The software development kit (SDK) for Google Assistant is expanding to additional countries today, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. As part of the expansion, Google Assistant SDK is now available in English, French, German, and Japanese.
The SDK makes it possible for hardware makers to bring Google Assistant to virtually any device with a speaker and microphone. So far it has been used for products like smart speakers from JBL, Sony, and other brands, but it could come to any number of devices, such as social robots or thermostats. The SDK was first made available for hardware makers in the United States in April.
Deeper customization options for individual devices were also introduced today.
Devices using the SDK can now be localized either with a street address or longitude and latitude coordinates. This will allow users to receive local responses if they ask for the weather update or ask Google Assistant about a nearby business.
Hardware using the Google Assistant SDK can now be configured with Device Actions, a new functionality introduced today that allows for device-specific voice control of smart home activity. Device Actions allow control of things like adjusting the brightness of lights or turning devices on or off.
Google’s expansion of its SDK comes shortly after Amazon announced plans to bring Echo devices to more than 80 new countries around the world.
