The coronavirus pandemic has forced people to order takeout from their favorite restaurants. This is much safer since the pandemic has prevented people from dining-in.
Google is now trying to make the process faster by having Google Assistant fill in contact information and payment details automatically on Android phones after you find a restaurant through Google Search.
Google Assistant to help fill out order forms
In order to use the new feature, you will have to search for whatever restaurant you like to order from in the Google app, then select the "Order Online" button on the restaurant's information card, as per Engadget.
After making your food selections, you can tag in Google Assistant to complete the order by using your stored contact and payment information from Google Pay and Chrome Autofill. Google Assistant will then confirm when you are ready to pay, and the order will be placed.
Also Read: Google Assistant's 'Tell Me A Story' Feature Makes Bedtime Stories Available Anytime, Anywhere
Is it safe?
However, there are some limitations to be aware of. Google stated that Google Assistant will only be able to help with pickup orders, as for deliveries it will come at some point in the future.
The feature only works with restaurants Google has partnered with for online ordering, and it can only be done from the Google app on an Android phone.
This is to make sure that the process is safe, especially since users will have to type in their personal information.
Google plans to add more restaurants in the United States later this year, according to Techia News.
Google and Duplex
Google stated that Duplex is what powers the new takeout feature, which might seem unusual given the origins of the tech.
Duplex was introduced as a way to automate making reservations and appointments over the phone, only to have the name later applied to automated form-filling for online car rentals and movie ticket purchases, The Verge reported.
As what Google says, Duplex does has expanded its voice and has become less central, but the basic theme is still that it can handle some busywork automatically for you.
All of these newer Duplex features does not have the same impressive factor than the original phone reservation demo, but it could be more convenient.
Parsing and filling out online forms is a very common online activity, especially when dealing with a restaurant that you only order from once. Having Google Assistant do the all the filling out can make the process easier and faster, as it is much better than calling in to order. You can even turn it off if you want to.
Google also has a couple of other new Assistant features coming in the near future.
The company is working on Smart home automated routines that can be set to trigger at sunrise or sunset, and there is a more useful feature called Find My Phone for Apple devices.
Apple product users have been able to ask a Google Home device to find iPhones and iPads, but the feature did not work if the missing device was set to silent or it did not have an internet connection. Now Google Assistant can ring a missing device even if the Do Not Disturb turned on.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sieeka Khan
