Microsoft launches public beta of Xbox Action for the Google Assistant

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by Radu Tyrsina 

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Microsoft’s Xbox One consoles are getting support for one more digital assistant today. Following the launch of the Xbox skill for Alexa and Cortana last Fall, the Redmond giant has just announced the availability of the Xbox Action for the Google Assistant.

This new capability is currently available in beta to all customers using the Assistant in English. The new Xbox Action for the Google Assistant will work on all Home-enabled devices from Google, but the Google Assistant apps for iOS and Android will work just as well. You’ll also need the Google Home app for iOS and Android to get started with the beta:

Here are the steps you’ll have to follow to get started:

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

When you have connected to Google Assistant to your Xbox One, you’ll be able to use voice commands to turn your console on and off, launch games, apps, and videos, control music or video playback, and much more. You can find below a couple of voice commands you can try today:

Action Command
Turn on Hey Google, turn on Xbox.
Turn off Hey Google, turn off Xbox.
Launch game Hey Google, play Gears 5 on Xbox.
Volume up Hey Google, volume up on Xbox.
Volume down Hey Google, volume down on Xbox.
Mute Hey Google, mute Xbox.
Un-mute Hey Google, un-mute Xbox.
Pause* Hey Google, pause.
Play* Hey Google, play.
Next* Hey Google, next.
Previous* Hey Google, previous
Take a screenshot Hey Google, take a screenshot on Xbox.
Record a game clip Hey Google, record that on Xbox.
Reboot Hey Google, reboot Xbox.
Stop Hey Google, stop on Xbox.
Watch a TV channel (if live TV is configured) Hey Google, switch to PBS on Xbox.

Google Assistant is one of the most popular digital assistants out there along with Alexa, thanks to its native integration on Android. Google has also started rolling out its Assistant on select Chromebooks, and the company is also investing heavily in smart appliances. It’s great news for Xbox One users to have alternatives to Kinect or Cortana voice commands on the console, and we hope this openess regarding digital assistants will continue with the next-gen “Project Scarlett” Xbox console.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina Shield

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.