Google Home is a rival of Amazon Echo and Apple’s HomePod – the device allows anyone to harness the power of the tech giant’s Assistant at any time just by saying “hey Google”.
The smart speaker is regularly updated, giving owners new functionality that can be incredibly useful.
But now users have received a new feature dubbed “tell me something good” that will prompt the Google Assistant to scour the web for news stories its algorithm deems positive.
Google insisted the addition is part of an “experiment” that could “bring some good to your day”.
In a blog post introducing the new feature, the tech giant wrote: “The news has always played an essential role in our lives, keeping us informed about the world and the issues we care about.
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“These days we’re consuming more news than ever, and sometimes, it can feel like there are only problems out there. But the fact is, there is a plethora of ‘good news’ happening, and we’re not talking about unlikely animal friendships or random acts of kindness.
“Real people are making progress solving real issues—and hearing about those stories is a crucial part of a balanced media diet.
“‘Tell me something good’ isn’t meant to be a magic solution. But it’s an experiment worth trying because it’s good info about good work that may bring some good to your day.”
Google added the Solutions Journalism Network will play a part in filtering the stories that will be offered to those that ask for it.
The Silicon Valley firm continued: “The stories come from a wide range of media outlets, curated and summarised by the Solutions Journalism Network. They’re a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to spreading the practice of solutions journalism, which highlights how problems are solvable and that doing better is possible.
“Solutions journalism empowers and energises audiences, helping to combat negative news fatigue.
“It’s an important part of a balanced news diet, so we’re exploring how to incorporate more solutions journalism wherever you access Google News.”
The functionality will be present on all devices capable of running the Google Assistant.
This includes Google Home, smartphones and smart displays.
Unfortunately the feature is currently only available on the US but Express.co.uk has asked Google if the feature is being planned to rollout in the UK.