Smart speakers with Google Assistant answer questions, read the weather report, play news and music. With the right services, users can even expand the functionality of the smart helper, similar to Amazon Alexa. In the photo series, COMPUTER BILD shows an overview of the services available and explains the most exciting functions for each topic.
Google Assistant: services for everyday life
The easiest way to activate new actions for your Google Home in the web browser. Go to assistant.google.com/explore and log in with the Google account you use with your smart speaker. You will then find a category overview on the left edge of the window, which you can use to make a selection. The search field also brings you on the trail of great services and functions. In addition to services such as parcel tracking from the shipping company DPD, the offer also includes applications that make everyday life easier in times of the Corona crisis. The campaign “Help me wash my hands” comes from Google itself. On the command “Ok Google, help me wash my hands”, the smart loudspeaker plays a melody for 40 seconds. This is how long you should stick to cleaning your hands.
Google Assistant: Services for messages
Owners of a Google Home or other smart speakers have the opportunity to find out about the latest news from several services. In addition to Tagesschau and Welt, there are also several news formats from radio stations in the home offer – NDR Info & Co. could be part of your daily news dose.
Google Assistant: Services for Music
With Nest Audio, the music comes from YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer or TuneIn.
Various streaming services can also be used with Google Home. With TuneIn you can listen to a variety of radio stations if you wish, or alternatively you can access the music databases of YouTube Music, Apple Music, Deezer and Spotify. If the Chromecast-enabled TV (either built-in or upgraded) is connected to Google Home, videos from YouTube and Netflix can be played on the TV by voice command. Read here how to link a Chromecast to the Google Assistant.
Google Assistant: Services for Smart Displays
Smart displays with Google Assistant are good for the kitchen.
There are now several Google Assistant devices with a screen. These smart displays like the Nest Home Hub from Google not only clearly show information such as the weather, they are also ideal for use in the kitchen. Hobby cooks find new recipes through services such as head chef. Step-by-step instructions make cooking easy. To pass the time washing dishes, you can also watch videos from YouTube, Netflix and Disney +.
Google Assistant: Games for young and old
Before the ceiling falls on your head at home, start a game on the loudspeaker. In “Cobra 11” you take on the investigation yourself and puzzle your way through six episodes in which many characters from the RTL series appear. Those who prefer to put their football expertise to the test should take a look at the “Kicker Quiz”. For little users, the “Dragon Coconut” has two mini-adventures a day at the start. Alternatively, send the youngsters back in time with “Maxis Zeitreisen”.
Google Assistant: Services for the Smart Home
Google Assistant also supports some manufacturers’ smart home devices. How to operate the intelligent lighting systems from Lifx and Philips Hue using voice commands. Smart plugs, light bulbs and repeaters from TP-Link can also be controlled with the assistant. Here, however, integration is easier with the Google Home app for Android and iOS, which you also used to set up your smart speaker. Simply tap on the plus symbol in the top left, select Compatible with devices from Google and then select the right manufacturer from the long list.