Every Android phone comes with the Google Search app pre-installed. And you may have often used it to search out some information. But have you checked out the other features of this excellent app? Yes, Google Search app can do much more for you than just search.
News Feed:
Google Search app can provide you with the latest news about topics you are interested in. This news feed appears under the Google Search bar. This news feed can also show you current weather, stocks and match updates of your favourite sports and teams. You can setup your feed by opening the Menu of the app and going to Customize. From here, you can choose the topics you want to follow. Next, tap at the Settings in the menu and go to Your Feed. Here, you can choose more options like Stocks, Commute Time, Bills etc.
Mini-apps:
When you are on the Google Search App's home page, you'll notice several mini-apps shown under the search bar. Click the tiny arrow on the right of them and you can access a whole list of these mini-apps. These include utility apps like Eat & Drink, Coffee Shops, Pharmacies, Petrol Stations that can help you find these places near you. The tools also includes Google Translate. So, you don't have to install a separate Translator app if you need it in your travels or studies. Besides other utilities like Weather and Travel apps, the list includes some fun tools too. These include games like Solitaire and Tic Tac Toe, animal sounds and 'I'm feeling curious' button that serves a random fact at every press. There are also tools like Coin Flip, Random Number, and Roll a Dice, in case you are stuck between difficult choices and want to try your luck. Other tools include unit convertor, currency convertor. There are also Spinner and Spirit Level tools to help you regain your calm.
OK Google:
This is the feature that I love best about Google Search App. The ability to search and give commands to the phone using your voice. Open Menu, go to Settings, then Google Assistant Settings. tap on Phone option in Devices and activate Google Assistant and 'OK Google' detection. Train the device to recognize your voice. In the Android Assistant settings, set up your preferences in the Services available. Like, setup the default music player that you want Google to use.
Once you have setup the OK Google, you just need to speak "Ok Google" for the Google Assistant to pop up. Now, just ask your question or give your command. I've set Google Play Music as my default music player. So, when I say, "Ok Google, play some music,' it launches the Play Music and starts streaming random songs. And since Google knows me very well, the songs match my taste perfectly. In fact, I love Google's music selection for me every time I try it.
You can also give commands to the device by saying Ok Google. You can just say, 'Ok Google, wake me up tomorrow at 8 am.' And it will set the alarm for 8 am. You can even send SMS, place calls, type emails by giving commands to Ok Google. If you say, 'Ok Google, what's the meaning of (some word)?' It will speak out its meaning. You can ask Google for the spelling of any word, and it will spell it out to you.
Here's a list of things Ok Google can do.Explore and Your Stuff on Google Assistant:
When you have launched the Google Assistant by saying OK Google, tap the round blue button floating near the top right corner. This will lead you to Explore and Your Stuff tabs. In the explore tab, you'll find several interesting bots you can talk too. These include Healing Sounds which plays soothing music when you launch it.
The Your Stuff tab shows you your reminders, agenda and shopping list (if you have set up shopping list feature).
My Day:
Like a personal assistant, Google Assistant gives you a briefing of your day, including details about your reminders, meetings, weather, and latest news. Just go to Settings, Google Assistant settings, My Day (in services). Choose the information you want included in your daily briefing. Now, you just need to say OK Google, My Day, and the app will read out your day's agenda, weather condition and news etc.
So, you see, Google Search app is much more than a search app. You have to dig deep in its various settings and options to use its full functionality. But once set up, it can give you several convenient and fun features. Just spend some time to explore all its options, and set it up to serve you better.
* Google Search app may not have all these features in old smartphones.
