Google has announced Hindi support for its voice-based Google Assistant on Android phones running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow or above, as per a PTI report. It will also be rolling out this feature to Android 5.0 Lollipop, Android Oreo (Go edition)and iPhone devices soon.

With this launch, users will now be able to ask questions and receive answers from Google Assistant in Hindi. They will also be able to give Hindi voice commands for tasks like setting alarms, finding directions, sending text messages and setting reminders among others.

Users will be able to access the Hindi Google Assistant by setting their device language to Hindi and updating the Google Search app to the latest version.

Developers and businesses can also now build additional actions for the Hindi assistant through Google’s developer platform Actions on Google.

This move comes few months after the Internet giant had introduced Hindi Google Assistant on its messaging app Google Allo along with debuting a special variant of Google Assistant for JioPhone that supports Hindi and English. It had also rolled out limited support for Hindi language on Google Assistant app in January this year.

Google is also set to launch its smart speaker Google Home in India later this year and had started inviting developers to build apps on its ‘Actions on Google’ platform.

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HMD Global, a Finnish startup which has licensed to design Nokia brand of phones, once the invincible leader of the global mobile phone markets, has announced four new Android-powered smartphones — Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, new Nokia 6 and Nokia 1 — at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday.

In addition to these models, the company has also relaunched its iconic slider phone Nokia 8110, with 4G connectivity, and apps including Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Search, Facebook and Twitter.

Three new Nokia smartphones — the Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus and the new Nokia 6 — join the Android One family, powered by new AI features. Each of the new phones comes with a limited number of pre-installed apps.

The Nokia 8110 phone, one of the biggest hits of the 1990s, comes with a familiar and easy-to-use interface and features intuitive tactile mechanics, with slide to answer and end calls.

Surprisingly, the model comes with a revamped version of Snake.

With two colours to choose from, traditional black and banana yellow, the Nokia 8110 will be available from May this year and will retail for a global average retail price of €79 (INR 6,310 or USD 97.48), excluding taxes and subsidies.

“This time last year, we started our journey with huge expectations from fans and a massive responsibility to deliver on the legacy of one of the most innovative brands in our space. Since the,  we have reintroduced well-loved icons, forged partnerships with friends old and new and delivered our pure, secure and up-to-date Android experience across our smartphone portfolio. Last year we shipped over 70 million Nokia phones,” said Florian Seiche, CEO of HMD Global.

Nokia 8 Sirocco will be available from early April for a global average retail price of €749. Nokia 7 Plus will be available from early April for a global average retail price of €399. New Nokia 6 will be available from May for a global average retail price of €279.

Nokia 1 will be available from early April for a global average retail price of $85. Xpress-on covers, sold separately, are available from $7.99 in Azure, Grey, Yellow and Pink. Nokia 8110 will be available from May for a global average retail price of €79. All prices exclude taxes and subsidies.

1 EURO=USD 1.23 or INR 79.88

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