We’ve been waiting for the day when we could only speak to a machine in natural language and make it do our bidding since the days of “Star Trek” and from the days when “Jetsons” aired.” the widespread availability of smart speakers has begun to make our lives a little more space-age and convenient.
Digital assistants, such as Google Home, can perform a wide range of tasks and can be incorporated with a wide range of applications. In reality, you can already perform over a million tasks with a Home computer and a variety of commands. But, do you want to know that for making your living easy what Google Home hacks and tasks your assistant can perform on a daily basis?
These tips, tricks, and questions are primarily for Google’s most famous smart speakers and Google Home, Google Home Max, and Google Nest. There’s a lot more you can do with Google’s screened devices, such as the Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max, that deserves its own post.
So, without further ado, here are 23 Google Home hacks to make your life a little bit simpler.
1. Watch movies and television shows
You can ask your Google Home to play whatever you want to watch if you have a Google Home and a Google Chromecast connected to your TV through the same network.
Google Home comes with a range of streaming services that fit with your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and other subscriptions.
Simply type in “Hey Google, watch the second scene of episode four of “The Flight Attendant” on HBOMax in my living room,” and Kaley Cuoco will appear on your television.
This Google Home trick also works for YouTube. Do you want to watch more cat videos? Ask Google to play some music, and you’ve got yourself a Sunday afternoon.
2. Make use of your smart devices
You can use Google Home to control hundreds of other smart devices that attach to your network, including lamps, locks, slow cookers, coffee makers, sprinklers, garage door openers, smoke detectors, security systems, Nest thermostats, and Ring doorbells, in addition to your TV sets. Without even getting out of bed, yell, “Hey Google, tell Roomba to vacuum the kitchen,” and sweep.
Certain car manufacturers have built-in technology that allows you to link your car to your network directly. All you have to do when you wake up on a chilly morning is say, “Hey Google, start my car!” says the driver “to warm up and prepare your vehicle for you This can also be added as an aftermarket option.
3. Set a timer
There’s no need to fiddle with your phone’s clock app to wake up in the morning. Simply say to Google, “Hey Google, set an alarm for 7 a.m.” “A gentle tone will gently wake you up for the day.
This Google Home hack can also be used as a reminder or when cooking. Ask Google to set a 20-minute alarm for you, and you’ll be reminded when your soufflé is ready or the hockey game is about to begin.
4. Get the latest news, weather, and traffic updates.
Google Home will get you ready for the day by reading you the news while you’re making coffee or brushing your teeth in the morning. You can pick your news outlets from CNN to the BBC, as well as categories like Business, Technology, and Science, on the Google Home app, and then simply say “Hey Google, what’s the news?” “and you’ll get the top stories in the form of a podcast.
Before leaving the house, you can ask Google Home about the weather with simple questions like “How’s the weather today?”, “will it rain in the city?”
Do you want to see what your commute would be like on your way to work or the airport? Ask Home how long it will take you to get to your destination in real-time, and it will give you directions to your cell-phone.
5. Listen to music and listen to audio
Your Google Home will play almost any music you like thanks to built-in apps. Your gadget will play a Spotify mix based on your request if you ask it to play some folk-rock.
Do you want to hear music inspired by a favourite artist? Simply say, “Hey Google, play Grouplove on Pandora,” and you’ll be guided to a Pandora station featuring artists that sound close to your selection.
If you have a favourite radio station, Home can play it through its TuneIn Radio app. “Hey Google, play WXPN” or “Hey Google, play Dublab” are examples of requests for the station or stream’s name. Do you like listening to podcasts? Request that Google play the most recent episode of “Song Exploder” or “Add ‘Mike on Much’ to my favourite podcasts” for them.
Simply tell Google to play the music through your HDT V or connected smart speakers if you want a louder volume.
6. Contact people by phone
Even the most ardent Google Home users are unaware that you can make phone calls directly from your speaker. Ask Home to call a particular person or number, and you’ll be dialling their number.
Just keep in mind that because you’re making a VoIP call over the internet, the person on the other end won’t see your cell phone number unless they’ve added your Google IP number to their contacts or you’ve configured your Home’s Caller IDs.
7. Make a grocery list
If you run out of something while cooking dinner or preparing your lunch, simply ask your Home to add it to your Google Shopping list. Simply say to Google, “Hey Google, add string cheese to my shopping list,” as you finish the last stick of string cheese. Then, the next time you’re at the store, open your Google app’s shopping list and you’ll know exactly what to buy.
If you already have an account and payment method with stores like Target, PetSmart, Walgreens, or Whole Foods, your Home can also place orders and arrange deliveries for you.
You can also say, “Hey Google, order more fabric softener,” once everything is set up. It could be all too quick now to order those adorable slippers you saw on Buzzfeed but don’t really need.
8.Making a to-do list is a good idea.
You’ll thank yourself later for using this Google Home trick. Any job or reminder can be added to your to-do list. Make a note of what’s coming up next. Make a checklist of things for the huge new job project with your family. Make a digital to-do list for the weekend. Are you planning a vacation? Simply query, “Hey Google, add ‘Buy travel deodorant’ to my ‘Trip To Memphis’ to-do list,” if you think of anything different you’ll need to do for your trip.
As you can see, you can make a variety of to-do lists for various life projects. You’ll never miss anything if you set a reminder to review your to-do list.
9. Perform a routine
Running a routine is a useful and an underutilized feature of Google Home. Routines are a collection of commands that Google Home can execute depending on the time of day or a single order.
Morning routine once set in your Home app, and your Home will play your alarm, read your schedule, and tune your TV to “Morning Joe” or whatever commands you want every weekday at 7:00 A.M. You can also just say, “OK Google, tell me about my day,” and you’ll get all the information you need in one place.
When you say, “Hey Google, it’s dinnertime,” your Home will tell everyone in the family to come to the table, switch off your smart lights, and play your family’s meal playlist on Spotify.
10. Disseminate messages
Many people have Google Homes strategically placed in their home or apartment. One for the living room, one for the kitchen, one for each bedroom, and maybe one for the porch or deck as well. However, if all of your Google Homes are linked to the same Wi-Fi network, they will operate together as a “broadcast.”
You don’t even have to be at home to participate. You can use the Google Assistant on your phone to broadcast to the Google Home in your home from anywhere, so you can tell everyone you’re on your way or simply say “Hi” to the cat.
11. Do you recall anything?
Gone are the days of scrounging for a pen and using Post-it Notes. With this Google Home hack, you’ll (hopefully) never forget anything again.
Are you still misplacing your keys? “Hey Google, remember that I put my car keys over the side table,” you might tell Google and then Ask “Hey Google, where did I keep my car keys?” and you’ll be led to the side table.
The remember function can be used in a variety of ways. Ask Google to recall your bike lock combination, where you stashed the kids’ Christmas gifts, or how much nutmeg goes into your grandmother’s apple pie recipe, and the answer will be there in a jiffy
Have you forgotten what you asked Google to remember? Don’t Panic, google will save you. “Hey Google, I asked you to remember something, what was that?” and you are sorted.
12. Locate your iPhone on a table. Hacks for your Google Home
We’re a forgetful bunch, to say the least. Before Google Home, what did we do? If you’re constantly losing track of your phone, Google will assist you. Rather than rummaging through the sofa cushions, clearly ask.”Hey Google, I lost my phone,find it for me please?”
You’ll be able to choose between sending a friendly alarm to your phone or calling it from your device. This feature works even if your phone is set to silent or do not interrupt, and even if you have several phones associated with your account. Simply press the power button to let Google know you’re ready to go once you’ve located your cell phone. You can also connect your reminders and messages directly to your Google Keep notes app.
13. Ask for recommendations
It’s dessert time, and you’re looking for a place to eat with your friends or roommate. That’s where Google Home comes in. Simply type in what you’re searching for, and Google will provide you with some excellent suggestions.
When you choose one from the list, your Home will show you the Google review ranking, the url, and directions to your phone. Do you need to make a reservation or place an order at the curb? By saying, “Get me a seat at OpenTable,” “Order delivery from Grubhub,” or “Get me a ride to pick up,” you can ask Home to get you a seat, order delivery from Grubhub, or get a ride to pick up.
14. Place an order for pizza.
Who says you have to ask for directions to the restaurant? You can use Google Home to place food orders. “Hey Google, let me speak to Dominos,” you can say to your Home, and it will link you to “Dom, Dominos Ordering Assistant Bot.”
You will be guided through the process of linking your Dominoes account by the bot. Then, without ever picking up the phone, you can put a brand new order through your speaker and watch it as it is made and delivered.
15. Look your to-do list and schedule.
Google Home uses your Google Calendar, as well as any other related calendar, to keep you informed of all of your upcoming events. you can ask “what is my schedule today?”
With Home setting up a calendar event is also an easy task, you just have to say “Ok Google, set a meeting with Josh on 15th June at 6:00 p.m.” and its done.
16. Take the lead to be Guy Fieri or Alton Brown
Who needs takeout when you can make dinners that are on par with what you’d see on TV? Let’s pretend you’re watching Food Network and Giada De Laurentiis is preparing a delicious Bolognese sauce. Perhaps you’d like to make it yourself?
You can say something like, “Hey Google, ask Food Network to give me the recipe that is currently being shown on television.” If you’re watching the show in real time, your gadget can give you the recipe for whatever show is currently on in your time zone. It can also be sent directly to your Gmail account.
Neither Giada nor Google can promise that yours will be as delicious as hers.
17.Listen to audiobooks
Who wants to read in the year 2021? We’ve come a long way now. Audiobooks are now so popular and widely accepted that Hollywood A-list celebrities are lending their voices to read the latest novels. You can listen to books from your Google Home in the same way as you can listen to music. Audible (the most common audiobook app) is currently not supported by Home, and vice versa. There is, however, a solution. Simply click the “cast” icon on your Android phone or tablet, pick your Home speaker, and play the Audible app. You can also choose books from Google Play Books, which your Home will automatically link to.
18. Maintain a balanced lifestyle
With a smart speaker, remaining safe is even easier. If you have a cold or the flu? Do you have an ache in a spot where you don’t usually get aches? Simply tell your Google Home to go to WebMD to look up your symptoms. Dr. Home will tell you what the problem is if you tell it how you’re feeling and what doesn’t feel good. You may also use it to learn more about a particular medicine.
19. Set some quiet hours.
The volume on your Google Home is set to usual daytime levels during the day, but you don’t want your speaker shouting at you at night (or in the early morning). Thankfully, you don’t have to keep changing the volume up and down all day because you can easily set your Home’s “Night Mode.”
You can programme Night Mode to turn on and off at particular times and days using the Home app. This will not only turn down the volume, but it will also dim the device’s lights so it isn’t staring at you in the dark.
20. Read more than a story to your child.
When your kids are tired of mommy and daddy’s versions of their favorite bedtime stories, Google Home has you covered.
“Harry Potter”, “Barbie Princess” are just a few of the books that your Home can help you read along with to your kid. For this just say, “OK Google, let us read along with Disney “. To make the bedtime stories even better, Google Home will play music and relevant music to match the theme.
21. Be a bilingual person
Google Home is a native English speaker, but English isn’t the only language it understands. Not only is Google accessible from anywhere on the planet, but 20% of Americans speak a language other than English at home. Google Home is available in almost 30 languages as a result of this.
Simply open the Google Home app and choose a second (or third, or fourth) language to begin speaking. You can also switch in between and It will react in kind if you speak to it in any of the supported languages.
Is English your sole means of communication? It’s no problem. Anything you need to know will be translated for you by Google. For this, you can type in your native language simply. Alternatively, you can activate Google’s “interpreter mode” by telling it, “OK Google, I need an interpreter in…” and specifying the language
22. Activate fast commands
You can send your Google Home a variety of commands to perform a variety of tasks. These are some of the questions you can ask Google Home. Say something like…
- To repeat the previous answer, say “Hey Google, say that again” or “Hey Google, can you repeat that more slowly?”
- To permanently turn to a male voice, a different female voice, or a voice with a different accent, say “Hey Google, change voice.”
- “OK Google, play white noise” or “OK Google, play rain sounds” to create a very relaxing environment.
- For hands-free tuning assistance, say “OK Google, tune my guitar” or “OK Google, play a F sharp.”
- “Hey Google, let me talk to 21 Blackjack,” you say to Google, and you lose your virtual life savings.
- To hear an immersive Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style story, say “OK Google, open the magic door.”
- “Hey Google, talk to Sassy Girl,” you can launch a nice conversation with a sassy A.I. by saying, “Hey Google, talk to Sassy Girl.”
- “OK Google, tell me something positive,” and your Home will respond with tidbits of upbeat news and anecdotes.
- And if you are tired of saying “Hey Google” or “OK Google”, “Hey Boo Boo,” will elicit a response from your home too.
23. Look for Easter Eggs
There are a lot of fun Google Home hacks and commands that Google (with the help of Pixar and “The Onion”) has concealed for you to discover. You’ll be shocked by some of your assistant’s responses if you try these Easter Eggs.
- “Hey Google, play some beatbox.”
- “OK, Google, sing a tune,” I said.
- “Are you Skynet, Google?”
- “Hey, Google, Hodor,” says the narrator.
- “OK, Google, I’m in a good mood.”
- “What will Brian Boitano do, Google?”
- “OK, Google, you can’t possibly be serious.”
- “OK, Google, make a joke for me.”
- “Inconceivable!” exclaims Google.
If you swear at your Google Home, it will notice that you are upset and will ask if you want to file a bug report.
What Google Home tricks have you discovered?
Is there something we left out? In the comments, tell us about your favorite Google Home hacks!
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