Google Assistant is coming soon to Chromebooks that aren't the Pixelbook

The Pixelbook is Google's best Chromebook to-date, and while there's a lot about the Pixelbook that makes it such a joy to use, one of its highlight features is the addition of Google Assistant. The Pixelbook was the first Chrome OS device to ship with the Assistant, and at the time of writing this article, is still the only way to experience it on the platform.
However, according to new commits that were recently discovered in the Chromium Gerrit, it looks like other manufacturers will soon be able to easily add the Google Assistant to other Chromebooks.
The Assistant can be prompted through a voice command or button press.
The two commits that provide the most proof of this include "[adding] Google Assistant settings to the settings UI" and "[launching] an Intent when the 'Google Assistant Settings' is tapped." Any manufacturer that doesn't want to add the Google Assistant can simply ignore the new feature, but if they do choose to add it, options are given for choosing whether or not the Assistant responds when it hears the iconic "Ok, Google" hot word.
Additionally, there are settings in the Gerrit indicating that it'll be easy for OEMs to have the Assistant launch following the press of a button. In other words, we'll likely see Chromebooks this year that have a physical Google Assistant button like there is on the Pixelbook's keyboard.
There's no specific timeframe in place as to when the Assistant will be released for other Chromebooks, but even so, this is exciting news for Chrome OS fans that aren't willing to throw down $1000+ for the Pixelbook.
Get the Android Central Newsletter
Instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.
-
Cool. It's everywhere else in my life my Tablets, Google Home, Android Wear...
Mind as well be there too. Flicked via the BlackBerry keyboard on my Pixel 2 -
B.F. Deal. I've already got a Google Home I never use, and I may have used the GA on my phone once last year. I'd rather get the update to OS 64, which I have yet to see on my Asus.
-
What do you mean by ."..manufacturers will soon be able to easily add..." ? Is not the Software is fully controlled by Google or GA is hardware dependent ?
-
This is purely speculation, but it will probably be widely available on basically every model in the same way as it is on Android. Perhaps some models will miss out on a specific feature (just like there are some phones which don't have a dedicated low-power IC for always-listening.) I hope this helps.
-
Makes sense. Thank you.
-
What they need to do is fix the battery indicator on the Acer R11 first!! The damn thing never charges pass 94%!!