How to ask Google Assistant to find things and take notes

This page was translated using AI and machine learning.

(Pocket-lint) – Google Assistant has some really handy features, including the ability to take notes and lists and search for specific photos by voice, you may even find a misplaced phone.

Here is what you need to know.

squirrel_widget_168546

What you can do with the Google Assistant

Here are five awesome features you might not know about:

1. Google Assistant can create notes and lists for you.
2. Google Assistant can help you assign reminders to your roommates and family.
3. Google Assistant can view photos and send them to your friends or family.
4. Google Assistant can search for podcasts on a certain topic.
5. Google Assistant can help you find a lost phone

How do these features work?

Notes and lists

You need to connect Google Assistant to an app you want to use to create notes or lists, such as Google Keep, Any.do, AnyList, or Bring !. Notes and lists are available on phones, speakers and smart displays compatible with the Assistant.

1. Select the Services tab in the settings of your Google Assistant, then choose the name of the application in the section Notes and lists.
2. Once logged in, lists created from your Assistant device will appear in this app.
3. You can also ask Google Assistant for your created notes and lists before connecting Google Assistant to your app.
4. Try saying “Make a holiday gift list” or “Add turkey to my grocery list” or “Take a note” or “Show me my notes.”

Attributable recalls

Assignable reminders help you collaborate and stay in touch with the people who are in your household and have access to your Assistant devices. With this feature, you can ask your Google Assistant, “Hey Google, remind Corey to pick up the eggnog at the store tomorrow”.

Search photos by voice

It’s as easy as it sounds: use Google Assistant to recover photos buried in your phone’s Camera Roll. On your Android phone, say “Ok Google, find photos from the past summer,” and tap your favorite photos. You can also say, “Ok Google, share these photos with Paul.”

Listen to podcasts by topic

When you ask the Assistant for podcasts on a certain topic, it suggests relevant episodes to you. Just say, “Hey Google, find a serial killer podcast” or “Hey Google, find a WWII podcast.” In any case, it will offer you a podcast and specific episodes to listen to.

Find your phone

This one can save a lot of frustration, just say to your Nest smart speaker or smart display “Hey Google, find my phone” and your phone will get a notification and play a custom ringtone – even when it’s set to silent or do not disturb .

Moreover, this feature works even with iPhones. To activate on iPhone, all you need to do is agree to receive critical notifications and alerts from the Google Home app.

Written by Maggie Tillman. Edited by Luke Baker. Originally published on December 6, 2019.