Google Home set to launch in UK next month

Google Home: the device can control lights, play music and answer queries
PA
Tom Powell28 March 2017

Google is launching a voice-controlled device which can switch off lights, play music and answer questions in the UK this April.

Google Home can search online, use maps and translate in order to answer queries and even ask follow-up questions.

The speaker, released in the US last year, uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to understand context and answer follow-up questions to initial voice commands.

Suveer Kothari, director of product planning at Google, said: "With your permission, Google Home can assist you in planning your day, based on information like your calendar entries or flight information from your Google account.

"But if you'd rather keep things to yourself, you can turn off personal results any time in the Google Home app with a single swipe."

Artificially intelligent voice assistants have become increasingly popular products among technology firms, with Samsung announcing its own take on the subject, Bixby, last week to rival Amazon's Alexa, Microsoft's Cortana and Apple's Siri, which are already in use.

Google Home owners will also be able to use the device to control other smart home products, including light bulbs and thermostats, as well as TVs and other speakers connected using Google's Chromecast devices.

Home will cost £129 and will be available in a range of colours, Google said.

The tech giant also announced it was launching its Wifi router - Google Wifi - in the UK.

The device, which will also cost £129, uses technology called mesh Wifi, which Google says uses multiple routers to evenly spread internet signal throughout the home.

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