Make Use Of Your Google Assistant

Read on for eight easy ways to get started with Google’s chatty servant, from telling it what to call you, to making a shopping list, to turning on Bluetooth and even playing Solitaire.

Give Assistant some familiar voice commands
Just tap and hold the Home button, wait for Google Assistant to pop up, and then say something like, “send a text message to my wife,” “send a mail message,” or “what’s the fastest way home?” Click here for more ideas, or just ask, “What can you do?”

Chat with Assistant when your phone is offline
Siri, Apple’s digital assistant for iPhones and iPads, falls silent without a data connection. Not so with Google Assistant, which can still perform plenty of tasks even when you’re out of Wi-Fi and cellular range.

Scan the screen
Similar to what you used to do with Screen Search, tap and hold the Home button, then tug up on the Google Assistant window.

Once you do, you’ll see search results based on whatever’s on the screen, along with any actions (like creating appointments or making restaurant reservations) that your digital helper deems appropriate.

Tell Assistant what you’d like to be called
By default, Google Assistant will call you by the first name on your contact card. If you want your digital buddy to call you something else, just say something along the lines of, “Call me Charlie.” The Assistant will ask for a confirmation before committing your new nickname to memory.

Here’s another way to tell Google Assistant how to address you: Open the Assistant, tap the three-dot button in the top-right corner of the window, then tap Settings > Personal info > Nickname.

Ask Assistant to keep quiet
If you like, you can set Assistant to hold its tongue whenever it’s not in hands-free mode. Just open Assistant, tap the three-dot menu button, tap Voice > Speech output, then tap Hands-free only.

Order Assistant to turn on your Bluetooth (or another setting)
Nope, you don’t have to open Quick Settings to enable Bluetooth on your Android phone. Just summon Google Assistant, then say, “Turn on Bluetooth.”

Add items to your shopping list
To check which Keep shopping list is linked to Google Assistant, open the Assistant, tap the three-dot button in the top-right corner of the window, then tap Settings > Shopping list.

Ask Assistant to entertain you
If you’re need a pick-me-up, just say “random fun;” when you do, Google Assistant will surprise you with an inspirational quote, a cat video, or something else to make you smile.