Google Assistant will add several new features to connect the whole family this weekend, just in time for Mother's Day

For starters, Google is extending the Broadcast feature (the ability to send messages to other Google Home and Nest Hubs in the house) so that your notes can be delivered anywhere in the family Group, you can send notes to both iPhone and Android devices as long as they are in the Group Replies can also be sent

The new Google Assistant feature is similar to Alexa's drop-in feature, which allows users to send messages to Alexa smart speakers and displays using Alexa-enabled devices or the Alexa app on their smartphones

Another feature Google is enhancing is Family Bell Introduced last August, this feature basically allows users to set up alerts throughout the day for lunch, school pick-up time, and plant watering time Currently, if you want to stop the bell ringing, you have to say "Hey, Google" before the command, but starting this weekend you will be able to simply say "stop" This is part of Google's efforts to streamline Google Assistant commands

Family Bell will ring on multiple Google Home devices, increasing the likelihood of hearing an alert Finally, Family Bell will soon be available in French, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, Hindi, and Korean

Google is also adding content for children: a partnership with Pottermore Publishing will offer a number of Harry Potter-themed stories and games

Penguin Random House's "Who Was?" series will also be added For example, say "Hey Google, talk to Who Was Heroes" and you will hear stories about Ida B Wells, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and over 100 others To see a full list of available stories, say "Hey Google, tell me a story"

Taken together, these enhancements are not major changes for Google Assistant, but they are good updates for the smart home platform and make it more attractive for family use