What you should know
- Google is working on “Assistant with Bard,” a merger of the classic Google Assistant and Google’s AI, Bard, which is expected to fully replace the existing Assistant experience on supported Android devices.
- A code deep dive by 9to5Google revealed that the Google app has been updated with new designs, including a popup window and tab switcher, and tweaks to the recently launched stocks and finance widget.
- The Assistant with Bard experience will be prominently placed on the Discover page of the Google Search app, with a new button at the top of the page, above the Google logo.
- Google Search is preparing a more prominent message encouraging users to upgrade their Assistant to include Bard AI features, with a new popup suggesting a few ways that Assistant with Bard can help users.
- Assistant with Bard is designed to be accessed in the same ways as the existing Assistant, such as by long-pressing the Power button or saying “Hey Google.”
Full Story
Are you ready for a Google Assistant that’s smarter and more versatile? Well, it’s coming. We’ve got a sneak peek into the app’s code, and it’s all about “Assistant with Bard.” This is Google’s way of merging the classic assistant with its powerful AI, Bard. The announcement was made at the Made by Google event earlier this year.
Google hasn’t given us a firm launch date for the AI-enhanced Assistant with Bard yet. But it’s expected to fully replace the current Assistant on supported Android devices. A code deep dive by 9to5Google suggests that the work on this project might be almost done.
The Google app has a new look. It’s been updated with fresh designs, including a peek at its popup window and tab switcher. Google’s also tweaking its recently launched stocks and finance widget.
The APK teardown revealed something else. The Assistant with Bard experience will be front and center on the Discover page of the Google Search app. There’s a new button that looks like a physical slider switch. It’s at the top of the page, above the Google logo, not part of the existing bottom bar. We’re not sure if this is a permanent fixture of the Discover tab or just a temporary reminder to check out Assistant with Bard.
9to5Google managed to enable the actual popup window. This is where you’ll submit new prompts/questions to Assistant with Bard. You can type or speak a message and/or share a photo with the Assistant using the three buttons at the bottom. This design was first seen at the Pixel 8 event in October.
Google Search is also preparing a more prominent message. It’s encouraging you to upgrade your Assistant to include Bard AI features. Above the typical Assistant sheet, a new popup suggests a few ways that Assistant with Bard can help you.
Assistant with Bard is designed to be accessed just like the existing Assistant. You can long-press the Power button or say “Hey Google.” It’ll be interesting to see the final product and how it will integrate with the rest of the Android Operating System or even the Pixel Launcher once it goes live.
