“Hey, Google!”

Plastered all across Las Vegas in the week leading up to the largest technology show of the year, are the activation hot words from Google Assistant. From an animated billboard in front of the MGM Grand to an entire train on the Las Vegas monorail, Google is intent on dominating the conversation at CES as it has on the Las Vegas strip.

If you aren’t familiar, Google Assistant is your own personal Google. Use it to answer any kind of question, be it about the weather or traffic, or random bit of trivia. Google Assistant can also control smart devices at home, ask it to turn up the thermostat or dim the lights, play your favorite Netflix show on the TV, or the current Spotify soundtrack to your life.

Last year, Google Assistant found a new home in the form of a Bluetooth speaker aptly called Google Home. These devices have been selling like hotcakes; the company claims its sold one every second since the latest model was released last October.

But at CES 2018, Google Assistant is making a play towards becoming the operating system of our lives, finding its way into a wide variety of products.

Smart Displays

First up is a yet another product category called the Smart Display — think Google Home but with a screen. It can do everything Google Home can, but also make video calls, or get information visually when you need it. Last week we spent some time with a Smart Display device and think it will find a home on our kitchen counter. It’s the perfect companion to the struggling cook in need of step-by-step directions or if you’re half asleep planning your day as you wake up to a cup of coffee.   

JBL, Lenovo, LG, and Sony will all launch their own smart displays at the show.

Headphones

Google Assistant will also make its way to Bluetooth headphones. Jaybird, JBL, LG, and Sony have all announced headphones optimized for Google Assistant which you can summon with just the touch of an earbud.

Assistant in your Car

If you have a car that supports Android Auto, Google Assistant support is also coming this week. Apart from the obvious Google Maps and Waze integration, you’ll also be able to send and receive WhatsApp messages, reserve a parking space with SpotHero, and pre-order a Starbucks coffee.