Google has updated its virtual assistant, Google Now. It's now capable of pulling information from third-party services and showing the notifications on cards.

Previously, cards were only available for Google services, but the new update brings Airbnb, Instacart, Pandora and more cards onto the service.

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"In the morning, catch up on news of the day with cards from The Guardian. On your commute, Pandora can give you recommendations for music to play, based on what you like, or you can be reminded to complete your daily French lesson on Duolingo." Google said in a blog post.

"During your downtime, you can take care of the groceries, with a card from Instacart reminding you to stock up on the things you often order."

The implementation of third-party apps should give Google Now a real edge over Cortana and Siri -- Microsoft and Apple's virtual assistants -- both incapable of providing third-party updates and cards.

It will also feed into the growth of Android Wear, which utilizes Google Now on most of the interface. Google needs Android Wear to start being more than a second display to an Android device, considering the Apple Watch launch is just around the corner.

Google will continue to integrate more third-party services onto Google Now, and will keep reviewing entries before admission. This closed-door approach is different from Google's general review process of Android, mostly done through automation services.

Google Now has the potential to become one of the most relevant services, but Google needs to make users keep coming to the service, instead of opening individual apps.

It also needs to work on artificial intelligence, dictation, and nature language to make Google Now an even more intelligent virtual assistant.

TagsGoogle Now, Google Now cards, virtual assistant