Google launches chat-based Assistant

Google has announced a conversation-based tool to control smartphones, smartwatches and other devices. Google Assistant can be used to find information, play media and carry out tasks - such as booking cinema tickets - via a back-and-forth chat between the user and the software. The firm also announced a voice-activated device with a built-in speaker called Google Home to provide the tech in living rooms. Amazon launched its own dialogue-based smart home device in 2014, and has since included the Alexa voice assistant that powers it in some of its other products. Google's chief executive Sundar Pichai credited Amazon with having pioneered the idea.