Back at the I/O 2021 Event, Google announced multiple incoming features for Google Assistant with Android 12. Now, in the decompilation of the latest version of the Google Assistant app uploaded to the Play Store, folks at 9To5Google have actually managed to enable the Quick Phrases feature. One important thing to note about APK Insight posts from 9To5Google is that features discovered during the decompilation of APKs may or may not make their way to the stable release. Coming back to the discovered feature, the Quick Phrases will allow users to interact with Google Assistant without using the ‘Hey, Google’ hot word. However, there are a few caveats to this. Users will be able to use this feature only for the most common voice interactions. This includes dismissing a ringing alarm or an ongoing timer. The description for the new Google Assistant feature says, “Skip saying “Hey Google” for help with specific tasks.”
Users can select which specific tasks they want to enable
There is an ‘Add Salsas’ option, which means ‘Specific Tasks.’ These are the tasks or actions that you can use with Google Assistant without the need to say the ‘Hey, Google’ hot word. Apparently, users can select which specific tasks they want to enable and use with Google Assistant. All tasks that you add will show up in the ‘Your salsas’ section. All the available phrases and actions termed as ‘Salsas’ are categorized under different sections. This includes Recommended, Alarms, Connect, General info, Lights, Media Controls, Timers, and To-Dos. The last page lists all devices where Google Assistant can respond to your salsas. It is currently unfinished, but hints that in the future, you could also use Google Assistant on your Smart Displays, and speakers without saying ‘Hey, Google’. At present, there is no word on what devices will support this Google Assistant Quick Phrases feature. Looking at the hints discovered by 9to5Google, it may arrive first on the Nest Mini, Audio, and 2nd-gen Nest Hub, and the latest smartphones. Moreover, there is no clarity on when this feature will see the light of the day. Whatever it is, having the ability to access Google Assistant more naturally without having to say trigger words and accomplish tasks seems a great addition for the future of voice assistants.
