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No-network Google Assistant functions demoed at I/O 2019

Thanks to advancements from deep learning, Google Assistant's voice recognition models will soon be available directly on devices, allowing for near-instant results without the need for high-speed internet access.

Chris Jarrard

May 7, 2019 10:55 AM

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Technology giant Google took this stage today for the annual Google I/O presentation from Mountain View, California. AMong a host of new product and software improvements, the company showed off an upcoming update to its popular Google Assistant voice search tool will change the way we speak to our devices. Thanks to advancements in neural network modeling, the gargantuan voice-recognition models that the service uses will be reduced in size. This will allow Google Assistant to function without needing to send request to Google’s data centers, offering nearly instant results and smoother interactions with devices.

During the stage show at Google I/O, an impressive demo of the Google Assistant update gave viewers a sneak peak at what to expect when it launches later this year. The stage presenter walked through multiple interactions with an Android phone, including a text message interaction that was handled entirely via voice commands. The original message sender asked the stage presenter about her vacation and she was able to ask the phone to display her vacation photos, which she then narrowed by asking for animal shots. When quickly presented with the animal shots chosen by the phone, she then directed Google Assistant to send the photo over MMS. The entire interaction would realistically take a couple of minutes with the best mobile devices available today, yet was handled in seconds thanks to the power of the Google Assistant.

Google is also integrating these improvements to the Search Assistant to multiple products under its umbrella, inclduing the all-new Nest Home Max, a smart speaker with an integrated 10-inch screen, camera, and microphone which will serve as a successor to its Google Home Hub.

Chris Jarrard

Contributing Tech Editor

Chris Jarrard likes playing games, crankin' tunes, and looking for fights on obscure online message boards. He understands that breakfast food is the only true food. Don't @ him.