Fancy new functions are fan-frickin’-tastic. But let’s encounter it: We aren’t all carrying Google’s shiny brand new Pixel phones. And we don’t all possess Android 12 before our shiny faces at this time.

With all that at heart, I thought now will be a fine time and energy to turn our focus on some of Android’s several buried treasures – phenomenal time-saving and productivity-improving possibilities built directly into the program on our existing phones, regardless of who produced ’em or how old they might be (within the realm of reason, anyway; if you are nevertheless totin’ around a cell phone with Froyo, sorry pal, but you’re by yourself).

Specifically, I would like to think our method through some extremely useful advanced features linked to Google Assistant – the friendly if sometimes somewhat sassy virtual companion that’s always standing simply by and prepared to lend a helping hand (and/or voice).

The very best part about these Assistant-associated gems is that they are just as beneficial with a three-year-old LG jalopy because they are with a high-end 2021 flagship. But since Assistant commands are usually invisible inherently, they’re all too an easy task to overlook or forget.

So without more ado, I offer you 11 advanced Google Assistant commands you need to really be sure you use on Android – regardless of what Android telephone you’re carrying or even which Android edition it’s running.

Google Assistant Android technique No. 1: The voice in your mind

This first Google Assistant trick for Android is among my all-time favorites. It’s among Assistant’s most useful and impressive powers – yet, hardly anyone appears to realize it’s available.

Knowing it’s there, though, great golly, are you considering giddy. So right here it really is: Anytime you’re looking at articles within Chrome , the Google app , or the Google News app on your own Android phone, it is possible to summon Assistant – by stating “Hey Google” or making use of whatever technique you prefer – and say among the following commands:

• • Read this site

• • Examine it

• • Read through this

• • Read out loud

• • Or Study this make sure you (in order to be extra-polite)

You phrase it however, Assistant shall merrily oblige and begin reading the article upon the screen aloud to you. It’s an awesome solution to catch through to Very Interesting Articles™ whilst driving, strolling, horsey chasing, or whatever it really is you can up.

And the encounter is in fact quite lovely: Exactly like if you were hearing a traditional podcast, it is possible to skip around in the audio and adjust the playback rate via a bar in the bottom of your screen. You can also manage the playback with a panel that’ll pop-up in your notification panel anytime the audio will be playing.

JR

The only real requirements are you are running 2014 Android 5.0 discharge or more (and if you are not, we have bigger fish to fry ) and that you have Assistant’s language established to English.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 2: Power position

Wondering just how your phone’s battery does toward the finish of an extended day? One filled up with a lot horsey chasing maybe? No problem: Simply ask your Android-dwelling Assistant What’s my battery degree , and you will have the solution in two a hoofbeat.

Why is this command specifically useful is the proven fact that it’ll also function from an Assistant-connected speaker or even Smart Display, therefore even though your phone isn’t there with you, it is possible to ask Google just how much power it offers left still.

In that instance, be sure that you add an extra little bit of specificity into your command, with What’s my phone’s battery degree as your spoken request. Assistant will rattle the precise remaining percentage back, irrespective of where your phone could be physically.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 3: The moment phone finder

Next, let’s step back again a little from there and move on to a far more basic but nonetheless oft-relevant request: Once you can’t find your phone at just about all, remember the Google Assistant command Where is my phone since your one-cease phone-finding solution.

That one works on a couple of different levels:

• • For those who have several Android devices linked to the same Google accounts – say, a work mobile phone and an individual phone – it is possible to give this control to any among those gizmos and also have it return outcomes for others.

• • No matter just how many Android gadgets you have on your account, you can supply the order to an Assistant-connected Wise or speaker Display or perhaps a current Chromebook, as long as you’re signed in to the same Google accounts on that gadget.

Whichever way you move, Assistant will offer you up the missing phone’s final known location and in addition offer to band it for you.

JR

Google Assistant Android trick No. 4: The swift shusher

Another useful choice from the telephone control document is Assistant’s capability to silence your gadget on requirement whenever the necessity arises.

It might seem obvious, but you can forget: An instant uttering of Silence my cell phone may cause Assistant to show your device’s garsh-dang quantity all the way right down to avoid any interruptions.

And like our final two commands just, this one will continue to work on your own actual Android gadget or on any Assistant-connected speaker, Smart Display, or Chromebook where you’re signed in to the same account.

Just remember to state thanks if you are done.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 5: Place dictation

Fine – we’ve covered how to proceed if you cannot find your telephone. But imagine if you possess your phone yet nevertheless have no idea where you are?

First things first, try cutting upon the peyote back, pal. And if it doesn’t function, state Where am I to your friendly neighborhood Assistant. That’ll lead it to pop-up a map displaying you your personal current place at that very second.

On a related note, it is possible to ask Assistant to Share my location to pull up a straightforward interface for delivering your present whereabouts to anyone you will need – a co-worker who’s likely to satisfy you at a client’s office, an jolly ol’ chap who can’t remember the eating place you arranged for lunch, or perhaps a horsey you’re chasing who got aside and really wants to re-engage you in the timeless art of recreational gallop.

JR

Google Assistant Android trick No. 6: Your screenshot genie

Android enables you to snag screenshots with a number of mechanisms, both physical-button-based and on-screen, but those commands aren’t always convenient. Occasionally, you will need a screenshot preserved once you don’t possess a hands and/or hoof free for just one reason or another.

In those brief moments, simply raise your voice to your Android Assistant and say these miracle words: Consider screenshot . And that is it: Assistant helps you to save a graphic of whatever’s on your own screen at that time – no tapping, button-pushing, or frustrated fussing necessary.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 7: Snappy photo snapping

Taking a picture takes both patience and fingers – at least typically, in the conventional means of handling that job. If you want to snap an image on your own phone without all of the usual specifications, keep a few of these Assistant possibilities at the front end of one’s bustling brain:

• • Have a picture

• • Have a selfie

• • Have a video

And for the true Assistant-flexing power, include in 10 seconds (or whatever period of time you will need) to the finish of some of those commands. That’ll result in Assistant to start out a countdown timer therefore you’ll have time and energy to pose your squared-designed head just right and begin smiling all purty.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 8: The sanity-conserving noise-maker

Whether you’re back the office and attempting to adjust to all of the place of work racket or working at home and attempting to tune out most of that racket, Assistant comes with an excellent choice to assist you to focus.

Let’s all state it collectively now: Play whitened noise .

JR

And when that ever isn’t slicing it for you personally, you’ve got a couple of other variations just waiting around to be embraced:

• • Play comforting sounds

• • Enjoy nature sounds

• • Perform water sounds

• • Play working water sounds

• • Enjoy babbling brook sounds

• • Perform oscillating fan sounds

• • Enjoy fireplace sounds

• • Perform forest sounds

• • Play country evening sounds

• • Enjoy ocean sounds

• • Perform rain sounds

• • Enjoy river sounds

• • Perform thunderstorm sounds

• • Enjoy thrashing death metal sounds*

actually on Assistant however *Not, but maybe it must be

Google Assistant Android trick No. 9: The configurations shortcut

Assistant’s got plenty of options, on your phone especially. But, rather ironically, addressing the Assistant configurations on Android isn’t specifically intuitive. You’ve generally gotta proceed through either the Google app or the Google House app and wade the right path through several murky menus to get what you want.

Well, here’s the higher way: Holler from Assistant and state Assistant configurations . Bam. Issue solved, seconds saved.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 10: Auto-repeat

If Assistant ever says something you didn’t very catch, get one of these variation of one of the little-known commands:

• • Is it possible to slowly repeat that a lot more?

• • Is it possible to loudly repeat that a lot more?

• • I didn’t hear you

You might always just squawk away a loud “HUH?!” in your very best old-fella-asking-you-to-speak-up impact – but it’s likely that, Assistant won’t acknowledge it.

Google Assistant Android trick No. 11: Probably the most useful command of most

Properly, my dear, there’s poor news: We’ve almost reached the end of the Assistant Android collection.

But wait! There’s very good news, as well: We’ve saved the very best for last.

Assistant, y’see, is really a wonderful virtual creature. It could be quite helpful and also pleasant often. But it also includes a habit of occasionally butting in and giving an answer to something once you didn’t in fact want its involvement.

Next time Assistant starts flappin’ its digital yap out of line, remember these four magical words:

      That wasn't for you personally          .

Easy, right? Now only if we could discover a way for that to focus on humans, too.

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