Google's spruced-up digital assistant wants to chat you up

"OK Google, let's get to know each other a little better." Google said it is ramping up the capabilities of its digital assistant, which has been known as "OK Google" or Google Now. "We truly want to take the next step in being more assistive for our users," Google CEO Sundar Pichai said on stage Wednesday at the company's annual I/O developer conference. So far, this digital assistant has worked as a voice-controlled version of Google's core search services, allowing people using Android smartphones or some Google app to ask specific questions, look up directions or check the weather. The company now wants to make its digital assistant capable of more natural two-way conversation, which could make the tool far more valuable for users and help Google create deeper connections to its audience.