Gemini   [previously Assistant]

Click here for a comprehensive list of all the things you can connect to including Lighting and Appliances & Fixtures and Home Security and Entertainment Systems and Home Electronics and Computer & Peripherals  and Others

Click here for a HowToGeek article "What Is Google Assistant, and What Can It Do?" that gives a brief history of the product to January 2021.

Click here for a 9to5Google article that explains how you can now allocate short names [triggers] to your longer [named] Routines

Click here for an announcement dated 09/12/2020 giving the ability to optionally add Home screen icons for key routines. 

Click here for an article from 9to5Google called "Google Assistant gets renamed ‘Communication’ settings as new Family Broadcast rolls out" 

Click here for the related, and updated, Google Support page. 

Click here to read a HowToGeek article "How to Use Google Assistant to Perform Actions in Apps" and learn how to have your Google Assistant communicate with other Apps using the "Shortcuts" feature.

Click here for a CNET article called "Google Assistant voice commands work with Android apps now" not only for just opening and searching within apps but users can also ask the assistant for help with specific app-based tasks, like playing music, starting a run, paying a friend or ordering food for delivery. 

Click here for a similar article from Chrome Unboxed called "Google Assistant adds voice commands to Android Apps so our digital lives can become less mechanical" with examples of what is being done now, and likely direction the future may hold.

Click here for another TechRadar article called "Google Assistant adds custom voice commands and shortcuts for 3rd-party apps" from Tech Radar that provides lots more information on the subject.

Did you know you can use Google Assistant voice commands to connect to the Microsoft To Do App and get it to create a new note in your "To-Do list" for you. Simply decide on a meaningful title for your note [e.g. "Update website" as used below] and ask Google Assistant to set it up for you as shown in the pictures that follow. 

• With Google Assistant running just say "Ok Google, add a note" + "Update website" [or any other descriptive name]

         By default a screen conservation will start in the Google Assistant App which will be running in dictation mode so 

         you simply say a descriptive name for the note [e.g. Update website] that you want to make  ....

                                              "Ok Google, add a note Update website"

       If however if you need to type in a different descriptive name for your note you can start by just saying ...

                                             "Ok Google, add a note"

       then switch to typing mode and enter the descriptive name for your note using the smartphone's keyboard.

• Whichever way you provided the title of your new note the To Do app will open showing it listed on the To-Do list screen where, optionally, you can include more subject matter to the body of the note.

The first time you use Google assistant to create a note it will prompt you to allocate a default App for it to work with. A list of available Apps is displayed by Google Assistant from which you just select the Microsoft "To Do" entry.

This combination of linked Apps works really well - an obvious time saver and as it can all be done without actually touching your smartphone it can be extremely handy.  

N.B. The version of the Google Assistant that is built in to each Google Home speaker currently [@ June 2018] does not work, it just responds with a message "Sorry, I can't take notes yet" - however with luck it maybe coming soon ?

The full list of Google Assistant voice commands is long and growing, but there are several you'll actually use regularly: 

• • • • • • • • • Make a to-do list, or shopping list

                • Ask your Google Home to remind you to do anything

                • Create as many timers as you want.

                • Learn how to link your phone number 

                • Place or receive calls [by CNET] and see an update [from CNET]

                • Learn how to string three Google Home commands together

                • Click here for an AndroidPit article called  "Make the most of Google Assistant with these voice commands"

Click here to see “Snapshot: The Android feature you didn't know you needed” an article from the TechRepublic, written by Jack Wallen, that reveals a few interesting features you may not know about.

Click here to see an article from HowToGeek that shows you how to use the Google Assistant on your smartphone to change weak or compromised passwords, stored in your Google Account, to ensure they are secure.

Click here see this article called "How to Schedule Announcements on Google Assistant Speakers and Displays" by HowToGeek that explains how to set things up.

Click here is to read a CNET article that outlines some of the strengths of the Google Assistant compared to Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri.

Click here to learn all of the different things the Assistant is capable of doing. Google eventually created this really useful reference resource to consolidate the previous 'snippets' of information that were scattered all over the place - it is well worth reading and bookmarking.

Click here for an article entitled "Google Assistant tips and tricks: beginner to expert" from AndroidPit that receives periodic updates.

A few examples. - just start with, "Hey Google" then follow with ...

• • • • • • • • • "Text Sam 'I'm on my way'"

                • "Search my email for tickets"

                • "Call home"

                • "Read my messages"

                • "Make a Video Call" 

Click here for instructions in a HowToGeek article called "How to Leave a Family Note on the Google Nest Hub".

Click here for the Google Services page that explains about reminders in general.

Click here to learn about 'Assignable Reminders' for families and housemates.

Click here for an XDA-Developer's article from September 2021 called "Google Assistant adds a hub for your reminders and lets you pay for gas {in US only} from your phone".

When used on the Smartphone App or a Smart Hub display [say “Hey Google, open my reminders.”] you are presented with the relevant page - when used with a smart speaker it gives a verbal response.

The Google Assistant is amazing software that is built into many new Android devices - see official list of platforms. 

It is also available as a smartphone App from either the Play Store for Android, or from the App Store Apple iOS, where there are detailed descriptions of it's features.

Did you know you can access the Google Assistant from any screen on your Android smartphone by using the trigger words - to find out more click here.

Apart from the main Google Home App mentioned above that you must have to set up your device there are loads more companion Apps to be found in the Google Play Store than can help you to learn more about the device and enjoy it to the full. 

Here are a few examples of what is available, remember once you are at the Play Store you can search to find all of the latest Google Home related Apps.

Click here for Commands For Google Home App 

Click here for Google Home Commands

Click here for User Guide For Google Home 

Click here for Voice Commands Guide for OK Google 

Click here for Taking Notes In Google Keep Using Google Assistant 

Click here to learn how to control a Chromecast device connected to your TV [or any screen with an HDMI connection] using the Google Assistant App or the Chrome browser extension..

     N.B.  If you already have a Chromecast follow this link for some handy tips

Click here to read about the suitability, or other, of appliances you might want to control with a smart outlet.

Click here to see a 9to5google page, that is updated regularly, which is a great Guide that explores features and tips as they are introduced. 

Click here to see a ComputerWorld article "42 ways Google Assistant can make you more efficient on Android" from Jan 2022. 

Click here to see a TechRepublic article from May 2021 to get to know more about using your Google Assistant.

This link is for a "ChromeUnboxed" article that shows you how to get a lot of fun from items grouped under "Learn", "Play" and "Imagine" headings.

This link is for a "HowToGeek" article that shows you some of the best things you can do using the Assistant on your Smartphone

This link is for a "TechRepublic" article on "Smart Persons Guide" for using Assistant

Occasionally things can go wrong with any form of tech - click here to reads some useful tips that may help if you experience problems in getting your Google Assistant to work properly.

Click here for another one from CNET that deals with three issues :-

• • • • Home App does not see any devices

      • Home does not recognise your voice

      • Home can't connect to lights or smart home