Google Assistant adds TV voice control to Nvidia Shield – CNET

Now Playing: Watch this: TV that talks back: Google Assistant comes to Nvidia…

Owners of Nvidia Shield, get ready to hear it talk back to you for the first time.

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Shield is the first TV device to get Google Assistant.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Nvidia’s streaming/gaming geek dream box is the first TV device to receive Google Assistant, Google’s voice-based answer to Amazon’s Alexa. Just like on select phones and the Google Home speaker, now you can say “OK Google” or “Hey Google” into thin air and watch stuff happen on your Shield-connected TV. Or change the thermostat, call an Uber, or order Domino’s.

The free update enabling Assistant rolls out today to both the original and the new Nvidia Shield Android TV box. To use it hands-free, however, you’ll need a Shield with the 2017 game controller. That controller isn’t included on the cut-rate $180 version of Shield, but does come with the $200 version. If you don’t have that controller you can always order one ($60) to enable hands-free Assistant action.

Alternately, you can use Assistant by talking into the remote. Just kiss all that hard-bought geek cred goodbye.