Google Assistant - everything you need to know about it

With overwhelming technical features on your phone to help you make reservations, manage trips, cluster and organize photographs, and so on, sometimes you need a little help in your own world. This is where the Google Assistant promises you to take the burden off your shoulders- so that you have more personal time. If you're bored, it will even entertain you.

There's a lot more the Google Assitant can do. With the latest Google Duplex updates, we're expecting even more advancements into redefining the smartphone experience! (Read about it here: Google Duplex and Android P will make your smartphone smarter and personal.

Ask google about daily commutes, weather details or tell it to make a shopping list for you. Google is fast pacing towards automating everything where only you are in-charge.

STEPS TO TURN ON GOOGLE ASSISTANT

This virtual assistant is available for every Android device. Here's how to set it up:

1. Ensure that you have an updated Google app installed on your phone. Update the Google application on your device if you haven't already.

2. Now open the Google application on your Android device. Click on Continue whenever prompted.




3. Go to the bottom right corner, to open settings>search language>*your desired language*. This will prepare Google Assistant to work with commands you give in your language.




4. Again from Settings> Voice> OK Google detection turn on the tab for From the Google app if you want your voice commands to be recognized only from within this application, else From any screen if you would like to enjoy the features from any screen of your Android device (even from the home screen).

And viola! Google Assistant is now ready to be used by you.

GETTING STARTED

Now on to the interesting part where the magic happens.

All you need to do is, say OK Google to activate the Google Assistant from any screen. We have listed a few voice commands for you to enter the world of using the technology of Google Assistant.

Every time that you would say OK Google, the Google assistant will start listening to you. Simple, right?

1. View list of all voice commands

   You as a beginner can view the list of commands with which you can get a headstart on Google Assistant.

   The results will be displayed accordingly.

   But, continue reading this article for many more voice commands and tricks.




2. Weather updates

   Ask google about anything. Ask it about the weather, and it won't disappoint you.




3. Tell Google to remind you about things.

   If you forget where your car keys are, or if you forget about important client meetings, Google will help you save the day. Simply tell Google to remember what you tell it. It will help you set up a reminder. Later you can ask Google, "Do you remember where my keys are?" and Google will tell you. If you want to dismiss this reminder, simply say "Forget that I asked about my car keys."




4. Make Google read out things to you.

   Just like bedtime stories, Google is capable to (literally) read out things for you. One instance of it is that it can read aloud your regular text messages. Try saying "OK Google, read my unread messages" and the rest will be done by Google Assistant. You can also ask it to reply to the messages and by speaking the body of text as you normally would. Just say "Reply".




5. Click Selfies without hassles

   Now, this feature is definitely a life-saver for all selfie-lovers. The traditional method requires that you open the camera, and press the volume buttons or the shutter button in order to take a Selfie. Now you need not do even that! Simply say "Ok Google take a Selfie". The assistant will open the selfie application and make a short countdown, and click a selfie, hands-free!

   (psst, the only downside to it- is that if you use more than one camera apps on your phone, then you would have to select the desired application. So not that handsfree after all. But we're waiting on Google to bring a solution to this one day too!)