After a relatively unremarkable year with the LG G5 and the V20, a lot rides on the G6 for LG. With every OEM focusing on building their own AI-powered virtual assistant this year, LG has taken a slightly different approach. The company’s G6 will ship with Google Assistant baked in, presumably making it the first handset after the Pixel to do so.
Up until now, Google has kept its new virtual assistant exclusive to its devices, but with the G6, it plans on expanding its assistant to other non-Google devices as well. LG has already sent out invites for unveiling the G6 at MWC in Barcelona next month.
LG was the first company to launch an Android device running Nougat last year with the V20. The company has developed a close partnership with Google which has allowed it to release major Android updates for its flagship devices ahead of other companies.
The report from Business Korea also adds that LG’s upcoming smartwatches will be used by Google to launch its Android Wear 2.0 platform. Unlike the Pixel, though, the LG smartwatches will be marketed under the Korean company’s name and are expected to be unveiled on February 9th.
Apart from Google, LG is also strengthening its partnership and cooperation Amazon to collaborate with them. It has already launched some smart home appliances featuring Alexa, though it remains unclear if it plans on launching a smartphone with Alexa integration as well.
[Via Business Korea]