[Update 2: Assistant Official] Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa may be coming to the Xbox One

Update 2 (9/26/19 @ 10:00 AM ET): Microsoft has now announced Google Assistant for the Xbox One as well.

Update 1 (9/6/18 @ 12:25 PM ET): Microsoft has officially rolled out Amazon Alexa support to the Xbox One.

It appears that Microsoft’s Xbox One console will support both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, according to a leaked screenshot obtained by Windows Central. While you can currently use Cortana on the Xbox One, it has a number of limitations. Not only is it of much poorer quality than both the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, using it requires a headset or a Kinect sensor. It’s fairly impractical, as not every person is using a headset to play games or watch TV and even fewer will have the Kinect sensor laying around.

After enabling third-party digital assistants on the Xbox One, you’ll then have to search for Xbox in the assistant app of your choosing. According to Windows Central, the screenshot comes from a reliable source who is familiar with current discussions between Microsoft and Amazon. We don’t know what features you’ll be able to take advantage of, but it’s likely that you’ll have access to the thousands of assistant features from both platforms. Thanks to the growing number of integrations that Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are both gaining, this will greatly improve the Xbox One’s use as a home entertainment center.

But the good news isn’t over. As previously reported by Windows Central, a deal between Microsoft and Amazon to integrate Cortana with Alexa may have been struck. This would mean Microsoft would allow access to Amazon Alexa on most of its products. Similarly, perhaps they’ve struck a deal with Google to integrate Google Assistant as well. It’s a bit of a strange addition, but there’s not much to complain about when our existing devices become smarter. It’s unknown when the update to the Xbox One will arrive, but it’s likely to come sooner rather than later if we’re starting to see leaks of it. There’s also a chance that the deal falls through and it never comes to fruition, so don’t get too excited.

Update 1: Alexa Arrives

Microsoft is rolling out a featured called “Xbox Skill” to the Xbox One. This allows users to interact with the Xbox through Alexa and Cortana-enabled devices. The rumored Google Assistant integration is not here, at least not yet. Just ask Cortana or Alexa “Ask Xbox what can I say?” to learn more about what you can do with commands.

Source: Windows Central

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Update 2: Assistant Official

Microsoft has announced the public beta for the “Xbox Action for Google Assistant.” This allows you to control the Xbox One with your voice through Google Assistant on your phone and Google Home devices. Those controls include the ability to turn your console on and off, launch games and apps, play and pause videos, and more. The beta is available today to all English customers.

Here’s how to get started with the beta:

1. Join the Google Group with the Google Account you intend to use
2. Sign into your Xbox
3. In the Google Home app for iOS or Android:
   1. Tap “+ Add”
   2. Tap “Set up device”
   3. Tap “Have something already set up?”
   4. Search for and select “[beta] Xbox”
4. Sign in with the Microsoft account you use on Xbox
5. Follow the instructions to link your Xbox and give it a device name

Source: Reddit

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