Google’s Gemini voice assistant for the home: 100 things to try

Expand your knowledge

1. Deepen your expertise on all sorts of topics, such as unraveling scientific or natural mysteries. “Hey Google, help me explain to my 7-year-old how electricity works.” or “Hey Google, how is glass made of sand?”
2. Ask it to explain more complex topics. “Hey Google, my teacher said that looking at distant stars is like looking back in time. Can you explain that?”
3. Get a personal tour of current events: “Hey Google, I heard there was a breakthrough in quantum computing”
4. Learn new words. “Hey Google, what is the term for the smell of rain?”
5. Clear up difficult definitions. “Hey Google, what’s the difference between ‘affect’ and ‘effect’ and what’s a trick to remember which one to use?” Follow up with “Hey Google, give me some examples in a sentence.”
6. Understanding global issues. “Hey Google, what is a trade deficit?”

Get quick answers and facts

7. Discover fun facts by asking something like “Hey Google, which land mammal is the fastest swimmer?” Or try “Hey Google, how many people would fit in the tallest building in the world?”

8. Brush up on your sports trivia. “Hey Google, who are the top five scoring players in basketball history?”

9. Or ask hypotheticals. “Ok Google, which of these players would win in a one-on-one tournament in their prime?”

10. Leave your calculator in the drawer: “OK Google, what is the square root of 6,754?” And now with Gemini, you can ask for even more advanced calculations like “OK Google, if I have $1,000 in my savings account, how much will it grow over five years at 4% interest?”

Follow the sport

11. See when your team is playing next: “Hey Google, what time isnext game?” And to make sure you don’t miss it, follow up with “Hey Google, put it on my calendar.”

12. Get deeper into the game. “Hey Google, what matches should you watch in Monday’s game?”

13. Follow the results. “Hey Google, how was your last race?” Or see how the season goes. “Hey Google, who’s leading the series?”

Troubleshoot problems around the house

14. Learn how to get the most out of your gadgets: “Hey Google, how do I use real-time translation on my Pixel Buds?”

15. Troubleshoot common problems with your devices: “Ok Google, why won’t my laptop turn on?”

16. Get help with home repairs and improvements. “Hey Google, I think my kitchen sink has a leak.” Or “Hey Google, how can I get better water pressure in my shower?”

Experience and enjoy music

17. It’s easy to listen to your favorite artists on your favorite streaming service without lifting a finger. “Hey Google, play ” or “Ok Google, play .”

18. Can’t remember the specific details of what you want to listen to? Just give a hint like, “Hey Google, play the song from the movie where they fly into space to blow up an asteroid.”

19. Discover new artists. “Hey Google, who sings this song?”

20. Learn more about what you listen to. “Ok Google, what are these texts about?”

21. Find songs similar to what you’re listening to. “Ok Google, what other songs are similar to this one?”

22. Get nostalgic. “Hey Google, play the song of the summer from 1998.”

23. Or find music that suits your mood. “Ok Google, I want a pop song about overcoming obstacles.”

Listen to podcasts, watch videos and TV

24. Stay up to date with podcasts. “Hey Google, play the latest episode of .”

25. Listen to interviews with your favorite people. “OK Google, play a recent podcast with Sundar Pichai.”

26. Dive deeper into your interests. “Hey Google, play a podcast about life in ancient Rome,” or “OK ​​Google, play a podcast about stand-up comedy.”

27. Watch millions of YouTube videos, on any topic, directly on your smart screen. “Ok Google, play a video about how skyscrapers are built.”

28. Follow your favorite content creators on YouTube. “Hey Google, play the latest video from .”

29. Find content you need to watch. “Hey Google, what’s the new kids’ movie with the catchy songs everyone’s talking about?” Or “Hey Google, make me a list of award-winning TV shows.”

30. Play, pause, rewind, skip forward, skip next or adjust the volume with your voice. “Hey Google, lower the volume.”

31. Take the music with you as you move around your home. “Hey Google, move the music to the speaker in the living room.”

Control your home

32. Turn on the light in the room. “Hey Google, turn on the light.” And now with Gemini you can control devices in certain parts of your home: “Hey Google, turn off all the lights except the living room” or “OK ​​Google, dim the lights, set the temperature to 72° and turn on the TV.”

33. Plan your relaxation. “Hey Google, turn off the lights in 10 minutes.”

34. Secure your home just by asking. “Hey Google, lock all doors.”

35. View your cameras on your smart screen. “Ok Google, show me the backyard camera.”

36. Keep track of your energy consumption. “Hey Google, how many lights are on?”

Use cameras to know what is happening in your home

37. Keep track of your deliveries. “Hey Google, were any packages delivered yesterday?”

38. Get a quick overview of events at home. “Hey Google, follow me on what happened at home today.”

39. Stay informed. “Hey Google, when did Olivia come home?”

40. Keep track of your furry friends. “Hey Google, did anyone take the dog out today?”

41. Search your camera history to solve mysteries. “Hey Google, did something eat my plants in the backyard?” or “Hey Google, was there an animal in my backyard last night?”

Organize household tasks, lists and reminders

42. Get ready for the day. “Hey Google, what’s on my calendar tomorrow?”

43. Start the day right. “Hey Google, set an alarm for 10 minutes before sunrise.”

44. Find the balance between work and personal life. “Hey Google, add ‘yoga class’ to my calendar every Monday at 6pm.

45. Organize your social life. “Hey Google, add dinner with Julian to my calendar at 6pm on Saturday.” And make quick adjustments. “Hey Google, actually do 7pm”

46. Add appointments to a shared family calendar. “Ok Google, Jeremy has a dentist appointment on Wednesday at 3pm”

47. Start collaborative notes. “Hey Google, create a note called ‘vacation ideas’ and add ‘go to the beach.’

48. Collaborate on a family packing list. “Hey Google, make a list of things we might need on a family hike.”

49. Allow time for reminders: “Hey Google, remind us to go out and stare at the night when we can best see the Geminids.”

50. Prepare for the day. “Hey Google, is it going to rain today?” or “Hey Google, how long will it take me to get to Mountain View?”

51. Plan your weekend activities. “Hey Google, what day looks better for a bike ride this weekend?”

52. Check local opening times. “Hey Google, when does the coffee shop near me close?”

53. Remember important errands, “Hey Google, remind me to order a turkey a week before Thanksgiving.”

Get food on the table

54. Meal preparation. “Hey Google, make a list of Mediterranean dishes I can make at home this week.”

55. Build your shopping list. “OK Google, add the ingredients for lemon pepper chicken to my shopping list.” Then when you’re ready, just ask “”Hey Google, what’s on my shopping list?”

56. Get the right amount. “Hey Google, how much black cod should I buy to feed four adults?”

57. Never forget what you need. “Hey Google, add peanut butter and apple cider vinegar to my shopping list.”

58. Get inspiration for dinner. “Hey Google, I need some ideas for a quick, easy dinner to make tonight.”

59. Achieve your health goals. “Hey Google, I need a heart-healthy salad dressing.”

60. Find recipes to your heart’s content. “Ok Google, give me a recipe for fluffy buttermilk pancakes.”

61. Try a new dish. “Hey Google, how do I make onsen tamago?”

62. Improvise while cooking. “Hey Google, I’m out of vanilla, what can I use instead?”

63. Get fast conversions. “Hey Google, how many tablespoons are in half a cup?”

64. Perfect cooking techniques. “Hey Google, how do I make my scrambled eggs fluffy like a professional chef?” Or “Ok Google, how do I know my pan is at the right temperature for frying?” Or, “Hey Google, my vinaigrette needs balance. What’s the best ratio of oil to acid?”

65. Keep dinner on track. “Ok Google, set a pasta timer for seven minutes.” You can also set several timers at once – one for the pasta and another 25-minute timer for the chicken.

66. And manage your timers. “Hey Google, add five minutes to the chicken timer.” Or “Ok Google, restart the asparagus timer.”

67. Not sure how much time you need? Tell Gemini the result you want. “Hey Google, set a timer for a perfectly soft-boiled egg.”

68. Ring the dinner bell. “Hey Google, let everyone know it’s time for dinner.”

Plan your next adventure or gathering

69. Brainstorm your next escape. “Hey Google, give me some ideas for a vacation in November. Somewhere with good food and outdoor activities.”

70. Get specific travel recommendations. “Hey Google, where should I stay to access the best places to dive in Thailand?”

71. Build your itinerary. “OK Google, make a list of the most popular museums to visit in Shanghai.”

72. Find activities close to home. “Hey Google, is there a climbing gym open near me?” or “Hey Google, help me find something fun to do this weekend.”

73. Get help with party planning. “Hey Google, what are some creative, budget-friendly theme ideas for a casual get-together with friends?”

74. Design the perfect post. “Hey Google, I’m hosting a casual barbecue in the backyard. Suggest a full menu with one main course, three side dishes and a dessert that can be made ahead of time.”

75. Raise the mood. “Ok Google, suggest simple, elegant ideas for my dining table that I can make myself.”

Develop new skills and interests

76. Develop your hobbies. “Hey Google, can you help me become a better painter?”

77. Build your reading list. “Hey Google, give me a list of the best detective novels set in a historical period.”

78. Study a foreign language. “Hey Google, how do I say ‘can I make a reservation for four people tonight at 7pm’ in Chinese?”

79. Learn to be more productive. “Hey Google, what are some tips to help me be more efficient with my studies?”

80. Understand the finer points of the game. “Hey Google, what does it mean to keep your king in check?”

Get advice and support

81. Prepare for a big day. “Hey Google, what should I eat leading up to a 5K race to perform at my best?”

82. Find the perfect gift. “Ok Google, I need gift ideas for a friend. She’s really into vintage records and artistic decor.”

83. Connect with loved ones. “Hey Google, call Jeremy.”

84. Calm yourself. “Hey Google, play ocean sounds.” Or “Hey Google, play white noise for two hours.”

85. Get tips on how to find the balance. “Ok Google, how can I start practicing mindfulness?” And follow up with “Hey Google, set aside an hour to stretch and walk every morning at 7am”

Just for fun

86. Learn some new dad jokes. “Hey Google, tell me a joke about penguins.”

87. Solve a puzzle. “Hey Google, ask me a riddle.”

88. Listen to a classic story. “Hey Google, tell me a story.”

89. Or make one on the spot. “Hey Google, tell me a story about a boy and his pet dragon.” And guide the adventure along the way. “Hey Google, make them search for the magic crystal.”

90. Gemini can also help when it comes to playing a game: “Hey Google, roll a 12-sided die.” Or try “Hey Google, flip a coin” to choose who goes first.

“Hey Google, let’s chat…”