Tools are becoming more and more ingenious and their evolution is always moving towards improve the user experience and the Voice Assistant or better known as “Ok Google” is a sample of this. This Google command allows you to search the internet by indicating them with your voice; without the need to type and not even touch your Smartphone.
This is not a new feature, for some years it has already been installed from the factory in most Android devices. The problem that existed was that it only recognized phrases in English, which meant that any Spanish-speaking user who wanted to use it had to know that language. Nevertheless, in 2017 some updates were made that have allowed Google to recognize our mother tongue so that users from Spain and Latin America could take advantage of the benefits of the Google voice assistant.
To start using this tool it is necessary to say “Ok Google”, which is the command that activates voice recognition, but you will need to activate this feature on your device first. That is precisely what we intend to teach you in this guide. In the same way, you will know What are the main commands to carry out the different searches? that allows you the application and to solve any problems that may arise in the process.
Steps to activate and configure Google Assistant on any screen
Some time ago, Google voice search was only available for Android devicesbut currently, after the 2017 update, it is possible to use it also in the Chrome browser and even in iOS. In such a way that you can carry out any search you want from the device you have.
on android
As Android is a Google company, all devices with this operating system They come with the app installed out of the box.. However, since few people use it to its fullest, it may be outdated. It is because of that The first step to activate the OK Google command is to update the application.
For this you must go to the Google Play Store, the most famous application catalog in the world, and search for the Google application. Possibly the option “To update”, if so, you select it and wait for the application to install with the new improvements. If it doesn’t appear, it means you have the latest version, so you won’t need to do this step.
Once the application is updated, You simply have to enter it and look for the button with three superimposed lines with the word “More” that is located in the lower right corner of the screen of your Smartphone. In this way you will be able to see more options in an interface in which you will be able to modify many aspects of the app and even use other functions of it.
Then, look for the option “settings” in which you can configure different aspects of the application, among which are: activation of OK Google. To do this, you must look for the section “Voice”, where everything related to voice commands will be.
You will find a section called “Voice Match”, inside which are two switches; “Access with Voice Match” and “Unlock with Voice Match”the first is to activate the commands and the second is so that we can use this function without touching the mobile and even if it is locked (*This second option can only be enabled if the first is active).
Once you have activated the first option, a configuration wizard will start in which you will have to say “OK Google” three times for the application to register your tone of voiceIt is an extremely simple process that will not take you more than a few seconds.
In the end, the application will ask you if you want the phone to unlock when you say the magic words (OK Google). This is completely optional and there is even a message warning you that this unlock method is not very secure since someone with a voice similar to yours or with a recording could unlock the device without problems and access the information stored on your cell phone.
on iOS
Since 2017 we can use voice searches on any device with iOS operating system, although in principle it is a much more limited function than it is in Android, which is logical since Google Assistant is the direct rival of , Apple’s voice assistant. However, it is still a useful tool, even more so if you previously used an Android Smartphone.
Among the things that you can do with the OK Google in iOS are the typical voice searches, set reminders, activate a stopwatch and timer, search for music, books or movies, and create events in the calendar. To do this, the first thing you have to do is install the application, which is not factory-installed on Apple devices.
You may search for the Google app in your Apple Store and wait for it to install or do it directly from the download link that we suggest below. Later, when starting it you must . Once this is done, you will be able to use the application freely to activate the voice command.
Touch your photo in the upper left corner of the screen and locate the option “Voice search”. Default, this function is enabled for the english languageso all you have to do is go to “Idiom” and select Spanish, in addition to pressing the switch to activate the function.
on this occasion you will not have to register your voice since the function will not allow you to unlock the mobile or use it when it is in rest or stand-by mode. You will only be able to use it by opening the app by saying “OK Google” or by touching the microphone in the search bar.
in Chrome
Previously it was necessary to carry out a series of steps to configure OK Google in the Google Chrome browser, but it is already integrated in the latest version of the web browser. In such a case, to activate it you simply have to make sure you have and a microphone.
To do this, you must select the icon of the three dots in the upper right corner , which will drop down a menu with a series of options. You must click on “Setting” which is near the bottom of the list. This will open a new tab in which you can modify various aspects of the browser.
Once on the settings page, you must click on the icon of the three lines superimposed on each other that is located in the upper left corner of the screennext to “Setting”. This will break down a new menu where you should look for the option “Chrome Information” which will take you to a new page where you can see what version of the browser you have, and if so, you can update it.
After updating Google explorer the job will be done.
You just have to open a new tab or go to google.com (or the version of your country) and do click on the microphone icon at the far right of the search bar. By doing this, a notification will appear in the upper left corner asking you for permission to use the microphone from your computer to search using the voice engine, give it permissions and speak normally to search using your voice.
Full list of “Ok Google” voice search assistant commands
Now that you know how to activate OK Google on all platforms, It is time for you to know which are the commands that you can use to make the most of this function. It should be noted that these will only work perfectly on devices with Android systems since this is an application developed specifically for this operating system. On iOS or any other system only some of these will work.
*Note: Do not forget that before indicating any command, you must always say the magic words “OK, Google”.
Google account
The Google Assistant allows you to use the speech engine to modify or consult different aspects of your . This is a much more practical way to reach sections of your account that would be more difficult to reach by browsing your mobile.
Some of the more useful commands are:
- Open Google account settings
- Show my Google search history
- Change my Google privacy settings
- Open Google security settings
alarms
One of the most used functions of Ok Google. You will be able to set and modify alarms at will just by saying a specific phrase to the assistant:
- Add an alarm at 6 in the morning
- Add an alarm for every Friday at 8 am
- wake me up tomorrow at 7
- Set the alarm for 3 hours from now
reminders
You can also tell the application to set different reminders so you don’t forget events or important tasks in the short and medium term:
- Remind me to call Mario in an hour
- Remind me to take out the trash tomorrow at 7 am
- Remind me to pick up the kids at school in two hours
Diary
Like any good assistant, This is able to help you organize your schedule so that you can consult it at any time. This is perhaps one of the most useful functions of the application:
- Create event for dinner with Anabel tomorrow at 8 pm
- What plans do I have for tomorrow night?
- Create event to play soccer on Tuesday at 10 am
- Cancel dinner with Anabel tomorrow at 8 pm
calls and messages
If you are driving and need make a call from the car or you just don’t feel like looking for a number in the phonebook, you can directly tell the assistant to do it for you and start the call or send him a message. You can even send an email and dictate its content:
- call Peter
- Send a message to Anabel that says: “I’ll see you in an hour at the Barcelona airport”
- Send an email to Miguel, subject, happy new year, message, Happy New Year 2018, period. Attach new year postcard
- Send Telegram message to Mario
- Send Whatsapp to mom
information searches
One of the first features to be enabled was voice search. These allow you Google any information that you need to know at the moment, even about yourself, although the latter will be based on the information from your Google account:
- When was Felipe VI born?
- When was Christopher Columbus born?
- How old is Leo Messi?
- Who is the leader in LaLiga Santander?
- When did World War II end?
- Synonym of predict
- What is my second name?
- When do the Olympic Games start?
- Venue for the next FIFA World Cup final
Trips
If you are planning a tripthe assistant can help you plan by providing useful information about your destination:
- What is the capital of Russia?
- Weather in Moscow next Monday?
- What is the currency of Russia?
- How many dollars are 30 Euros?
- Best hotels in Saint Petersburg
- Flights from Madrid to Moscow
Activate GPS and Maps
You may use the google assistant to find the route to a place where you have never been or simply to know where you are in real time:
- Where I am?
- Route to the nearest McDonald’s
- Take me to a…
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