42 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2020REVIEW
coming down the pike, but as it stands, Motion Sense
is extremely limited and not very useful – a neat trick in
search of a party.
Still, Google deserves points for developing a
system that actually works. Where Air Motion on
the LG G8 is a finicky experience that requires more
precision and patience than most people would
be willing to extend, Motion Sense works the first
time (nearly) every time. So there’s definitely a
solid foundation to work with.New Assistant
The Pixel 4 XL is also the showcase for the ‘new’
Google Assistant (currently US-only), which is a
streamlined interface and a faster response time. I
didn’t get anywhere near the rapid-fire speed that was
demoed at Google I/O, but it’s definitely improved.
The new Assistant interface is the bigger story, and
it’s vastly better than any other AI chatbot, including
Assistant on other devices. Instead of a window that
takes over part (or all) of your screen, Assistant occupies
a tiny space at the bottom of the display that will
only expand to show you what you need to see. With
Continued Conversation enabled, you’ll be able to ask
follow-up questions in quick succession, and I didn’t
experience any issues with it understanding me (though
issues are rare with the old Assistant too).
Google hasn’t indicated when or if the new Assistant
will be arriving in the UK, though we’re hoping it won’t
be too long. Before that happens, however, a few
things will need to be cleared up. For one, the new
Assistant only works if you have gesture navigation42 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2020REVIEW
comingdownthepike,butasit stands,MotionSense
is extremelylimitedandnotveryuseful– a neat trick in
search of a party.
Still, Google deserves points for developing a
systemthatactuallyworks.WhereAirMotionon
theLGG8 is a finicky experience that requires more
precision and patience than most people would
be willing to extend, Motion Sense works the first
time(nearly)everytime.Sothere’sdefinitelya
solidfoundation to work with.New Assistant
The Pixel 4 XL is also the showcase for the ‘new’
Google Assistant (currently US-only), which is a
streamlined interface and a faster response time. I
didn’t get anywhere near the rapid-fire speed that was
demoed at Google I/O, but it’s definitely improved.
The new Assistant interface is the bigger story, and
it’s vastly better than any other AI chatbot, including
Assistant on other devices. Instead of a window that
takes over part (or all) of your screen, Assistant occupies
a tiny space at the bottom of the display that will
only expand to show you what you need to see. With
Continued Conversation enabled, you’ll be able to ask
follow-up questions in quick succession, and I didn’t
experience any issues with it understanding me (though
issues are rare with the old Assistant too).
Google hasn’t indicated when or if the new Assistant
will be arriving in the UK, though we’re hoping it won’t
be too long. Before that happens, however, a few
things will need to be cleared up. For one, the new
Assistant only works if you have gesture navigation