Google Assistant is starting 2019 by learning lots of new tricks.
Google today revealed several new Google Assistant features at CES 2019. That includes the news that Google Assistant is coming to Google Maps on Android and iOS, letting you use your voice to send your ETA in a message, reply to texts, play music and podcasts, search for places on your route, add a new stop, and auto-punctuate your message.
Unsurprisingly, Android users are getting a few extra features. Google says that on Android, Assistant works with SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Hangouts, Viber, Telegram, Android Messages, and more.
Google Assistant is getting more useful from the lock screen, too. You can use Assistant to show you restaurants nearby, set up and dismiss alarms, schedule reminders and timers, and opt in to see personal queries like traffic updates and calendar updates, all without unlocking your phone. This feature is currently available to Google Pixel users and will roll out to all Android devices in the next few weeks.
Another big Google Assistant feature that's launching is Interpreter Mode. With it, Google Assistant can help you have a conversation in dozens of languages. Just say something like "Hey Google, be my French intepreter" and you'll get real-time spoken (and written, on Smart Displays) translation of your conversation.
Interpreter Mode is rolling out to Google Home devices and Smart Displays over the next few weeks.