Google Assistant gets flight check-in mode, maps integration, more at CES 2019

**Google Assistant**  is constantly updated with new **features** and **integrations** , and that’s a certainly a reason why the adoption of the digital assistant has been manifold lately. And now, at the **Consumer Electronics Show** (CES) 2019, **Google** announced tons of more features for the Assistant like flight check-ins, hotel booking, a new language interpreter mode, and the extension of Assistant on the lockscreen to all Android phones. [caption id=“attachment_5861341” align=“alignnone” width=“1024”]  Google at CES 2019. Image: Google[/caption] Here’s taking a look at what all these features mean for you.

Flight Check-ins and Hotel booking

Aren’t check-ins the worst part of travel? Fortunately, Google Assistant will soon be able to check in to your flight and retrieve boarding passes with Assistant. You just have to make sure you get your flight notification on your Gmail. The command will be “Hey Google, check in to my flight.” The Assistant will also give you notifications for your check-in. Notably, though, the flight check-in feature is currently rolling out for only for the users in the US and only for the domestic United Airlines flights first. [caption id=“attachment_5861351” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”]  Image: Google[/caption] Google, however, wrote in a blog that it will support for more airlines are coming “soon.” The Assistant is also getting the ability to book hotels for you, wherein you can instruct Assistant to “book the Cambria Hotel in New York on January 12th,” for instance, and it will show you pricing options and availability within Assistant, which you can book using Google Pay credentials. Again, though, this feature is limited to users in the US, and will initially only be available with Choice Hotels, InterContinental Hotels, Priceline, Expedia, and Travelclick.

Interpreter mode

Within the travel theme, Google Assistant has been announced with another feature, which will allow it to have a conversations in different languages. You can simply say “Hey Google, be my French interpreter” to start the new Interpreter Mode. You can use this feature on your smart speakers, where the Assistant will give you real-time translation, reciting out loud. You will be able to use this feature on smart displays as well, where the translations will show as text on the screen. The Assistant currently supports 27 languages for the feature. [caption id=“attachment_5861321” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”]  Image: Google[/caption]

Google Maps

Google Assistant is now also coming to Maps (finally!). Soon, you will be able to ask Assistant to relay Map information to your friends, such as your ETA. It can also reply to text messages, search for places along your route, add new destinations, and auto-punctuate your messages. Google says that messaging features currently works with SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Hangouts, Viber, Telegram, Android Messages and few others.

What's new with the Google Assistant at #CES2019? A more connected home, staying safe on the road and a little help with travel and translation → https://t.co/9nFbXheRA9 #HeyGoogle pic.twitter.com/ltw8RMBtrc

— Google (@Google) January 8, 2019

Google Assistant Connect

On the connectivity end, Google has also announced a new platform called Connect, that will allow device manufacturers to bring Assistant to their products. Connect is an inexpensive way to create the ecosystem, and it uses Google’s existing smart home platform to expand to new device types while making device setup and discovery simple for people. Google says that with Connect, Assistant can handle the higher-order computing — knowing what’s on the calendar, checking for updates, and so on.

Integration with smart devices

Google was pretty much the belle of the ball at CES 2019, with a ton of partnerships announced at the event. Some of them were Lenovo’s  **Smart Clock** , and Whirlpool’s Kitchenaid Smart Display. Additionally, Anker and JBL also announced that they will be bringing Google Assistant to cars with small audio devices. [caption id=“attachment_5859141” align=“alignnone” width=“1280”]  Lenovo Smart Clock[/caption] At the event, Verizon also unveiled a device that will be able to use Google Assistant and pull a vehicle’s diagnostics. Further, Assistant is also coming to the Sonos One and Sonos Beam, while older Sonos models will get Assistant in an update. There’s also a new Assistant feature with Philips Hue that helps you wake up. Simply turn on “Gentle Wake Up” and the lights in your bedroom simulate the sunrise 30 minutes before your morning alarm goes off, to help you wake up and feel more energized. CES 2019: To catch up with all the announcements from the world’s largest consumer electronics show, head here.