Google Expands Lock Screen Assistant Access Beyond Pixel 3
Google announces that its Assistant will be available on more Android lock screens, a feature previously limited to the Pixel 3. Users must opt-in to use the hands-free feature for security reasons.
Google announces that its Assistant feature is expanding to more Android devices, allowing users to interact with the AI directly from their lock screens. Previously, this convenient hands-free access remains limited exclusively to the Pixel 3 handset following its initial announcement at a Google hardware event in October.
Due to security concerns, the company requires users to explicitly opt-in through their device settings before enabling the feature. Once activated, the Assistant relies on voice matching technology to ensure it only responds to the owner's voice, protecting the device from unauthorized access by strangers or malicious parties.
With this lock screen integration, users perform a variety of handy tasks without unlocking their phones, such as asking for restaurant recommendations, disabling alarms, and scheduling reminders. Google does not provide a specific timeline for when this update will arrive on various non-Pixel Android models.