Sonos speakers can now be default playback options for Google Assistant

Even with an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit between the two companies, Sonos and Google are working on new features to benefit its users. You can now use Sonos speakers as the default playback option for Google Assistant. So, if you request a song through Google Assistant, it can automatically play on the paired Sonos speaker. Google Assistant will let you have multiple default speakers, so different Sonos devices can be paired with different Google devices. You can set this up through the Google Home app.

Source: The Verge

Next-gen Google Assistant is now rolling out in Canada, four other countries

Aside from the Pixel feature drop, Google is rolling out the next-generation Assistant that debuted on the Pixel 4 outside of the US. Canada will be one of the five countries getting the update. The others are Australia, Ireland, Singapore, and the UK. Google has started rolling it out on December 12. But these rollouts happen in stages, so if it hasn't made its way to your Pixel 4, just be a bit patient.

Unfortunately, the new Google Assistant will only be available on the Pixel 4, and it'll only support the English language for now. This next-gen Assistant introduces improved response speed by moving the language processing to the device. The update also brings a new look to Assistant.

Source: 9to5Google

Google Assistant can now save your lists, notes to apps like Keep

When it first launched, Google Assistant would save the notes you made to Keep. But the company took this feature away, and then saved your lists inside Assistant itself. But looking for said lists would require some digging. Thankfully, Google is bringing the feature back. You can now set which app your note will be saved in. You can pick Keep, Any.do, AnyList, or Bring. You will need to head into Assistant settings > Services > Notes & Lists, and then select the app of your choice. We hope Google adds more apps down the line. The feature is available in English for all Assistant-enabled devices globally.

Source: Android Police

Google Assistant will read your news updates to you

Google Assistant just got an update in the US that will allow the virtual assistant to read the news to you based on your interests. All you have to say is: "Hey Google, play me the news." And a Google Assistant-enabled phone or smart speaker will read you some short news stories based on "your interests, location, user history and preferences, as well as the top news stories out there." If you listen for an extended period, you will get "longer-form content that dives deeper on your interests." The virtual assistant will also inform you what publications it is reading from and what's coming up next. Google says it plans to bring the feature to other markets next year.