Google details Assistant’s new Ambient Mode ahead of imminent rollout

The Assistant's Ambient Mode feature was first showcased by Google at IFA 2019 in September.

What you need to know

• Google has shown off the Assistant's new Ambient Mode feature for Android smartphones in a new video.
• Ambient Mode will be activated when your Android device is plugged into a charger.
• The feature is expected to begin rolling out next week and will be available on select Android devices from Sony, Nokia, Xiaomi, and Lenovo.

Google had announced a new Ambient Mode for the Assistant at IFA this year, bringing a Smart Display-like interface to Android phones and tablets. The company has now shared a new video that shows off the feature in action. Even though Google hasn't confirmed it officially yet, some reports suggest the feature will begin rolling out to select Android devices very soon.

Once enabled, the feature can transform your phone or tablet into a smart display when you plug it into a charger, similar to devices such as the Google Nest Hub. In addition to allowing you to control your music and smart home devices, the Ambient Mode will also display the weather information, your reminders, notifications, and a slideshow of photos from your Google Photos account. The video says the Ambient Mode feature will only be available on devices running Android 8.0 or above.

When it first announced the featuree, Google had said that the feature would be coming to the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab, Smart Tab M8, Nokia 6.2, and Nokia 7.2. According to Ron Amadeo from ArsTechnica, the feature will be available on select devices from Sony, Nokia, Xiaomi, and "Transsion." It is expected to begin rolling out next week.

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