Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are powerful – but the sad reality is that most people aren’t maximizing their true potential.
The average user is not aware that their pocket AI assistant can instantly scan thousands of photos and find old ones with a few simple commands.
And these bots create incredible PAs, bookmark dates on your calendar and set reminders for important meetings.
So, let’s find out the top voice commands for your smart assistant that can make your daily life easier:
With these details settled, let’s explore the top voice commands for your smart assistant that can make your daily life easier (stock image)
Before we begin, to make your phone’s virtual assistant work better, make sure it really understands your voice, tone, and inflection. These common mistakes make it even more complicated.
Turn on the flashlight
In dimly lit situations, such as trying to decipher a menu or navigate a hallway, the last thing you want is to struggle with your phone to locate the flashlight feature. Opt for an even simpler solution: command your device using your voice.
Just say: ‘Turn on the flashlight.’
This works for both Siri and Google Assistant. Say the wake-up name first to make sure they are listening. You can also ask your assistant to turn off the flashlight.
Here’s a magical tidbit for all Potterheads! You can channel your inner wizard as Harry and his friends use their wands to light things up using ‘lumos’.
And when you’re done, a simple ‘knock’ will send the light away. How’s that for a spelling trick?
Show me a picture of…
Tell your phone, ‘OK, Google, show me a picture of (your pet’s name).’ Even if a pet isn’t part of your family, this voice command has the ability to quickly navigate your photo gallery
On an Android, this trick works when you already back up and organize your photos with Google Photos Attaching a name to the people and pets you photograph often makes them easier to find this way.
For Apple fans, Siri can go into your Photos app and dig up photos based on various parameters — people, activities, objects, dates or even location names.
Now, take your photo search to the next level.
Get fancy and combine parameters: ‘Show me photos from Christmas 2019’ or ‘Show me photos of Ella from February at the beach’.
Remind me…
This voice command is as simple as it is invaluable: ‘Hey Google, set a reminder…’ or ‘Siri, remind me…’.
After prompting your device, you tell it about the task you want to be reminded about.
For example, if you have a phone call with Kim tomorrow at 2pm, say ‘Hey Google, remind me to call Kim tomorrow at 2pm’.
Reminders will then be set, enabling you to continue your day without fear of forgetting this important task.
Or maybe you remember to pick up a gallon of milk from the grocery store at 3pm. Say, ‘Siri, remind me to pick up milk at 3pm’.
Start using your digital assistant as your helper.
How much longer…
It’s a familiar scene: children peppering you with questions, endlessly wondering, ‘How long until Christmas?’
Fortunately, Siri or Google can quickly come to your rescue.
All you need to do is, ‘How long until (insert desired date)?’ It personifies simplicity.
This method is versatile and can meet a multitude of needs.
For example, you’re planning a family vacation in a few months, and the excitement has led to a countdown.
Your digital assistant will easily provide the remaining days, taking the guesswork out of the process and enabling you to focus on planning that perfect vacation.
Search for your application
Many people don’t know that your voice assistant works with your apps
If you’re using an iPhone, activate Siri by saying ‘Hey Siri, launch (app name),’ to access your favorite app.
You can use this feature for more complex tasks, like ‘Hey Siri, ask me for a ride with Uber’ or ‘Hey Siri, Sam $5 with Venmo’ to pay Venmo.
On an Android device, Google Assistant responds similarly to voice commands.
You can open the app by saying ‘Hey Google, open Dunkin Donuts’. For more advanced interactions like ordering, say, ‘Hey Google, order coffee from Dunkin Donuts.’
Google Assistant can help you track orders or play your favorite music like, ‘Hey Google, where’s my Walmart order?’ Or ‘Hey Google, play Frank Sinatra on Spotify’.
Android devices offer voice assistant support for numerous apps such as Snapchat, Discord, Etsy, MyFitnessPal, Mint, Nike Adapt, eBay, Kroger, Best Buy, Postmates and Wayfair.
Add to my calendar
Take advantage of your voice assistant, Siri or Google Assistant to manage your calendar without manually opening your Calendar app. They need information about participants, dates and times.
Here’s an example: instead of manually setting a meeting, say, ‘Hey Siri, set up a lunch meeting with Bob tomorrow at 1pm’. You can further elaborate your events by saying, ‘Hey Google, add an event called “Birthday Dinner” this Sunday at 4pm and remind me to order an Uber home at 9pm.
Remember, if you maintain multiple calendars, specify the target calendar during your command; Otherwise, your event will default to your primary calendar.
Siri is designed to connect seamlessly with Apple’s Calendar app. However, if you’re a Google Calendar user on an Apple device, you’ll need to add your Google Calendar to Apple’s default app.
Silence my phone
Silence your phone before you go to a church, start a meeting or sit down for a job interview.
An easy way to do this is with your voice. Say, ‘Siri, silence my phone’ or ‘Google Assistant, silence my phone’. Poof, gone are any potential distractions.
That wasn’t for you
It’s common to accidentally call your voice assistant with a word similar to ‘Siri’ or ‘Hey Google’.
The device, mistakenly believing it has been called, may begin recording your speech, leading to potential privacy concerns.
The good news is that both Siri and Google Assistant audibly indicate when they are activated.
If you want to prevent Google Assistant from capturing the rest of your conversation, simply say, ‘It wasn’t meant for you’. This command deletes recent recordings from your history.
If Siri is accidentally activated, you can use the correct phrase, ‘It wasn’t meant for you’.
It’s important to note that while this will disable Siri, Apple hasn’t officially confirmed whether this command also removes the last recording from its memory.
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Learn voice commands for emergencies
Siri and Google Assistant can be lifesavers in emergency situations. Here are some important voice commands:
Call emergency services: Both Siri and Google Assistant can dial emergency numbers. Saying ‘Hey Siri, call 911’ or ‘Hey Google, call 911’ will instantly connect you to emergency services. Find nearby hospitals: If you need to quickly find a nearby hospital, your voice assistant can help Ask, ‘Hey Siri, where’s the nearest hospital?’ or ‘Hey Google, find hospitals near me’. Share your location: In an emergency, you can quickly share your location with someone. Both Siri and Google Assistant can help with this. Try saying, ‘Hey Siri, share my location [contact name],’ or ‘Hey Google, send my location [contact name]’.Medical ID: Siri can display your Medical ID, which contains critical health information. This can be especially useful for first responders. Say, ‘Hey Siri, show me my medical ID’. Scheduled check-ins: If you’re venturing out alone, you can use Siri or Google Assistant to send a check-in message to a contact at a specific time. For example, ‘Hey Siri, send a message [contact name] At 6pm it says, “Just check in”‘.