Google Assistant guide: Make the most of your virtual assistant

 

Google Assistant guide: Make the most of your virtual assistant

Google Assistant was announced at Google’s I/O developer conference back in 2016 and made its official debut on the Pixel phones in October of the same year. It’s available on all handsets that run Android 5.0+ and have at least 1GB of RAM or Android 6.0+ and at least 1.5GB of RAM. Supported phones also have to have Google Play services installed and sport a minimum of a 720p display.

Assistant will only work if you have the device’s language set to a language it supports. In smartphones and tablets, these include English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and many others. The list of supported languages is not as extensive as some of the competition’s, but it is getting healthier. The only issue is not all Google Assistant devices support all languages. You can learn more about language support here.

The basics of Google Assistant are easy to understand, but there’s a lot more beneath the surface you may not be aware of. This post covers most of it — from explaining what is Assistant and how to use it to list the devices it powers and commands it understands. So whether you’re brand new to Google Assistant or have some knowledge about it, you should learn a few things in this post. Let’s dive in.

Also: Here is a list of the best Google products you can buy

What is Google Assistant?

Google Assistant is Google’s virtual helper that allows you to get stuff done faster. Instead of performing tasks manually by tapping your finger on the screen a gazillion times, you can get the job done by using voice commands.

Google Assistant is smart and very well integrated with Android. You can use it to open apps, send messages, make calls, play a specific song on Tidal, check the weather, and many other things without touching the screen of your phone.

Of course, Assistant isn’t available just on phones. You can also find it on smart speakers, smartwatches, headphones, and a plethora of other products — more on this later.

How to set up and use Google Assistant

To use Google Assistant on your Android smartphone, you first have to turn it on. Don’t worry — the process is so simple even your grandma could do it and won’t take more than a minute or two of your time.

Step-by-step instructions on how to enable Assistant:

Now that Assistant is turned on, it’s time to take it for a spin. You can do that by either saying “Ok, Google” or “Hey, Google”, and then stating your command. An example of this would be, “Ok, Google. Play a funny cat video on YouTube”.

Keep in mind that some phones have to be unlocked for this to work. If the screen is turned off when you say a command, Google Assistant will hear it but may ask you to unlock the phone before it can perform the requested task. It’s an annoying feature that’s there for safety reasons.

There are a few alternative methods of summoning Google Assistant. The main one is to press and hold the home button on your device and wait for Assistant to pop up. If you’re using gestures on Android 10 and/or don’t have a home button, you’ll have to swipe up from the bottom left or right edge. Some phones from brands like Nokia and LG also come with a dedicated Google Assistant button.

Keep in mind that you can also write to the Assistant instead of speaking to it. This comes in handy when you’re in public and don’t want people to think you’re crazy for giving your phone demands. To try this out, summon Assistant, tap the keyboard icon at the bottom, and type in your request.

Devices

There are two types of Google Assistant devices you must know about. One has Google Assistant built-in, while the other only works with Assistant. That means they don’t have Assistant built-in but can be controlled with voice commands via a phone, smart display, and other devices. We’ll take a closer look at the two options below.

Related: Which is the best Google Assistant smart speaker for your home?

Devices with Google Assistant built-in

Smartphones and tablets: Google Assistant is on board all newer phones and tablets as well as loads of older ones running at least Android 5.0. There are a few other requirements in this case, which you can check out in the intro of this post.

Smart speakers/displays: Getting either a smart speaker or a smart display is one of the first steps to take if you want to set up a smart home. A smart speaker can play the music you want, will answer any questions, you may have, and can be used to control other smart devices in your home. A smart display basically does the same thing but also allows you to watch videos on YouTube, make calls via Google Duo, and see who is at the front door when the device is connected to a smart doorbell. You can check out the best smart displays if you’re interested in getting one.

Chromebooks: Assistant is available on most Chromebooks — but you have to turn it on first. You can get the job done by opening the settings, selecting “Google Assistant” under “Search and Assistant”, and then turning it on. Once that’s done, you can summon it with a hotword and then state your demands. In case you’re in the market for a new Chromebook, we have a list of the best ones to spend your money on here.

TVs and streaming devices: Google Assistant runs natively on Google TV and Android TV boxes like the Nvidia Shield TV and Xiaomi Mi Box S. All you have to do is press the dedicated Assistant button on the remote and say a command.

Devices that work with Google Assistant

Smart cameras: While some cameras have Google Assistant built-in — like the Nest Cam IQ — most of them work best paired with a device like a smartphone or smart display. That way, you can see what’s going on in your backyard or the kitchen. Those interested can check out the best security cameras you can get at the link.

Lamps and light bulbs: If you’re just starting to set up your smart home, getting a lamp or a few light bulbs that work with Assistant is a smart and affordable move. You’ll be able to turn the lights on/off with voice commands, even when you’re on the road. This allows you to make it look like someone is at home while the house is empty, just to scare off the bad guys. It’s a great trick, although getting a large and scary dog is a better option.

Headphones: There are a number of headphones available that work with Assistant, including the latest Google Pixel Buds and Sony’s popular WH-1000XM4. You can summon Assistant with a tap/press of a button and tell it to skip a song, turn up the volume, and more. You can check out the best Google Assistant headphones available on our sister-site SoundGuys.

Smartwatches: Smartwatches running Google’s WearOS work with Google Assistant. It comes in handy for checking the weather, tracking a run, or setting a reminder, among many other things. Smartwatches aren’t as popular as some expected them to become, but they still have a loyal following — check out the best models here.

These are just some of the more popular devices that have Assistant built-in or work with it. There are many others including smart plugs, thermostats, and garage door openers, just to name a few.

Also: The best Google Assistant devices for your home

The best commands by category

Now that you have your devices set up, it’s time to issue some useful voice commands. Most commands apply regardless of the hardware you’re talking to, but there are some exceptions, such as attempting to watch a Netflix video on a speaker!

You can find a full breakdown of the ever-growing list of commands over at Google’s official directory, but we’ve covered some of the most useful ones below.

General queriesMusicPictures and video tips, tricks & fun

We’ll let you discover the rest on your own:

Also: Here’s a guide on all Google Home and Assistant commands

Google Assistant actions

Google Assistant is powered by actions, which are the little conversations you have with Assistant in order to get anything done. While Google provides a lot of actions out of the box, additional commands for interacting with third-party hardware and software can be added to Assistant via Assistant apps.

Users can discover third-party apps for the Assistant via the Actions app directory on the web and mobile devices. The directory is designed to allow users to find new apps for and customize their assistant ecosystem and includes products ranging from trivia applications to fitness and TV tools designed to work with external hardware.

Let me give you an example of how third-party actions work. Let’s say you use the popular Todoist app for managing your to-do list. Out of the box, you can’t use the Assistant to create new tasks or check out what you have to do today. You’ll need to enable an action first, which you can do via this link.

Once the action is enabled, you can create new tasks, ask Todoist what your next task on the list is, and more.

Here are a few examples of third-party actions for Google Assistant:

There’s a budding ecosystem of third-party tools and applications, with over one million actions now available. Developers can build their Assistant Apps and actions using either Dialogflow or the Actions SDK. Dialogflow is a “conversational platform” that offers an easy-to-use IDE, machine learning, and other tools while wrapping the functionality of the Actions SDK.

Google Assistant routines

Google Assistant routines allow you to trigger multiple actions with a single phrase. For example, you can get the weather report, turn on Bluetooth, and launch the Netflix app just by saying, “Let’s go” to Google Assistant.

In addition to making your own, there are six ready-made routines available, all of which you can customize to your liking. One of them is called a good morning routine. When you say, “Good morning,” or “Tell me about my day,” Assistant can:

We have a dedicated post on this topic, so we won’t get into the other five routines or how you can set your own.

Here: Learn everything there is to know about Google Assistant routines

Smart home tips

One of Google Assistant‘s most powerful features is its ability to act as the hub for your connected smart home. Assistant can be used to control a wide range of devices, starting with your Chromecast or TV through to something as seemingly humdrum as a light bulb. All of these devices can be configured and controlled through the Google Home app.

Google Assistant is compatible with over 10,000 smart home products from over 1,000 brands. A directory listing all supported devices is available here. Product categories include:

To start with, you’ll want to connect your devices. Each device will guide you through the necessary setup, which usually requires little more than standing near the device with your Wi-Fi and location on, hitting a button, and naming the device. To add new devices to your smart home, simply head into the Google Home app, tap the plus icon in the top left corner followed by “Set up device.” Then simply follow the setup instructions.

Next: What is a smart home and why you should want one

If you didn’t do so during setup, you’ll gain greater flexibility over your smart home by making use of Google Assistant’s Nickname and Room assignments. This will allow you to refer to specific devices or rooms when issuing voice commands in order to better direct your requests. To add, edit, and delete names and rooms, head into the Settings menu and click Home control of the Google Home app.

For example, assigning your lights to somewhere called the bedroom means that you can say “Hey Google, turn off the bedroom lights.” Similarly, you can set your home up so that “OK Google, play music on my living room speaker” works, even if you’re talking to a different smart speaker or your phone in the kitchen.

If you plan on setting up a smart home, getting a smart speaker or a display is a must. The reason why is that controlling smart products via your phone is not that great. You often have to unlock your phone before the Assistant will perform an action you requested, which kills the entire smart home charm. There’s no limitation like this with a smart speaker or display.

The smart speaker will act as the hub that allows you to control every single smart device in your home, including light bulbs, blinds, and others. You can check out a few of the most popular Google Assistant smart home commands below so you’ll get an idea of how useful they may be to you.

Google Assistant vs Alexa

Google’s closest competitor in the assistant and smart home ecosystem is Amazon’s Alexa and the company’s Echo speakers.

At a glance, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are very similar. Both allow users to interact with simple voice commands, and there’s plenty of crossover between the types of typical actions — or skills as Amazon calls them — that can be issued, ranging from weather forecasts to streaming music.

In terms of design, the latest generation speakers are starting to look more different. Amazon has chosen a spherical design for its newer Echo and Echo Dot devices. Meanwhile, Google’s new Nest Audio is taller and narrower. 

Just like Google, Amazon is also positioning Alexa as an option for third-party speakers and smart display manufacturers. Alexa already has a large ecosystem of hardware that encompasses speakers, TVs, vehicle infotainment systems, and even smart mirrors and bathtubs. It’s Google that’s actually playing catch up in terms of product portfolio size and partner support, but the company is closing the gap.

More: Everything you need to know about Amazon Alexa

However, there are some major differences between how the two ecosystems operate and the type of functionality that they’re trying to offer. Most notably is that Google can operate on smartphones and in the home, while Alexa is mostly tied to smart home products. Assistant is primarily designed to be used on a handset, keeping track of your calendar, a route to work, and other little bits of information. You can download Alexa on your phone from the Play Store, but the experience isn’t all that great. 

Perhaps the best way to think about the differences between the two is that Alexa is prominently a smart home hub and a way to interact with other services, such as ordering a pizza. Google Assistant, on the other hand, is much closer to a PA, keeping track of the little details you might need throughout your day. Although the lines do blur once you start using Assistant in smart home products, and there are still more similarities than differences between what the two can do.

Credit: Lily Katz / Android Authority

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Credit: Adam Molina / Android Authority

Credit: Adam Molina / Android Authority

Credit: Adam Molina / Android Authority

Launch the Google app.

Tap the More option in the bottom-right corner.

Head to Settings > Google Assistant.

Move to the Assistant tab.

Tap the Phone option at the bottom.

Enable the Google Assistant option.

Enable the Hey Google option.

“Good morning” — This command is a catch-all for your morning routine. Assistant can give you a weather report, details on your route to work, and recite the latest news bulletins.

“Wake me up at …” — Assistant can fill in as your personal alarm clock.

“Open …” — Open up any app on your phone just by saying its name.

“Set a reminder for …” — Add reminders to your calendar, complete with time and place, so you’ll never miss a date again.

“Set a timer for …” — Slow cooking a chicken or baking some muffins? Assistant’s timer setting is incredibly useful for nailing those recipe timings.

“Turn on Bluetooth” — Toggle Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, your phone’s flashlight, and pretty much every other hardware option without reaching for a settings menu.

“Add … to my shopping list” — Google can store online shopping lists for you and when paired up with Assistant you can quickly add and remove items via voice.

“Play classical music” — Instead of playing music by song, artist, or album, picking a genre can be a great way to discover new music.

“Play … radio” — You don’t have to stream from a service like Spotify. Assistant can also play online radio stations.

“Skip song” — As well as play, pause, and stop, you can skip along.

“What’s playing?” — Assistant can give you artist and song info for anything currently streaming.

“Turn it up” — Volume can be adjusted up and down at 10% increments, or set to a specific level.

“Show my pictures of … “ — If you use Google Photos, Assistant can pick out pictures of people, places, and dates on request.

“Play … on TV” — Link up your streaming accounts to your smart TV or Chromecast and Assistant can play shows directly onto your TV.

“Stream … from Youtube” — Catch up with your favorite YouTube shows.

“Turn on subtitles” — Quickly toggle subtitles on or off and even pick your desired language without reaching for the remote. The same works for dubbing too.

“Find my phone” — We’ve all misplaced our phone, but if you’ve connected your smart speaker to your Google account simply ask it to find your phone, and, providing your handset has a data connection, it will ring.

Check movie times — The assistant is quite good at finding localized results, so asking “what time is [movie] showing” will display local cinema results. In fact, you can check the open times and details for many local businesses listed with Google.

Asking further questions — This is a little more hit and miss, but the Assistant can often understand follow up questions. Sticking with the previous example, you might ask “what’s playing at [cinema]” followed by “what time are they showing [movie]”, and the Assistant will remember that you’re talking about the same cinema.

“Beatbox!”  — Does what it says. Enjoy.

Tune an instrument — Ask for a specific note and the Assistant can provide. Handy for tuning guitars and other instruments.

“Tell me a joke” — A library of groaners that are sure to lighten anyone’s mood.

“Recite a poem” — Assistant has a selection of classic poems ready to help you unwind.

“Do you like Star Trek or Star Wars?” – Be prepared for a range of confusing crossover answers sure to delight and infuriate fans in equal measure.

“Do a barrel roll”.

“What’s the loneliest number?”.

“Make me a sandwich”.

“When am I?”.

“Beam me up, Scotty”.

“How can entropy be reversed?”.

“Tell me a joke”.

“Up up down down left right left right B A start”.

“Who’s on first?”.

“I am your father”.

“Set phasers to kill”.

“Did you fart?”.

“It’s my birthday”.

“It’s not my birthday”.

“Who let the dogs out?”.

“Do you want to build a snowman?”.

“How many roads must a man walk down?”.

“Who is the real Slim Shady?”.

“Who ya gonna call?”.

“Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?”.

“Where’s Waldo?”.

“Party on, Wayne”.

“Ask CNN for the latest news” — CNN

“Ask Train Track if the L train is delayed” — Train Track

“Send a WhatsApp message” — WhatsApp

“Show me easy recipes” — Recipes by Course

“Play Panda Show Radio” — TuneIn

Turn off silent mode.

Adjust lights, plugs, the thermostat, and other smart devices (if you have any).

Tell you about the weather.

Tell you about your commute.

Tell you about your today’s calendar events.

Tell you today’s reminders.

Adjust media volume.

Play music, news, radio, a podcast, or an audiobook.

Lighting, plugs, outlets, and other electrical gear.

Washers, dryers, refrigerators, vacuums, air conditioners, and other home appliances.

Cameras, locks, and security systems.

Speakers, internet radios, and other audio equipment.

“Turn on [light name]” or “Turn off [light name]” — Turn a light on or off.

“Dim the [light name]” or “Brighten the [light name]” — Dim or brighten a light.

“Set [light name] to 50%” — Set a light brightness to a certain percentage.

“Dim/brighten [light name] by 50%” — Dim or brighten lights by a certain percentage.

“Turn [light name] green]” — Change the color of light.

“Turn on lights in [room name]” or “Turn off lights in [room name]” — Turn on or off all lights in a room.

“Turn on all of the lights” or “Turn off all of the lights” — Turn on or off all lights.

“Make it warmer/cooler”, “Raise/lower the temperature”, “Raise/lower the temperature two degrees”, or “Set the temperature to 72 degrees” — Adjust the temperature.

“Turn on heat/cooling”, “Set the thermostat to cooling/heating”, or “Turn the thermostat to heat-cool mode” — Switch to heating or cooling modes.

“Set the heat to 68”, “Set the air conditioning to 70”, or “Set [room name] thermostat to 72” — Set the mode and temperature.

“Turn off thermostat” — Turn the thermostat off.“Turn on cooling/heating”, “Turn on heat/cool”, “Set the heat to 68”, “Set the air conditioning to 70”, etc. — Turn the thermostat back on.

“What’s the temperature inside?” — Check the ambient temperature on the thermostat.

“Hey Google, what’s the thermostat set to?” — Check what the thermostat is set to.