10 ways Google Assistant devices can help with working from home

It has less equipment, less face-to-face collaboration, and less sophisticated snack options (probably the biggest drawback of all, to me).

But in addition to that, even if you could enjoy such support in your previous life, there is almost certainly no assistant waiting directly to help you.

Now, let me introduce you to my friend, your new on-demand associate.It may not be able to do everything Human Your assistant can help, but every time you wake up, you eagerly wait in your home office and sit on your desk.And any kind of work (or maybe Non-Work) What you are doing, it is always full of energy and will be ready to help in every way it can.

It’s just the Google Assistant, and it’s found in a variety of small speakers and more sophisticated smart displays. For the last few years, I’ve put assistant-enabled speakers or screens on my home office desk. This is the world-famous Android Intelligence International Headquarters (deep in a musty, foam-filled bunker). And I have to say: Despite the fact that these devices are mainly sold for family-friendly homes, especially in more lonely spaces, to be free to use at work May be told.

Now, is there a significant overlap between what you can do with a speaker or desk screen connected to your assistant and what you can already do with a trusted Android smartphone? You should believe it. However, performing tasks on a dedicated fixed device is easier and more effective than tinkering with your smartphone. Using the assistant speaker or screen does not drain your valuable mobile battery. Also, because such devices are standalone, they are suitable for certain types of tasks.

Therefore, if you have a spare assistant gizmo around, or if you’re thinking of picking it up during your vacation, keep in mind the following productivity potentials:

1. Handling phone and video conferencing

Whether you’re ordering beef chow fun or doing a very important business survey (with or without wide noodles), you can take your finger off when you need to make a call. , Don’t look around for the phone or stop doing other things. m I’m doing it.I just say Google Hey, phone … Followed by a contact or company name, or just a number. You could even hear a voicemail that way by simply asking Google to dial your number (in theory, if you’ve ever performed such a silly action anyway).

Internet-based call quality is often significantly better than what you hear on a regular cell phone. Also, after checking with Google, you can choose to display it as a call from a normal number or as “private” if necessary. It’s essentially an off-the-shelf speakerphone, with no phone service or luxury hardware required. Integrated calling capabilities are available in the United States or Canada. In other locales, you can use Google Duo for voice calls or connect your assistant to a regular mobile calling plan if your mobile operator supports it.

Speaking of Duo, a smart display connected to an assistant also adds the ability to make video calls through its service. I admit that this isn’t done very often from my humble home office, but it seems like that. Maybe … Beneficial in the right circumstances. You can also start or join multiple Google Meet meetings on your device with certain smart display models. This is a very convenient way to stay connected while freeing the main computer from extra tasks and on-screen clutter.

2. Know the schedule

Checking in with an old calendar is as easy as using a virtual assistant at your desk. Clean your throat, hum a happy little song and say one of the following types of phrases:

Hey Google, what’s my next meeting?

Hey Google, where are my next plans?

Google, are there any events on Friday?

When are you planning to run through the quarry with Google and Steve Guttenberg? *

The smart display has the added benefit of automatically showing upcoming appointments and reminders on your home screen, giving you a visual overview of the previous day.

* If that particular command returns a result, ask for help immediately.

3. Agenda management

When something new happens on a busy schedule, you can handle it with a smart display or other device connected to your assistant. Tell your friendly helper: Add to calendar Or Create an appointment — Then immediately give the details or pause and wait for the assistant to ask for more information. With either method, the action is completed in seconds and your fingers can be happy without interruption from the other methods.

4. Reminder settings and management

Google’s cross-platform reminder system is very useful. Having an assistant speaker or smart display on your desk is the center of your work environment. When you see a task you need to remember, call someone again at a specific time, refresh your website a few hours later, or look for abandoned candies in your pantry when no one is at home. Everything you have to do, such as doing it. Say out: Hey google reminds me of what to do [this] so [that time]..

Reminders are saved and the assistant portal chimes to let you know when it’s time to have reminders. Especially with smart displays, you’ll also see a full-screen visual with all the information. And if you’re out of the office when you see reminders, don’t worry. If you’re using Android (or have the assistant app installed and configured properly), you’ll also receive regular notifications on your smartphone. , If you dare to use iDevice).

Speaking of your phone, it’s another useful option in this area. You can use a desk-based virtual buddy to send yourself text that immediately appears as a sensitive notification to your pocket-sized flashy buddies. When setting up using this IFTTT applet, Own Phone number as a target.

5. Remember certain things

One of the assistant’s coolest off-the-beat features is the ability to remember everything you say. And every time you request it, it immediately spits out information. For example, suppose you don’t want to forget the name of an important client’s child or the name of a hotel that has people in a particular city (the future of virtual utopia where business travel becomes common again).

Whatever it is, tell it to the assistant who lives at your desk: Google Hey, keep in mind that Rick Springfield’s kid’s name is Jesse, Or Remember, Google, LA Hotel is a Westin Bonaventure.. Then ask your smart display or assistant speaker before calling Rick or considering a room reservation. Google Hey, what’s the name of Rick Springfield’s kid? — Or What did you talk about the LA Hotel?

It’s like having an infinite memory — or it would seem to everyone else.

6. Delete notes and lists

Do you prefer to take notes somewhere where you can see it? You can use the integration of the assistant with the Google Keep Android app (or Google Keep on other platforms) to take notes without lifting your little finger.Just say Hey google, take notes Then, whatever you want to remember. Your notes are stored in Keep and will be available the next time you open the service.

But uh, Note You need to open the Google Home app on your smartphone to make sure Keep is actually set as your preferred note-taking service.When the app is displayed, on the main screen[設定]Tap the icon[メモとリスト]Find and tap from the list of options[GoogleKeep]Choose.

If you prefer, you can also choose from other note-taking optional (surprisingly small) options. You may also want to use the deskside assistant for services such as: It’s not The list teaches you simple commands for tasks such as creating new Evernote notes, adding to existing Evernote notes, creating new Trello cards, and even adding notes to Google Sheets using IFTTT. I can.

7. Alarm and timer settings

You may need a gentle reminder to get up every 20 minutes to stretch. Or you might want to wake up from a “productivity nap” in time for an afternoon zoom meeting. In any case, there is no problem. Instruct your office assistant ship to set timers or alarms for as long as you need.

And don’t worry: your secret is safe with me.

8. Find and mute the phone

For smart displays or assistant speakers Find my phone There is a clear appeal, especially if you are a cluttered person who hides your phone and tends to thrive.

Due to lesser-known possibilities silence Your Android phone via your Digital Assistant device.Just say Hey google, shut up my phone — Or Gently remove my phone Go the other way. As long as Voice Match is set up properly, the adjustments will be faster than saying “Succotash suffers, Siri is definitely the worst!”.

9. Execution of advanced routines

In addition to individual commands, the assistant can handle complex multi-step routines. Smart displays or connected speakers are the perfect place to do them. To get started, reopen the home app on your smartphone, this time tapping the routine icon on the main screen. You can then select one of the pre-created routines on the screen and customize it to your needs, or tap the plus icon in the lower right corner to start a new routine from scratch.

Either way, you can customize exactly what voice commands trigger routines and what happens at run time. And the possibilities of this are virtually endless. You can turn on the connected lights in your office and create a routine to read the next day’s calendar appointments and reminders summary.Set your phone to a certain volume level and start playing low volume and soothing classical music each time you say it Let’s start my day (Fu!).

You can also have it read you Next Adjust the volume level of your day’s events, reminders, and phone again, send a text to let your colleagues know you’re signed out, and then turn off the music and connected lights in the room each time you say it. closing time.. As a bonus, you can also have your assistant play a specific theme song by a Semisonic band as the last auditory statement of the day.

Or you can have your assistant say, “My goodness, you are doing a great job!”And play Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” every time you say Oh shack, I’m worried.. Whatever you need, you only have to set it once. You can always make a call immediately by calling an assistant on the speaker or screen and saying magic words.

10. Give background noise

Some people work best in silence. Others like music. Then, in order to cover the sound around the home office that might be stuck in during the day, there are people who need some white noise (Hello, children!).

This may not be the most high-tech feature of the assistant device, but it’s worth it. If you need a little ambient (but not overly distracting) audio, tell your speakers or screen to play one of the following:

The sound of a babbling stream

Fireplace sound

The sound of the forest

The sound of the sea

The sound of a vibrating fan (yes, really!)

Sound of rain

The sound of the river

The sound of a thunderstorm

The sound of water

White noise

Source: Eminetra.co.nz