Users who have signed up for the Google app beta channel received an Alpha version of Google v6.13. As with any updated app, Google v6.13 comes with a new features such as a Recent page, a Lite mode, and the ability to make payments via Google Assistant. While those features are good and all, the major feature that comes with Google v6.13 is the fact that it enables Google Assistant on non-Pixel phones.
We’ve reported last week that Google Assistant will be coming to the Nexus phones, so it isn’t exactly surprising if this feature is available on only Nexus devices. However, the Google v6.13 brings the feature to non-Google branded smartphones as well, with reports showing that phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Alcatel Idol 4 getting Google Assistant as well.
According to Android Police’s report, it appears that the availability of Google Assistant is somehow tied to an individual’s Google account. Some people will be able to use Google Assistant, while some will be using Now on Tap with Google v6.13 installed. This potentially means that Google has the ability to make Google Assistant available for everyone, although they’re currently withholding the feature in order to sell more Pixels.
It’ll be interesting to see if Google will finally make Google Assistant available across all smartphones when version 6.13 of the Google app goes live. Should that actually happen, the next question would be how Google Assistant would co-exist with other digital assistants that are created by other companies such as Samsung’s upcoming Bixby.
Source: Android Police