Google has announced a conversation-based tool to control smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices.
Google Assistant can be used to find information, play media and carry out tasks - such as booking cinema tickets - via a back-and-forth chat between the user and the software.
The firm also announced a voice-activated device with a built-in speaker called Google Home to deliver the tech to living rooms.
It will compete with Amazon's Echo.
Amazon launched its own dialogue-based smart home device in 2014, which is powered by the firm's proprietary virtual assistant Alexa.
Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai credited Amazon with pioneering the idea.
His announcement was made at the start of the firm's IO developers' conference in California.
"Google's new Assistant is its attempt to bring together a set of disparate efforts that have lacked a coherent brand," commented Jan Dawson from Jackdaw Research.
"Referring to the combined functions of Google Now, OK Google, and other elements has been tough in the past, because there wasn't a single name for this functionality.
"This should help Google compete more effectively both with Amazon's Echo device but also with better-branded personal assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa."
Google Assistant can link into third-party services including Ticketmaster, Spotify, Uber and Whatsapp. But Alexa already works with many more.
"Amazon should take note of Google Home given Google's search and artificial intelligence capability, but Alexa has an early lead in third-party integration," noted Geoff Blaber from the CCS Insight consultancy.
Chat app
Google Assistant also plays a role in a new chat app called Allo, in which it can make suggestions based on what the user is talking about with their friends.
One executive demonstrated the AI tool proposing a restaurant to visit when two users discussed wanting to eat Italian food.
Allo's other unusual feature is that it can provide replies on a user's behalf.
This includes commenting on pictures sent by friends, thanks to its use of image recognition algorithms.
The company said the suggestions should improve the more people use the app.
A partner video chat app called Duo was also unveiled. A distinguishing feature is a live view of the caller, which is shown on the recipient's screen before they decide whether or not to answer.
Virtual reality
In the past, Google IO has provided a first look at the next version of smartphone operating system Android.
But this year many details about Android N were released weeks ahead of the event.
However, there were new details about a forthcoming virtual reality feature called Daydream.
It introduces a dedicated VR app store and provides a set of specifications that devices must meet in order to provide a lag time of less than 20 milliseconds between movements of the user's body and on-screen responses.
Daydream also includes a reference design for a VR headset mount - into which a variety of smartphones could be fitted - and a controller - a handheld device featuring a trackpad and two buttons.
Google is not making either but hopes that manufacturers will put the designs into production.
"One of the worst things about Samsung's Gear VR [headset] is the control system - Daydream looks much better," said Mr Dawson.
Google Assistant can be used to find information, play media and carry out tasks - such as booking cinema tickets - via a back-and-forth chat between the user and the software.
The firm also announced a voice-activated device with a built-in speaker called Google Home to deliver the tech to living rooms.
It will compete with Amazon's Echo.
Amazon launched its own dialogue-based smart home device in 2014, which is powered by the firm's proprietary virtual assistant Alexa.
Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai credited Amazon with pioneering the idea.
His announcement was made at the start of the firm's IO developers' conference in California.
"Google's new Assistant is its attempt to bring together a set of disparate efforts that have lacked a coherent brand," commented Jan Dawson from Jackdaw Research.
"Referring to the combined functions of Google Now, OK Google, and other elements has been tough in the past, because there wasn't a single name for this functionality.
"This should help Google compete more effectively both with Amazon's Echo device but also with better-branded personal assistants like Siri, Cortana, and Alexa."
Google Assistant can link into third-party services including Ticketmaster, Spotify, Uber and Whatsapp. But Alexa already works with many more.
"Amazon should take note of Google Home given Google's search and artificial intelligence capability, but Alexa has an early lead in third-party integration," noted Geoff Blaber from the CCS Insight consultancy.
Chat app
Google Assistant also plays a role in a new chat app called Allo, in which it can make suggestions based on what the user is talking about with their friends.
One executive demonstrated the AI tool proposing a restaurant to visit when two users discussed wanting to eat Italian food.
Allo's other unusual feature is that it can provide replies on a user's behalf.
This includes commenting on pictures sent by friends, thanks to its use of image recognition algorithms.
The company said the suggestions should improve the more people use the app.
A partner video chat app called Duo was also unveiled. A distinguishing feature is a live view of the caller, which is shown on the recipient's screen before they decide whether or not to answer.
Virtual reality
In the past, Google IO has provided a first look at the next version of smartphone operating system Android.
But this year many details about Android N were released weeks ahead of the event.
However, there were new details about a forthcoming virtual reality feature called Daydream.
It introduces a dedicated VR app store and provides a set of specifications that devices must meet in order to provide a lag time of less than 20 milliseconds between movements of the user's body and on-screen responses.
Daydream also includes a reference design for a VR headset mount - into which a variety of smartphones could be fitted - and a controller - a handheld device featuring a trackpad and two buttons.
Google is not making either but hopes that manufacturers will put the designs into production.
"One of the worst things about Samsung's Gear VR [headset] is the control system - Daydream looks much better," said Mr Dawson.
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