When the Google Pixel and Pixel XL were announced, one of the best features of both smartphones was soon identified to be the new and improved Google Assistant. The Google Assistant is Google’s variation of Apple’s Siri smart digital assistant. Say “Ok Google” or touch and hold the Home button and your Assistant is ready to help, providing you with traffic details, locations of shops or giving you a rundown of your day’s schedule.
Unfortunately for most people, Google Assistant was relegated to Google’s new Pixel line of smartphones; even the Nexus line missed out. However, the current monopoly the Pixel phones have over Google Assistant may soon change.
According to a report in Business Korea, LG is currently in negotiations with Google to include Google Assistant in some of the company’s upcoming Android smartphones. The LG G6, the successor to the LG G5, is slated to be revealed at the Mobile World Congress next month and would be a prime contender for having Google Assistant integrated into it.
Of course, negotiations may sour and the exclusivity of Google Assistant may endure for a while longer but LG has a backup plan. Alexa, Amazon’s own smart digital assistant is plan B. LG is also in talks with Amazon, with hopes to integrate Alexa into its future smartphones. Unlike, Assistant, LG have already used Alexa in some of their products, namely their refrigerators.
Considering that Alexa, like Assistant, can operate and control multiple devices it would not be hard to image the leap from household appliances to a smartphone, something Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, no doubt has in the works. Considering that the Amazon Fire smartphone was a failure, a partnership with an existing smartphone developer might be the best strategy to expand Alexa to the smartphone ecosystem.
