Chatting Up the Google Assistant

Q. Can I have a conversation with Google Assistant, or will there be an update in the future that will let me have one? A. Google Assistant, the company's voice-based helper software that is similar to Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana software, can already hold basic two-way conversations based on spoken or typed questions and commands. However, more intricate interaction with all these virtual assistant apps is coming as companies expand their research into the scientific areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing. The Google Assistant software is available as an app for Android and iOS devices, built into Google Home and other speakers, Android-based wearables, cars, televisions, smart-home appliances and other gear. If you are not sure how to talk to the program, the Google Assistant site has a lengthy list of the questions, commands and topics that you can use with the software, complete with suggestions on how to phrase your requests.