Google Assistant or Alexa, both assistants have become very popular among users. But since you have to choose, if you have opted for the Google option, here we are going to tell you how to take advantage of it. So you can use it for something other than knowing the time or turning on the lights at home.
Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri
With a wide and varied offer in smart speakers, the key question is why betting assistant. Siri, in its version for HomePod, must improve much more and it is only for those who really have Apple devices. So it's pretty much ruled out.
Then there's Alexa and Google Assistant. The first is the "wildcard assistant", the one that best suits those users who live with different operating systems. But if you use Android, the integration and potential of Google's proposal becomes very attractive.
Therefore, after telling you how to take advantage of alexa, we'll see how to squeeze google assistant. So that it's not a simple “Hey Google, turn on the lights”, “Hey Google, turn off the lights”.
What can I do with a smart speaker
The basis for taking advantage of any smart speaker is knowing what you can do with it. There are actions that most already know, but others go unnoticed and could give a lot of play on a day-to-day basis.
The first of these unknowns are the "routines", a set of commands that execute one action or command after another. For example, with a simple "Ok Google, good morning" you could launch one where the lights turn on, inform you of the weather forecast and then start playing your favorite music. This in a basic plan, you could add actions as you expand your ecosystems of connected devices.
To create these "routines" in Google Assistant, you just have to go to the main screen of the Google Home app and you will see the option to start creating them. Of course there is much more, so here are a few tips and tricks.
Make Google recognize other people's voices
When you configure the speaker you do it so that it only recognizes your voice. If you want someone else at home to give you orders, you must go to the Settings and then to Voice Match > Invite other users to use your devices. It's just a matter of following the steps and that's it.
Tell Google Assistant to call you by another name
If you would like to to call you in another way different from your Google profile name, for example, “the king of the house”, you will only have to say “Ok Google, call me…”. Then you confirm and that's it.
Listen to music
Within Settings > Music you can sync and decide to use different services like Youtube Music, Google Play Music, Spotify or Deezer. When you do, you can say “Ok Google, play a song from XXX” or “Ok Google, play music from xxx” and that service will be activated by default.
Play videos
Within Settings> Videos and Photos you have the option to synchronize with Netflix or Youtube and Youtube Kids, also with Google Photos. Once done, again with a command like "Ok Google, play the latest chapter of The Witcher" and it will start playing, for example, on a TV with Chromecast or with the integrated assistant itself. Although the theme TV control We will discuss it later in detail.
Child filter settings
If the speaker is also used by the little ones in the house, you are interested in knowing that you can configure filters to avoid videos or music with inappropriate content for them. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and set the filters to non-explicit content.
Create shopping lists
In Settings> Shopping lists you can create lists quickly and write down what you want or need to buy the next time you go to the market, etc. Thus, with a simple "Ok Google, add tomatoes to the shopping list" you will have it. And if you want to have several lists, you only have to invoke them saying their exact name. For example, Juan's party, weekly shopping, gifts, etc.
Music to create atmospheres
This option is not so well known, but beyond specific songs, you can also say to Google Assistant "Ok Google, put on the sound of the rain" and it will start playing sounds while it rains. The same with other types such as storms, natural or white noise. Experience that surely surprises you.
Create events in Google Calendar
Since we are talking about an assistant, what task is proper to an assistant? Exactly, help with the agenda. Google's is not only capable of reading the events and appointments that you have scheduled, you can also create them simply by asking.
Throw a “coin” and let luck decide
One of the fun features of the Google Assistant is its ability to flip a coin and let luck choose. Well, you don't physically throw it, but you do hear the sound of a coin falling to the ground.
But the important thing, depending on whether it comes up heads or tails, you will do one thing or another and you will have let chance choose for you. "Hey Google, flip a coin."
Generate a random number between…
Similarly to the previous one, Assistant is also capable of generate a random number. You can give it a range and it will give it to you. For example, "Hey Google, tell me a random number between 1 and 10."
Set a timer or alarm
Being able to set an alarm at a certain time or a timer of 5, 10 or the minutes you need is also very useful. Here the ideal situation to use it is in the kitchen, to control the time that a dish is on the fire or heating up in the oven. But it is also practical to apply the pomodoro technique. I'm sure you'll find many ways to use it.
To use it as a timer or alarm clock say something like “Hey Google, set the alarm for 17pm” or “Hey Google, 00 minute timer”.
dictionary and calculator
If when you need to know something you turn to Google, how can you not turn to Assistant for the same. Say “Hey Google, what does it mean…” and the word you want to know. In a matter of seconds it will give you the answer.
You can also take advantage of it to make accounts. “Ok Google, what is the square root of 37”.
messages between speakers
If you have several smart speakers around the house, you can take advantage of them to announce a message through them. Imagine, the children in their room playing and you in the kitchen finishing setting the table: “Ok Google, announce that it is time to eat”.
These messages support a number of customizations and options that you can consult this link.
The potential of smart speakers and their great challenge
Although smart speakers have been around for a while, not everyone has discovered their true potential yet. It is true that they have several challenges ahead, such as improving response times and expanding integration with more connected devices. Although the biggest challenge is to make the user trust them.
Even so, if you already had one and did not know how to take advantage of it, we hope that with these ideas you will start to do so. And if you had doubts between buying or not, the same. Meanwhile, we will continue preparing more related content so you can see everything you can do with them at home, the office or wherever you decide to use them. And remember, all of these things also apply to what you might do with Assistant on your Android smartphone.