Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri

With a wide and varied range of smart speakers, the key question is why do you bet? Siri, in its version for HomePod, should improve much more and it is only for those who really have Apple devices. So it is practically discarded.

Then there is 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 the Google proposal becomes very attractive.

Therefore, after telling you how to take advantage of Alexa , we will see how to squeeze Google Assistant . So that it is not a simple “Ok Google, turn on the lights”, “Ok Google, turn off the lights”.

What can I do with a smart speaker

The basis to take advantage of any smart speaker is to know what can be done with it. There are actions that most people already know, but others go unnoticed and could give a lot of play on a daily basis.

The first of these strangers are the “routines” , a set of orders that execute one action or command after another. For example, with a simple “Ok Google, good morning” you could launch one where the lights went on, inform you of the weather and then start playing your favorite music. This in basic plan, you could add actions as you expand your connected device ecosystems.

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 tricks and tips.

Make Google recognize other people’s voice

When you set up the speaker you do it so that it only recognizes your voice. If you want another person at home to give you orders you should go to 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 want me to call you differently from your Google profile name, for example, “the king of the house”, you just have to say “Ok Google, call me …”. Then confirm and go.

Listen to music

Within Settings> Music you can synchronize and decide to use different services such as YouTube Music, Google Play Music, Spotify or Deezer. When you do, you can say “Ok Google, play a XXX song” or “Ok Google, play xxx music” and that default service will be activated.

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, put the last chapter of The Witcher” and start playing for example on a TV with Chromecast or with the integrated assistant itself. Although the issue of television control will be discussed in detail later.

Filter settings for children

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 content not appropriate for them. Go to Settings> Digital wellness and set the filters for 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. So, with a simple “Ok Google, add tomatoes to the shopping list” you will have it. And if you want to have several lists, you just have to invoke them by saying their exact name. For example, Juan’s party, weekly shopping, gifts, etc.

Music to create environments

This option is not as well known, but beyond specific songs, Google Assistant can also say “Ok Google, put the sound of the rain” and sounds will begin to play while it rains. Same with other types like storms, natural or white noise. Experience that it sure surprises you.

Create events in Google Calendar

Since we are talking about an assistant, what is the task of an assistant? Exactly, help with the agenda. The Google is not only able to read the events and appointments that you have scheduled, you can also create them by simply asking.

Throw a “coin” and decide luck

One of the fun features of Google Assistant is its ability to throw a coin in the air and let luck choose. Well, you don’t throw it physically, but you do hear the sound of a coin falling to the ground.

But the important thing, as you leave face or cross you will do one thing or another and will have let chance choose for you. “Ok Google, throw a coin.”

Generate a random number between …

Similar to the previous one, Assistant is also able to generate a random number . You can give it a rank and it will give it to you. For example, “Ok 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 fire or by heating in the oven. But it is also practical to apply the pomodoro technique. Surely you find many ways to use it.

To use it as a timer or alarm, say something like “Ok Google, set the alarm at 17:00” or “Ok Google, 10 minute timer.”

 Dictionary and calculator

If when you need to know something you turn to Google, how are you not going to turn to Assistant for the same. Say “Ok 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 use it to make accounts. “Ok Google, how much 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 your room playing and you in the kitchen just setting the table: “Ok Google, announce that it is time to eat.”

These messages support a series of customizations and options that you can consult in this link.

The potential of smart speakers and their great challenge

Although smart speakers have been with us for a while, not everyone has yet discovered the true potential. 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 begin to do so. And if you had doubts between buying or not, the same. Meanwhile, we will continue to prepare more related content so you can see everything you can do with them at home, the office or where you decide to use it. And remember, all these things are also applicable to what you could do with Assistant on your Android smartphone.