Only available on Google’s Nest Hub Max and in English for now, the principle of “Look and Talk” – as its name suggests – is to look at a device and launch a request directly.

The option is activated in the Face Match section of the assistant’s settings, and the device will then instantly recognise the user. Several profiles can be saved.

The system is relatively simple to use since you just have to be in front of the screen at a distance of less than 1.5m away. Even before speaking, a small animated icon will be automatically displayed in the upper-left corner of the screen, indicating you are well positioned.

From there, you can launch an action without having to utter “Hey, Google”.

This development has not exactly come as a surprise, as the trend has been for the brand to gradually abandon speech in favour of more motion-based actions.

Owners of a Pixel 6 can now experiment with Google Assistant without having to systematically start with “Hey, Google” for certain actions, such as having to repeat an alarm (you just have to say “repeat” for the smartphone to execute) or refuse a call (“refuse”).

Eventually, other common commands such as turning on lights or playing music could be added to this list.

Meanwhile, a “conversation” mode already allows users to launch a series of commands without having to systematically repeat “Hey, Google” before each of them.