Google Can Read Your Emailed Bills and Remind You to Pay Up - Digits - WSJ

An example of how it can be useful to let Google "read" your email messages

"Users can tap the microphone icon in the app and ask “Show me my bills” or “My bills due this week,” and it will show upcoming bills, how much is owed, as well as a summary of past bills.

This is an extension of the Google Now personal assistant technology, which tries to anticipate users’ needs and sends useful information to them before they ask for it. Google already scans users’ email accounts for flight information, hotel reservations and packages that may be delivered soon from online order confirmations."

Google Can Read Your Emailed Bills and Remind You to Pay Up - Digits - WSJ