As we told you last week, Google is rolling out Google Assistant to all Android handsets powered by Android 6.0 and higher. The latest version of Google is more conversational than the current version of Google Now, and was originally found only on the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL. Google also made it a feature on its Allo messaging app. Besides running Android 6.0 and higher, Google Assistant requires a screen carrying a resolution of 720 x 1280 or higher, and 1.5GB of RAM or more. Most phones running Marshmallow should easily qualify.
To avoid having the necessary update go through manufacturer and carrier testing, Google Assistant is part of an update to Google Play Services. If you don’t feel like waiting for your eligible phone to receive the update, you can go to the sourcelink and install the latest Google Play Services APK. To do that, you need to follow these instructions:
- Get the latest Google Play Services APK from the sourcelink, and download it on your device.
- Find the APK your downloaded, and copy it to your device’s internal/external storage.
- Go to Settings > Security > Unknown Sources and check the box that allows 3rd-party application installation.
- Find where you saved the APK on your device, and open up the installation screen.
- Tap on the install button and the update will begin.
- Once the app is finished updating, Google Assistant should be ready to go.
If you’ve never installed an APK before, or sideloaded an app (which simply means installing a third party app from outside of the Play Store), you might want to wait for the official update to arrive.
According to the source, if the Google Play Service update has arrived and you cannot install Google Assistant, it means that the new version of the personal assistant has yet to be rolled out in your area. In that case, you will just have to wait for the update to reach your device via the regular OTA update.
Regardless of the method you use to install Google Assistant on your, it is activated by a long press on the home button. After agreeing to some permissions, you’ll be good to go. Some of the questions and tasks you can ask Google Assistant include:
- Where’s the closest gas station? Which pharmacy is open?
- Play trivia. Play the emoji game.
- Schedule a meeting for Tuesday at 3 p.m. with Scott. Show me my schedule for tomorrow.
- Set an alarm for 6 a.m. Set a timer for 30 seconds.
- Show me my photos of the beach. Show me picture of puppies.
- Show me the trailer for the latest Pixar movie. Play me a song.
- Show me the latest news. Send me the news every day at 10 a.m.
source: GooglePlayServicesAPK via IBT
