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Google Assistant may be saying bye-bye to Hey Google

By Sanjana Prakash published 16 September 2022 No more saying "Hey Google" with this update (Image credit: Google) "Hey Google" may soon be a thing of the past for some Google device owners. A teardown of a Google app by 9to5Google (opens in new tab) has revealed a big update that will reduce the need and use of its familiar wake word "Hey Google" to bring up its Assistant on multiple devices. Different "custom quick phrases" are being added to the Nest Hub Max that don't require the need to say the hot words to carry out certain commands. This will make it easy to give commands to the smart home hub without prefixing "Hey Google" every time and will go beyond the preset phrases Google has recently added. Quick phrases are a popular feature that were introduced with the Pixel 6 last year and gives Google Assistant the ability to listen for certain key words beyond "Hey Google." For example, the tech giant added quick phrases like "turn up the volume," "what time is my alarm set for'' and "create a reminder" to the Nest Hub Max. Custom quick phrases will let users pick and choose their own commands apart from these presets. 9to5Google mentions the feature's code name is "Salsa" right now and it will come with some limitations. Google mentions that "there are a few rules to make sure these [quick phrases] work well, and you will be guided if there are any issues." This could mean that users will not have a free hand at picking just any custom phrase and it will probably have to fall under a specific category like music, smart lights or others. This is speculation of course and it is not clear how the feature will work exactly - but it looks like it will be available to set up under the Quick phrases settings page. This snappy feature is very useful on smart speakers that don't require the need to repeatedly say the catch phrase to change songs, turn up the volume or even pause music. With more quick phrases and customizable ones, the Nest Hub Max will get very handy to use with this big update. Quick phrases on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro and the Pixel 6a give users the option to "Stop" or "Snooze" alarms or a timer and "Answer" or "Decline" incoming calls. A potential update will also bring a way to "Silence" calls too. The upcoming Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are also expected to get quick phrases and we will have to see what smarts Google plans to give its new Pixels at the upcoming October 6 event. Today's best Google Pixel 6a dealsPlansUnlockedGet $50 off this p... (opens in new tab)No contractGoogle Pixel 6a (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Google Pixel 6a (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$33.71/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$33.71/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Get $47 off this p... (opens in new tab)No contractGoogle Pixel 6a (128GB) (opens in new tab)Google Pixel 6a (128GB) (opens in new tab)$449 (opens in new tab) upfront$30/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddataCalls: to the US, CA, MEX and more + Unlimited Global TextData: Unlimited 2G after using 20GB 4G LTE/5G data (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddataCalls: to the US, CA, MEX and more + Unlimited Global TextData: Unlimited 2G after using 20GB 4G LTE/5G dataView (opens in new tab)at Twigby (opens in new tab)$449 (opens in new tab) upfront$30/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at Twigby (opens in new tab)Get $50 off this p... (opens in new tab)No contractGoogle Pixel 6a (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Google Pixel 6a (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$38.71/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$38.71/mth (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Sanjana PrakashNews EditorSanjana loves all things tech. From the latest phones, to quirky gadgets and the best deals, she's in sync with it all. Based in Atlanta, she is the news editor at Tom's Guide. Previously, she produced India's top technology show for NDTV and has been a tech news reporter on TV. Outside work, you can find her on a tennis court or sipping her favorite latte in instagrammable coffee shops in the city. Her work has appeared on NDTV Gadgets 360 and CNBC. More about smart home 4 ways a smart thermostat can lower your energy bill Best robot mops in 2022Latest Forget Pixel 7: Google Pixel 6a just got Black Friday cheap at $299See more latest ► Topics Smart Home See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1F1 United States Grand Prix live stream - how to watch the race free and online right now2Padres vs Phillies live streams 2022: How to watch NLCS Game 5 online, start time3Daily Quordle #272 - answers and hints for Sunday, October 234SleepOvation mattress review (2022)5iPad Air 4 crashes to $469 before Black Friday - and it's better than the new iPad1I just tried Jessica Alba's full-body workout - here's what happened2Black Friday deals 2022 - date and best early sales3Forget Pixel 7: Google Pixel 6a just got Black Friday cheap at $2994F1 United States Grand Prix live stream - how to watch the race free and online right now5Padres vs Phillies live streams 2022: How to watch NLCS Game 5 online, start time