With the start of the second season of “Stranger Things,” fans of the Netflix’s hit show can now play a game on their Google Home devices. Also, a small spoiler warning beforehand, as the game is based upon the events in the brand new season. Designed specifically for Google Assistant, the game lets you experience a bit of the atmosphere of the show by turning your device into a walkie-talkie. Saying “OK Google, talk to Dustin from Stranger Things” (it also works with Hey Google) will start the game, which will then require players to help the characters navigate the nefarious landscapes by giving them directions via voice commands. Of course, the game is free to play, but it’s only available for the owners of Google Home devices in U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. If you have a phone with Google Assistant built-in it works this way too.
As for Google Home, this smart speaker has been getting expanded support recently, especially in the entertainment department. Not only you can ask it to play your favorite Netflix shows, or audio-based games like the Stranger Things one, but it can also control other streaming services like Youtube, HBO NOW, and CBS All Access. Connecting to your television set through Google’s Chromecast, the device will be making the remote control a thing of the past. Or, at least, that’s what Google is hoping for. Like with other voice-activated services from Google, the user can access these by starting the sentence with either “OK” or “Hey Google”, followed by a command. The company has also introduced the new version of the device earlier this month named Google Home Mini. This smaller gadget does everything the original Google Home does but replaces the mute button with a switch and it’s powered via a micro USB cable. Later this year, Google is also expected to release the Max version of this device that has integrated machine learning algorithms and its expected to compete with Apple’s HomePod.
Stranger Things was a surprise hit last year, with an impressive reception from both fans and critics and it’s no wonder it was renewed for another season followed by an even bigger promotion. The second season was released yesterday on Netflix, with nine more episodes that blend sci-fi movies of the 80s with the adventuring spirit of the classics like The Goonies.