How to use Google Assistant on Android smartphones
<p><em><strong>Lisa Du is director of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://readytechgo.com.au/" target="_blank">ReadyTechGo</a></span>, a service that helps people gain the confidence and skills to embrace modern technology.</strong></em></p>
<p>We speak about <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/technology/2016/12/how-to-use-siri-on-your-iphone-and-ipad/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Siri a lot – the virtual assistant available on Apple devices.</span></strong></a></p>
<p>Now meet Google Assistant, available on Android. <br /> <br /> If you have used Android devices previously, you may have come across Google Now, a feature which pulls out relevant information to you (such as where you work, where you live, what time to leave home to arrive at your next location on time).</p>
<p>Google assistant is available on Android devices running software versions Marshmallow or Nougat (If you're wondering why Google's operating systems are always named after candy/sweets, their spokesperson said: "Since these devices make our lives so sweet, each Android version is named after a dessert: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and Jelly Bean."). </p>
<p><strong>How do I know if my phone has Google Assistant?</strong></p>
<p>To check if your phone has Google Assistant, say <strong>"Ok Google", "Hey, Google"</strong>, or press-and-hold the home button.</p>
<p>On Marshmallow or Nougat devices that have had the update, that long press will launch Google Assistant, popping up with a page asking how it can help, as pictured below (picture courtesy of pocket-lint.com)</p>
<p><strong>What can Google Assistant do?</strong></p>
<p>I'm a huge fan of Virtual Assistants.</p>
<p>Google Assistant is designed to be conversational. Ask Google Assistant a question, and she will determine the context and audibly respond with the right information.</p>
<p><strong>You can ask her things like:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Questions:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>What's the weather tomorrow?</li>
<li>Who sings this song?</li>
<li>What is the phone number for Myer, Melbourne?</li>
<li>How do I say "how are you?" in French?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ask her to do things for you:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Send a message to Matt, and tell him I am running 15 minutes late</li>
<li>Play my "Gym" Playlist on Spotify</li>
<li>Call Grandma on speakerphone</li>
<li>Give me directions to home</li>
<li>Show me photos of Japan</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Reminders:</strong></p>
<p>I love this function!</p>
<ul>
<li>I say things like "Remind me to check the PO Box at 5pm"</li>
<li>Remind me to check the oven in 20 minutes</li>
</ul>
<p>Check out Google Assistant, and let us know what you think of your new virtual assistant! </p>
