Learn how Android application can be extended by developers with Google Assistant using App Actions. This provides a high level of automation which enables the user to call up the Google Assistant with their voice and pass parameters to an App to have it action specific tasks without having to open the App itself.

While aimed at developers it is worth knowing about these procedures to understand how certain things work. The clips also introduce concepts known as "Built-in-intents" [BII] and "Android Intents". 

Click here for a video "Extend your Android app with Google Assistant using App Actions" from Mar 2021

Click here for a video "Extend your Android application with Google Assistant and App Actions" from Oct 2020

Here are some examples of using Routines that were circulated in emails from Google :- 

• Do multiple tasks at once with Routines

• Learn about Digital Wellbeing

• Manage timers & alarms

• Make calls and send messages

Click here to see a HowToGeek article "How to Start Google Assistant Routines From Your Home Screen" that shows you how to set up an icon to launch a custom routine.

Click here to see a ComputerWorld article from September 2021 called "3 new time-saving Assistant tricks to try on Android" that has 3 sections covering [1] The Delayed Action and [2] The Daylong Routine and [3] The Alarm Activation Automation

Click here to see a 9to5Google article from August 2021 called " New Google Assistant ‘Daylong Routine’ can have multiple actions that trigger at different times" and learn how to set up a series of actions to be started at different times of the day.

Click here to see a HowToGeek article that details how to set up your Google Assistant to automatically carry out tasks depending upon your location.

Click here to see a 9to5Google article that explains how trigger a routine to be run, under certain qualifying conditions, when an Alarm is dismissed.

Click here to see a 9to5google article that provides an overview of the new features, including the ability to set [exact or relative] times to trigger your routines based upon your geographic location.

Routines are a way of letting you define a sequence of multiple actions that can then be invoked by a single command. They are created, and managed, with the Google Home App via Assistant Settings > Assistant tab > Routines.    

    N.B. When routines were introduced they automatically converted any shortcuts you may have had to the new format.

Click here for a CNET article from June 2020 called "Google Home Routines can get annoying. Here's how to avoid that".

Click here for a CNET article from June 2020 called "Create custom commands and responses using Google Home Routines".

Click here for a CNET article from July 2018 showing how to create 'shortcuts' and schedule 'routines'.

Click here for a HowToGeek article from July 2018 explaining how to schedule 'routines' [only newly created ones]

Click here for a CNET article from June 2018 showing how to link two or more commands together and how routines work.

If you ask Google Assistant to carry out a number of actions within a single routine but would like each to be separated by a pause [or a longer delay, then you can insert action pauses between commands in the middle of your routine :- ]

• 1. Open the Google Home app and tap the Routines button.

• 2. Tap either an existing routine or the + sign in the bottom right corner to create a new one.

• 3. Tap Add action at the bottom of the list of suggested actions.

• 4. Type "Talk to Mister Home for…" followed by the duration of the delay, for example, "2 minutes 10 seconds,"       then tap Add and, on the next screen, Save.

Listening to podcasts can be both entertaining and informative but we normally need to take time out to appreciate them and that means remembering to whenever you have the opportunity - however this need not be the case.

Click here for a 9to5google article called "How to add your favourite podcasts to your Google Home routines"

• Find Devices That Are Increasing Your Energy Bills

• Detect When Your Dryer Is Finished

• Get Alerted if Your Fridge Stops Working

• Get an Alert if Your Iron Is Still On When You Leave the House

• Lock Down Devices During Peak Energy Hours

• Check if Your Dehumidifier Is Full

• Trigger Automations When You Start Working

It is incredibly easy to use Google Assistant with the "Clock" app - here are a couple of links that explain more.

• Click here for the Google Clock Integration support page

• Click here for a guide from How-To Geek