Did Google change something with its Assistant? It's ignoring region settings now - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So for the longest time I've had my phone (and both Google home devices and my Chromecast) set up with language and region as English(UK). The assistant speaks in a really nice, natural British accent and it's a good, personal way to get information about my day.
But all of a sudden Google seems to be ignoring region settings, and the voice is this shrill, nasally American thing that's just irritating to listen to. I've gone through all my Google settings in both Chrome, the Google Home app and my phone and everything is set to English(UK). If I reset the Google Home, before it connects to the internet it's got the right voice. But once Google talks to the devices, back comes the nasally voice.
The weird thing is that some settings still have the British accent, such as when it's reading something off the web.
Anyone know what Google did that breaks my Assistant?
I thought about it being an App update, and I don't think so- I uninstalled updates to the Google App to see if that would change anything (to roll it back) and it didn't.

Related

[Q] Voice guidance option missing

Hi, I have a Titan that I bought through Expansys and am using in Canada. The OS version is 7.10.7720.68. I have the "Browser and search language" set to "English (United States)", and the US-only features like scout show up on the maps app. I can search for directions, by when I tap on them, there's no voice guidance. If I go to Settings under Maps, my first setting is "Change map orientation for driving directions". I understand I'm missing an option called "Read directions aloud when tapping"? Is anyone else missing this or have an idea for getting that option to show up?
I don't have it too. All settings set to English US. I got my phone from Russia.
Weird thing is that voice command has a British accent, and speech settings are missing several options as compared to my previous LG Optimus 7.

[Q] How do you determine how Google pronounces words?

Certain words, like "Boerne," (the city I live in) isn't recognized correctly by Google, and I'm not sure how to figure out how Google pronounces that.
First, is there an app I can use to force Google to read a sentence so I know how to say "Boerne" in Google language?
Second, is there a way to change the way Google pronounces things? I can do so with people's names in the People/Contacts app, but not system-wide.

[Q] Can't set default navigation app

Whenever I tap on a location (e.g., address in contacts) AT&T navigation takes over. I don't even get a choice to select a default. I disabled AT&T navigation, but this didn't help - selecting the address doesn't do anything anymore. This is all on a HTC One with stock rom.
Next I rooted the device and flashed the latest CleanROM 4.0 from 7/31. This rom doesn't have the AT&T navigator. Unfortunately, it still behaves the same (selecting an address in contacts doesn't do anything). On all of my previous Android phones I was able to select Google Maps as default. This doesn't seem to be possible with the HTC One (at least with the roms I have tried). I also tried using a default app manager without any success.
Any suggestion on how to enable google maps as default navigation up is appreciated.
Open Google Maps, select the arrow icon at the top and start typing a contact name in the destination box. It's a round about way of accomplishing the same thing you seem to be after. There's no way to set Maps as the default any longer.
Thanks jdk2. It's not a perfect but reasonable workaround.
I am wondering about your statement that there is no way to set the default anymore, though. After all, AT&T Navigator is used as default if you don't disable it. If AT&T can bind their stuff, it should be technically possible to bind other apps to it.
Come to think of it, this might be an issue just with contacts. Any other app that deals with addresses allows me to pick Google Maps.

Google hidden sync items

Hey guys,
When enabling the hidden sync option in experimental settings, it reveals quite a few new sync items and in wondering what they are and what some of them turn themselves back on when I disable them.
Game Data - this shows up twice.
Credentials State
Google Nearby (I'm assuming this is for maps)
Location Reporting and Location History (I have location completely disabled and location reporting disabled in Google settings... This keeps turning itself back on)
Push Subscriptions
People Details
Any light you can shed on this would be appreciated.
you're not alone wondering
The day I have been looking for an answer myself on this topic you started this thread.
The fine folks over here seem to have been ignoring your post, but so you know you are not alone wondering.
I have been disabling the hidden services for days now and tried to find a pattern or activity that turns them back on to no avail.
Even search engine results seem to be filtered of any useful answer, but this may be just another conspiracy theory...
If you found out more on this, post it here please.
And thanks.
lleo_ said:
The day I have been looking for an answer myself on this topic you started this thread.
The fine folks over here seem to have been ignoring your post, but so you know you are not alone wondering.
I have been disabling the hidden services for days now and tried to find a pattern or activity that turns them back on to no avail.
Even search engine results seem to be filtered of any useful answer, but this may be just another conspiracy theory...
If you found out more on this, post it here please.
And thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of them are self explanatory.
Game data: for games (whether you have them or not) so that your scores are uptodate.
Credentials state: for certificates in your device.
Google nearby: for maps and NFC
Location reporting and history: to keep your location details uptodate
Push subscriptions: to keep your push subscriptions uptodate (like mail Whatsapp etc)
People details: to keep your contacts list uptodate
I don't know why these are not obvious.
Regarding some of them automatically getting re-enabled, I don't have any such issues. If you continue to have these issues, you may have to use something like Myandroidtools or Disable Service etc to keep them under control.
tnsmani said:
All of them are self explanatory.
Game data: for games (whether you have them or not) so that your scores are uptodate.
Credentials state: for certificates in your device.
Google nearby: for maps and NFC
Location reporting and history: to keep your location details uptodate
Push subscriptions: to keep your push subscriptions uptodate (like mail Whatsapp etc)
People details: to keep your contacts list uptodate
I don't know why these are not obvious.
Regarding some of them automatically getting re-enabled, I don't have any such issues. If you continue to have these issues, you may have to use something like Myandroidtools or Disable Service etc to keep them under control.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really thanks for your reply.
The visible items are self-explanatory indeed. As the OP reported, what is troubling why is there a hidden "location reporting and location history" sync option and why does it get re-enabled after being turned off. I also do not use any location service and turned off everything I could on my CM11 on Nexus 5
Can you tell which service do you suggest to be disabled to keep the "location reporting and location history" sync disabled?
lleo_ said:
Really thanks for your reply.
The visible items are self-explanatory indeed. As the OP reported, what is troubling why is there a hidden "location reporting and location history" sync option and why does it get re-enabled after being turned off. I also do not use any location service and turned off everything I could on my CM11 on Nexus 5
Can you tell which service do you suggest to be disabled to keep the "location reporting and location history" sync disabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not familiar with CM11 so I can't tell you any options in that. Also in my Nexus 4 and 7 with stock KK 4.4.4, I don't have a hidden sync for location.
If you use Myandroidtools or Disable Service, then disable anything connected with location. There are quite a few.
If you run Tasker you can make sure your sync settings stay put; location reporting isn't re-enabled, by using the Synker plugin for Tasker and having it set things how you want them at Display On, Display Off, and Screen Unlocked events.
Additionally, Shazam has a hidden sync that re-enabled itself when you run the app. I just use a Task shortcut: Launch Shazam
Wait Short period
Plugins-> Synker, and set it with the autisyncs you want.
Beware that Google services pushed to the phone can change the number of sync options, as can installing Shazam or Skype for examples, and the calls to plugin need to be adjusted. Its less hassle than it sounds.
Hi im facing an issue with google sync, im not able to get the game data sync option in google sync. i have updated google play services,play store..and also play games. kindly help me if know any solution.
I am currently running on cm11 rc3...it was working before..now its not...
il hit the thanks button guys..
srinikethan1392 said:
Hi im facing an issue with google sync, im not able to get the game data sync option in google sync. i have updated google play services,play store..and also play games. kindly help me if know any solution.
I am currently running on cm11 rc3...it was working before..now its not...
il hit the thanks button guys..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have disabled any sync option with DisableService or MyAndroidTools etc re-enable them.
CM's constant revision sometimes changes things unexpectedly. So try with a previous version of CM.
tnsmani said:
If you have disabled any sync option with DisableService or MyAndroidTools etc re-enable them.
CM's constant revision sometimes changes things unexpectedly. So try with a previous version of CM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,thanks for the reply...i finally solved it....
srinikethan1392 said:
Hi,thanks for the reply...i finally solved it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How?
tnsmani said:
How?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey after flashing and updating the gapps..check in settings..in sync....if it stills hasnt appeared. use greenify and hibernate the google play services. then just restart your phone(Not necessary, sometimes it just works)then checck...the sync for game data and other hidden sync items just appear...
Press thanks if helped
They are spying on you. These HIDDEN accounts are there and the sheep who use stock android can't see them because they are HIDDEN in stock Android. They keep adding themselves back, they check themselves even if you unckeck them, they sync things you tell them not to sync, and it's NOT because you update something as I have not updated Cyanogenmod from 4.4 and it happens every time I start my tablet. Google will keep spying and can care less if its illegal to keep syncing things you don't want to sync because Google owns the US government. Google saved HHS when ACH Website failed, they have imbedded themselves so far into the government they are like a cancer that can't be removed. The US Gov "lent" Google GeoSat, one of our SPY satellites to make Google Earth, something that cost tax payers a lot of money. Google may provide Google Earth for free but they STEAL your personal information when you use the service, which means Google got free use of a US Government, taxpayer owned, SPY satellite so they could make more money for their private (not government run) company. Google gets free & subsidized aircraft fuel from NASA for their fleet of Attack Jets (IE fighter planes) also subsidized by WE THE PEOPLE. I am not some conspiracy theorist; I have worked for both sides of the isle on this one and can tell you Google is a problem.
Let's be honest, XDA has turned into a bunch of fanboys; it's not the site we had years ago. I have been fighting this crap for years (Look at my post history) and if you have not figured out yet, most of us who cared about privacy left XDA years ago. This is why no one is responding here; no one left cares. You are very correct, Google Play Services is MALWARE in disguise. I am not a crApple lover at all, and still use Android (for now), but am sick of Google's crap. I ported out my Google Voice number today and now have very little left to do with the company.
Google services is a framework that GApps and most stuff downloaded from the Play Store rely on to function. It used to be you can disable it and still have apps work, but a lot of them now wont even load if its removed or disabled. Google says its a way for app devs to take shortcuts, but it's there for one reason: Make App Devs LAZY so they they use Google's SPYWARE. App Devs (even most paid ones) don't give a crap about your privacy; most are adding ad code so they can steal your personal information. Google loves this as it opens up your device to have everything stolen, by not only Google but 3rd parties. Why do you think Google removed the ability to block app permissions then claimed it was a dev only feature? Google could care less about your privacy.
I sent the three main Google guys (@Google email not @gmail... Yes I know the Google Guys Real Emails) a project proposal from the company I own two years ago; they [legal, but Shady] stole the idea and nine months later made the announcement that in a few months they would be starting on Android Auto. My SMS messages going through Google Voice started to have issues shortly after with anything concerning to business coming in slow or didn't arrive at all, my Google+ posts were blocked for unknown reasons just saying they "didn't fit the community guidelines", and my Camera/Mic was constantly pushing popups saying they "couldn't start as they were already active" when I tried to use them on my Android Devices. I don't know why it's so hard for these sheep to believe a $500 Bil company, one of the most powerful in the world, wouldn't be spying on competitors or even stealing ideas from the community. I wouldn't be shocked if these creepy elite weirdo's havn't come up with their own version of "unReality TV" where they just spy on regular people like watching a television show. They are creepy vampires, all of them. I have had dating emails sent to gmail from the dating site I use not arrive despite the company I use tracking down the emails and saying they made it to gmail servers and thus should have gone through, client emails be delayed until after project deadlines, phone calls not make it, SMS/MMS delayed and/or lost, etc. I have people telling me they emailed or called me without reply, etc. My PC is virus free and My Android Tablet is as well. I now use a dumb phone and forward everything to that number, which no shock the dumb phone works when people call, but anything that goes through Google servers is still hit or miss. No one I know has these problems, but no one I know has called Eric Schmidt some foul names, so I guess people will say "it's my fault". Whatever; you just didn't get robbed several billion on a project by a garbage greedy scumbag company.
Screw Google.
I have attached a little of what I am talking about because the net is filled with BS. The I had to block out a lot of the proposal email as they only stole part of the idea so far and this was my SECOND email. The first one has some how gone missing from my sent box, but had a DOC attachment with a formal business proposal. That went through, but as you can see from the screen shots, Eric Schmidt has now blocked me with a policy rule on his email. Again, they received the original proposal back in January of 2014, before this screen shot of the second correspondence, after which they started blocking my Google+ Posts and when I send this second correspondence email I found out I was blocked by Eric. Nice! Steal my ideas, try and cover up email (missed one! OOPS!) then block me! Google "Does No Evil!" Oh wait, Google is nothing more than an advertising agency pretending to be a tech company... I guess thats where we get the lies "Do no evil". Everyone knows advertising lies.
Amen!
Unfortunately any resistance is futile. I'm in the same boat.
tnsmani said:
All of them are self explanatory.
Game data: for games (whether you have them or not) so that your scores are uptodate.
Credentials state: for certificates in your device.
Google nearby: for maps and NFC
Location reporting and history: to keep your location details uptodate
Push subscriptions: to keep your push subscriptions uptodate (like mail Whatsapp etc)
People details: to keep your contacts list uptodate
I don't know why these are not obvious.
Regarding some of them automatically getting re-enabled, I don't have any such issues. If you continue to have these issues, you may have to use something like Myandroidtools or Disable Service etc to keep them under control.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This helped already a lot !!!
Can someone please additionally explain those. As I translated them ... please write the correct name too ....
- *reminders (which ? cant be calender reminders)
- *offline sync of login data
- *state of login data
Where do u see the hidden sync items ? I am unable to find them.
dhananjay123 said:
Where do u see the hidden sync items ? I am unable to find them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have enabled the option in Greenify, go to DEVICE>SETTINGS>ACCOUNTS>Google
can we disable/remove/delete them?
patrickdrd said:
can we disable/remove/delete them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can disable (although some reenable themselves)
how? my androidtools?
patrickdrd said:
how? my androidtools?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After enabling option in Greenify head to accounts in settings.

Android assistant

Hello all.
I'm posting today to find out you guys' opinion on Google Assistant, privacy wise.
I have nothing to hide, but I'm kind of weary of my phone listening in on me, the songs I listen, the appointments I make, and so on. Google does profit from gathering data...
On a related question, is Google Assistant listening in at all times, looking for the trigger words?

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