Google Assistant Gets a New Ambient Mode, WhatsApp Video Call Support

Google is introducing a new Ambient Mode for the Google Assistant this week at IFA 2019. The company is rolling out this new experience for phones and tablets, but it will likely come to its smart displays, too.

Google says the new Ambient Mode introduces a visual overview where users can easily see their reminders, notifications, play music, control their home screen, and more — all from the lock screen. The new mode will also show your photos from Google Photos, which will essentially allow you to turn your deice into a digital photo frame.

The new Ambient Mode will show up for Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 users when they are charging their device, and it will also show up on the Lenovo Smart Tab M8 when it’s placed on the charging dock, and the new Yoga Smart Tab. 

Google is also introducing a major new integration for Assistant today — users on Android can now ask the Assistant to make a video call on WhatsApp using their voice. You can simply say “Hey Google, WhatsApp video Paul” for example.

Google is also expanding the availability of Google Assistant smart speakers and announcing new Assistant-powered headphones from third-parties today.