2021 Assistant Recap

In 2021, Google Assistant's Developer Relations team highlighted several advancements and tools for developers, including enhancements to App Actions, Smart Home Actions, and Conversational Actions. App Actions have improved integration with Android, utilizing new features like the shortcuts.xml configuration for better interaction with Google Assistant, and introduced a Core Integration Capabilities API allowing developers to define specific user actions. Smart Home Actions saw the release of new resources, including a smart home directory and support for multiple languages, alongside quality improvements in debugging and monitoring tools. Conversational Actions introduced updates such as a Developer Preview for client-side fulfillment in Interactive Canvas and enhancements to SSML features for more nuanced text-to-speech functionalities. Additionally, the introduction of a new transaction workflow for smart displays and tools like the Interactive Canvas Developer Tools were notable highlights. These updates aim to streamline development processes and enhance user interaction with Google Assistant services.