronics landscape, ...

Zach was an Author at Android Police from January 2022 to June 2025. He specialized in Chromebooks, Android smartphones, Android apps, smart home devices, and Android services. Zach loves unique and ...

Google Assistant as we knew it is on the way out. Well, at least its guts. Late last year, Google added AI capabilities from its chatbot Bard to Google Assistant, allowing the virtual helper to make ...

The leaders of Home Assistant declared 2023 the “Year of the Voice.” The goal was to let users of the DIY home automation platform “control Home Assistant in their own language.” It was a bold shot to ...

Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition is a privacy-focused voice control device for your smart home that can work without an internet connection. (And has some cool wake words). Home Assistant Voice ...

Over the past few days, Pixel Tablet owners have noticed an issue where smart home-related Google Assistant commands do not work in Hub Mode. Update 7/18: Google has addressed this issue with a server ...

It can be hard to keep track of Google's products, which are often here one day and virtually gone the next. When it comes to rapidly evolving fields like AI and personal assistants, things are ...