Using Google Assistant to shop on Google Express is one of the big selling points of Google Home, and now that capability is coming to compatible smartphones with Google Assistant enabled. An exact time frame for the feature’s release was not published, but Google did say in its press release that the feature would be released “soon”. Customers will be able to simply ask Assistant to buy a certain type of item from a retailer of choice, and if that retailer is on Google Express, Assistant will pull up a list of items that may be what the customer is looking for. From there, the customer can simply tap on an item and place the order. As a bonus, today’s announcement also said that Target was expanding to full nationwide status on Google Express, so as long as you have a Target near you, you can now shop its inventory on Google Express, and have items delivered from it.
Shopping on your phone through Google Express is already quite easy and flexible through the Google Express app, but Assistant integration promises to make it the quickest and easiest shopping experience around. All you have to do is say what you want, pick an item from the list, and then add it to your cart or authorize payment. After that short series of actions, less than 30 seconds of device interaction, your purchase will be headed to whatever address you have on file for Google Express. You can even change the shipping address on the fly during the ordering process, if you wish.
Target’s expansion in Google Express marks the beginning of a full-on partnership with Google to bring new features to Google Express shoppers, and one of the first new features to emerge is the ability to add in your Target REDcard to Google Express for extra benefits. Customers who do this will enjoy 5% off of a wide variety of items, though not the store’s entire inventory, as well as free shipping. Shoppers can also get personalized shopping recommendations and results, such as asking for La Croix water, and having Assistant pull up the quantity and variety that you normally buy. More features will be coming soon, and other retailers may even follow Target’s lead in the future.