Ask Google assistant to spell someone's last name. You would expect Google to spell it for you, correct? Well, looks like there is something tricky happening here. I tried asking Google to spell Harry Potter's last name. Here is what I got: "Harry Potter's last name is spelled harry potter's last name." Yes, Google Assistant [...]
[Ask The Assistant] Increase Brightness to 100%
You can use Google Assistant to control screen brightness of your phone or your Chromebook (Pixelbook only for now). It is a simple voice command; as easy as saying "Hey Google, increase my screen brightness to 90%" Increase My Screen Brightness As always, start with the magic word, Hey Google, and say one of these [...]
Make Google Home Play White Noise and Other Ambient Sounds
Google Home can be a good source of ambient sounds for your home. You can initiate this with simple voice commands and Google Home will play the sounds for an hour. If you are using white noise to fall asleep, this is perfect. If you are using it as a background while you work or [...]
How to Manage Purchases Using Google Home
Google recently added the ability to make purchases using the Assistant. This page is your guide to managing purchases via Google Home. Let's dive in. Setting Up Payment and Delivery Address Before you can make a purchase using Google Home, you need to set up your payment method and delivery address. Here is how to [...]
Google Home Can Wake You Up to Your Favorite Music
Google Home can be your alarm clock. A smart alarm clock that will wake you up to your favorite music. This article explains how to set this up and customize it. "Hey Google, Wake Me Up At 6 Am" Google Home has an official app from Google called simply "Clock". The alarm is one of [...]
How to Listen to Audiobooks Using Google Home
Google has added audiobooks to Google Play Store. Unsurprisingly, Google's audiobooks come with Google Assistant support. This means you can ask your Google Assistant to read audiobooks to you. This post explains how to do this and also explains all the additional voice commands that you can use to control audiobook playback. Audiobooks Commands for [...]
How to Use Multiple Netflix Profiles with Google Home
Google Assistant now supports Netflix profiles. This means you can easily link your Netflix profile to your account and ensure that Home does not get confused between your content and your partner's content. Requires Voice Match The multiple profile feature works only when you have Voice Match set up on your account. Voice Match is [...]
Can I Change Google Assistant Name?
You cannot do this yet. Amazon calls its smart assistant "Alexa". Microsoft calls theirs "Cortana". Google, however, decided not to name the Assistant. You cannot call the Assistant anything other than Google. You launch the Assistant by calling it Google. Okay Google, Hey Google, or sometimes even Okay Boo Boo. Hey Google what is your [...]
Official Wall Mount for Google Home Mini
Google Home mini has a nice design that blends into any part of your home. I have had it on my bedside table, and next to my TV. It looked esthetically pleasing in both these locations. I, however, have considered a wall mounted Google Home Mini more than one occasion. When the new Lenovo made [...]
Teach Google Assistant Your Preferred Commute Mode (Drive / Bike / Public Transport)
How do you get around usually? Do you drive, bike or take public transport? Remember picking this each time you use Google Maps navigation? With Google Assistant, you might have just asked something like "navigate to KFC". Assistant should ideally know your preferred commute mode and give you directions based on that. Google is preparing [...]