OnePlus phones are now receiving Google Assistant's Ambient Mode
What you need to know
- Google Assistant's Ambient Mode is now rolling out to all OnePlus devices.
- The feature turns your phone into a smart display, letting you control smart home lights and much more.
- The rollout will be staged, with OnePlus noting that everyone should receive the feature in a week's time.
Right now, OnePlus' OxygenOS is the software experience to beat on Android. Consistent updates with bug fixes and new feature additions allowed OnePlus to take the lead in this area, and OxygenOS is now picking up another enticing feature: Google Assistant's Ambient Mode. The feature is rolling out to all OnePlus devices (OnePlus 3 and above), and it lets you turn your phone into a smart display while charging.
Boost your productivity with a proactive Google Assistant experience courtesy of @Android's Ambient Mode, now available on #OxygenOS.
Learn more 👉 https://t.co/QchAW8OaEc pic.twitter.com/wS69CrrW1RBoost your productivity with a proactive Google Assistant experience courtesy of @Android's Ambient Mode, now available on #OxygenOS.
Learn more 👉 https://t.co/QchAW8OaEc pic.twitter.com/wS69CrrW1R— OnePlus (@oneplus) February 11, 2020February 11, 2020
You can use Assistant in Ambient Mode to see updates around your calendar entries, weather, reminders, and more. You can also control music playback and smart lights, or even turn your phone into a digital photo frame. Once you opt in, the feature automatically kicks in every time you plug in your phone's charger.
Google Assistant in Ambient Mode debuted on Nokia devices, and also made its way to select Xiaomi phones at the end of 2019. It's great to see the feature showing up in OxygenOS, and if you don't see the option to enable it when you connect your charger, you can do so manually. Just head to Google app -> More -> Settings -> Google Assistant -> Assistant tab -> Devices to set it up on your phone. Do note that this is a staged rollout, so the feature may not show up on your phone until next week.
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Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.