SPH ties up with Google to deliver news, podcasts via Google Home

BY simply speaking to Google Home, users of the voice-enabled smart speaker will be able to listen to news and podcasts from The Business Times, The Straits Times and SPH Radio's Money FM 89.3.

Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), the parent company of The Business Times, announced the tie-up with Google on Wednesday.

Google Home, a range of voice-enabled speakers powered by the Google Assistant, will hit shelves in Singapore on Apr 20.

To get their dose of local news, users need only download the Google Home app, set their device language to "English (Singapore)" and give voice commands such as: "Ok Google, listen to news from The Straits Times" or "Hey Google, play me the news from The Business Times".

They can also set The Straits Times or The Business Times as their preferred news providers to ensure they receive the latest news from these titles.

SPH will provide four audio feeds for Google Home: a news bulletin from The Straits Times, presented by Money FM 89.3; a financial news bulletin from The Business Times, presented by Money FM 89.3; a podcast by The Straits Times; and a segment called Need to Know, offering tips on career development and personal growth, which is presented by Business Insider Singapore and Money FM 89.3.

From Apr 20, new subscribers to either The Straits Times All-Digital package or The Straits Times All-Digital + Print package will also receive a Google Home Mini, or can top up S$79 for a Google Home.

Said SPH deputy chief executive officer Anthony Tan: "SPH is constantly experimenting to improve our user experience and to bring our audiences the news and content they need in fresh and innovative formats.

"Voice-enabled technology is the latest frontier and we see a lot of potential to use it to increase our engagement with audiences. We are delighted to collaborate with Google on this initiative and congratulate them on the launch of Google Home, alongside our strategic partner StarHub, in Singapore."

StarHub is the exclusive telco partner for Google Home in Singapore.

Google Singapore country director Stephanie Davis said: "As we launch the Google Home and Home Mini here, we are delighted to continue our close partnership with Singapore Press Holdings, to provide new ways of delivering trusted and relevant information to Singaporeans wherever they are - be it on the go, or within the comfort of their homes."

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