Google Assistant Opens Up to Third-Party Developers
Google has announced that all developers, not just those in its private preview program, can now bring their applications and services to the Google Assistant. This development starts with “conversation actions” on Google Home, allowing developers to build back-and-forth conversations with users through the Assistant. Users can simply start these conversations with a phrase like “OK Google, talk to Eliza.”
While the Assistant currently runs on Pixel phones and within the Allo chat app, Google plans to bring actions to these other “Assistant surfaces” in the future. However, the specific timeline for this expansion remains unclear.
To support developers in creating these new Conversation Actions, Google has partnered with several companies, including API.AI, GupShup, DashBot, VoiceLabs, Assist, Notify.IO, Witlingo, and Spoken Layer. A small number of partners have already been allowed to enable their apps on Google Home, with these integrations expected to roll out as early as next week.
This move makes Google’s platform a more accessible and low-friction way for developers to reach users with voice-enabled services. The ability to invoke actions with a simple command, without needing to first enable a skill (like on Alexa), offers a streamlined experience.
While Google will have the final say on which actions are enabled on Google Home, the company has stated plans to enable deeper integrations across various sectors in upcoming releases, including support for purchases and bookings. However, the specifics of these integrations are still being developed.
