Developers software for Android, over time they increasingly surprise users, offering new features that make working with their devices easier.
Android users now have voice control
Okay, Google is one of the latest developments, designed for Android devices version 4.1. Unfortunately, outdated gadgets may not allow you to install this feature. For this reason, if you want to upgrade something on your Android, you should first study it technical capabilities, and then get information on how to enable OK, Google on Android.
Okay, Google is a wonderful voice search service that recently became available to Russian-speaking users. It is gaining widespread popularity at an extremely fast pace because all actions can be performed only through voice commands. There is no need to turn on anything additional or use the on-screen keyboard. Even the launch of the function itself is carried out automatically - just say out loud “Okay, Google”.
Such a wonderful service will be available to those who are not lazy and initially install Okay, Google on Android, and then try to enable it themselves, relying on the recommendations of those who have already managed to successfully go this route.
How to install
The installation process for the voice function is similar to that which is carried out when connecting the service to other devices, although there are still small distinctive features, which the user must pay attention to.
Initially on Android you need to run Play Market, V search bar you should enter the treasured phrase “Google search”. Once completed, you can easily find a prompt to install the desired application.
By clicking on this line, the user will be redirected to the download page. Now all that remains is to follow all the suggestions that are on this page, as a result of which you will be able to successfully install the desired service.
After successful installation, everyone wants to quickly figure out how to use Okay, Google. However, in most cases, inexperienced users are disappointed at this stage.
Setting up OK Google
Frustration does not arise out of nowhere, but due to the fact that the user cannot figure out how Okay, Google works. Unfortunately, those who do not have natural patience very often refuse such an idea, deciding that their device simply does not support such a modern service. In fact, this is nothing more than an ordinary misconception. To take advantage of the capabilities of this wonderful service and get what delighted users talk about so much, you first need to familiarize yourself with the information on how to set up OK Google on Android.
How to configure
To activate a search based on user-voiced commands, you need to go to service menu, find “Settings”, click on it, go to Google, and then to accounts, where it will already appear context menu with the line "Search".
Clicking on it opens new page, where the service settings are listed OK, Google, among them you should find the line “ Voice search", after clicking you need to go to new line“Recognition Okay, Google.” Now a new page opens in front of the user, on which it is proposed to enable the “From Google apps" By agreeing to this offer, the voice service function is activated and you can immediately start using it.
The capabilities of this voice service are increasingly impressive to those who are trying to deeply understand the essence of its operation. However, it is important to understand that voice search will be launched only if it is launched directly on Android Google search.
In order to expand functionality, allowing the user to perform voice search directly from the home screen requires a few more steps. In particular, the developers suggest installing an additional launcher called “Google Start”.
Also, very often this feature can be activated in the settings by activating the “All included” or “From all applications” items.
Sometimes, after successfully installing the service, it still does not function, then you should explore all the options in the settings. Perhaps something was installed incorrectly, then you should either reinstall it again or make adjustments to manual mode. In some cases, you can simply re-record the voice sample - and then the problem will immediately be eliminated.
Just a few years ago, voice control was something fantastic for many users. Movies and books have been using voice control for a long time, but in real life developers haven't been able to get anything worthwhile. But still, after a couple of years, voice control began to be used by millions of users from all over the world and now everyone supports it modern smartphones and Android tablets. As you know, it was Google that introduced into its smartphones the ability to control devices using voice; you can not only type texts, but also make calls, send messages and play music. What else can be done with voice control and whether it is necessary, read in today’s article.
Group I– the ability to control the functions of the device itself. Do you want to set an alarm, but without pressing the display even once? To do this, you just need to say the phrase “Wake me up at such and such a time.” Want to listen to music? You can say “Play playlist.” This also includes dialing functions, information about messages, calls, and more.
Group II– commands aimed at searching for any information. To get the result you need, you just need to connect to the Internet, after which, using a voice request, you can find out the weather outside, view the score of a match played, find the words of a song or find out who Ernest Hemingway is.
True, there are still some limitations that the developers are trying to correct. For example, you can find out the films that are shown in Moscow cinemas, since the city is large and this information is considered in demand, and if you want to do the same thing, but with a smaller city, you may end up with a lack of information, which, of course, is sad.
It is noteworthy that some systems voice control capable of supporting text input, both regular and thanks to translators. However, you should understand that it will be difficult to recognize a long sentence and you can end up with a real “mess of words,” so try to pronounce them by breaking them down into short phrases. The situation is exactly the same with commands, but in most cases they are short.
10 Voice Control Features for Google Now:
- Setting reminders, for example: “Remind me to call Alexander on Monday.”
- Creating events in the calendar, for example: “Calendar, watch the match of your favorite team at 21-30.”
- Open required applications, for example: “Open Google Keep.”
- Dial the number of a specific subscriber by name or degree of relationship, for example: “Call Alexander” or “Call your sister.”
- Play movies and music purchased from Google Play, for example: “Watch The Hobbit” or listen to “Bitter Mist.”
- Find out the route from the place where you are now to the final destination, for example: “Routes, Vladimir, Bolshaya Moskovskaya, 13.”
- Find out the city in which certain attractions are located, for example: “Where is the Golden Gate.”
- Find out the weather in the city, for example: “Weather in Vladimir on Saturday.”
- Find out the meaning of words, for example: “What is “genetics””?
- Search for photographs of places, attractions, etc. that interest you, for example: “Photos of Old Trafford.”
First of all, you don't have to do anything with your hands. If people who don’t want to click on small application icons and go somewhere to launch, for example, a calendar, while others are driving and, to protect themselves, type a message using their voice.
Secondly, some people want to talk always and everywhere, a smartphone can become an excellent conversationalist, although more like an encyclopedia, but still, it is not a cat or a dog that will be happy with you and nothing more.
Thirdly, there are situations when the smartphone function needs to be turned on from a distance. For example, you can take a photo by turning on the front camera and take a photo of yourself. Or (if you have a tripod) install the smartphone on the tripod, start the camera and just give it voice command. There is nothing complicated, and the photo is of high quality.
Back in 2011, the Siri voice assistant was integrated into the iOS operating system, which marks the beginning of the use of this assistant in the iPhone 4S and subsequent generations of smartphones. This technology There is room for improvement, in particular, Apple still has not taught Siri to respond normally and understand the Russian language, but the function is in demand and is constantly being developed by adding something new.
Previously, everyone thought that Siri would come with Android devices, but once Apple acquired this technology, all plans remained just plans.
Nowadays, voice control is actively used not only among young people, but also among wealthy adults, and this is facilitated by a huge set of applications that allow you to give commands to your device using your voice.
Smartphones with pre-installed Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system have a built-in service Google Now– an assistant who can do all of the above. In fairness, it is worth noting that the program does all actions taking into account your current location, history search queries, application launches, etc. actions, which allows the assistant to learn. To take any action, you just need to turn on the Internet, launch Google Now and say the phrase “Okay, Google” or simply click on the microphone icon next to the search bar.
It is noteworthy that Google Now received the Russian language only at the end of 2013, so now you can ask questions and commands in our native language without any problems. Once again I will repeat with the help this application you can: call the desired subscriber, write SMS messages, set reminders, alarms, launch programs (games), take photos, find out any information, get directions and much more.
Applications with similar functionality huge amount, but they were forgotten exactly at the moment when Google Now began to understand the Russian language. In any case, you can install any voice application, for example, Assistant, and check its functionality by comparing it with Google Now; moreover, most programs work with Android OS versions below 4.1.
Ok, Google is a search service that uses voice commands to search for necessary information, plots a route, reminds you of events and activities, and much more. Users of mobile gadgets in the operating room Android system have been appreciated for a long time convenient assistant in different matters. If you like this non-standard service, you can use it not only on a smartphone or tablet, but also on a personal computer. Moreover, voice search is enabled quickly and easily.
The “OK Google” command does not need to be specifically downloaded and installed on a laptop or computer. All that is needed to use the function is Chrome browser from Google. And we will tell you how to connect voice search in a matter of minutes.
Open your browser and go to “Settings” by clicking on the corresponding icon in the upper right corner. You will see a "Search" section. Find the “OK Google” option and check the box. This way you will enable voice search using the command “OK Google”. And to disable voice assistant you need to uncheck the box accordingly. If you don’t see the option to “enable voice search by command,” then your browser version is already out of date. Information about Chrome can be obtained by selecting the special item “About the browser”, which you will find in “Settings”. You don't need to do anything else: the browser itself will update to the latest version.
After updating and connecting, voice search worked. But you won't be able to use it without a working microphone and an active Internet connection. The microphone is usually preset to operating systems Microsoft as a recording device.
A characteristic feature of voice search on personal computers is its limited use. This means that the command only works on the page or Google search results, as well as on a new tab. If you say “Ok Google” on any other page, the command will not work.
Command examples
“Okay, Google” is improving every day. If earlier many Russian-language commands were not perceived by the assistant, now you can find almost everything. Huge changes have occurred since the appearance of the function. And now many users, especially Android devices , they actively use the function in various areas of life. You can ask any question to the voice assistant. different languages peace. In this case, you do not have to configure any additional parameters.The use of “OK, Google” on mobile gadgets with the Android platform, of course, is much wider. Using the voice assistant, you can even send SMS messages, launch programs, remind about important calendar dates and events, not to mention search for all kinds of information, planning a route, etc. There are fewer commands for personal computers, but they are still there. So, what can you find out or do using Google’s voice service:
- Find out the time at any time locality globe. If you do not specify a location in your request, the service will indicate the current time.
- Find out the weather anywhere in the world.
- Get directions from A to B.
- Find photos and descriptions for them, find videos and descriptions for them.
- Find any information from a search service.
- Find a person, product, object, etc. by name or title.
- Find out exchange rates and convert, for example, rubles into dollars.
- Find and go to any web resource, indicating only its name.
Using Google search is as easy as shelling pears, including on personal computers. If you have enabled the function, checked the functionality of the microphone and the Internet connection, say the phrase “OK Google” and ask your question. This command will launch a voice search and you will instantly see the result on the screen.
As you can see, everything is simple. Now turn on the command search and ask your questions.
OK, Google, is there life on Mars?
Google Corporation began its activities as a search engine, and at the moment searching for information using mobile devices remains one of the main areas of development. With each update of the phone/tablet system, Google Play Services and individual programs, more and more new functions appear to make life easier for the user.
In this article, I'll talk about the most useful voice commands, Now on Tap contextual search, and also show you how to set up your phone to perform any voice commands, including using Tasker. After all, this is exactly what we dreamed about when reading the works of science fiction writers in childhood.
Traditionally, all the latest developments from the “good corporation” are implemented on Nexus line devices. This was the case with voice control and with Google Now, a system for presenting information in the form of a set of cards. One application is responsible for Google Now, simple Google search and voice search, this is Google. It's included standard applications from Google and is available on any certified Android smartphone.
There are also several smartphones with advanced voice control functions that are activated even when the smartphone screen is turned off. For example, MOTO X contains a separate processor with very low power consumption, which only deals with background listens to all surrounding sounds for an object key phrase.
Previously, voice control was only activated by tapping the microphone icon while open program search (or to widgets on the desktop). Then came the Google Start launcher, which allowed you to execute voice commands directly from the desktop (using the phrase “Ok, Google”). Starting with Android 4.4, the same feature became available in other launchers, but only if the launcher explicitly supports this feature (almost all popular launchers do).
Voice control
A simple search for information is, of course, the most important Google function Now. Moreover, it is intelligent enough to understand the context, which means commands can be combined into chains. For example, if you say, “Okay Google, who is the president of Nicaragua?” the search will return the answer “Daniel Ortega.” And if you further ask “How old is he?”, then the answer will be “Seventy years old.” Google Now understands a lot of commands, here are ten of the most useful ones.
- Maps and navigation - “let's go/navigation #title streets #number Houses". Will launch Google Maps in navigator mode at the specified address. You can also indicate a city, store, organization, and so on.
- Calculator - “thirteen percent of five thousand.” Will display the answer and the form of the calculator in the search window. You can use your voice to dictate addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and the root of a number. You can also translate measures of weights, lengths, etc.
- Sending SMS/messages - “write an SMS to Oleg, text I’m driving, I’ll call you back later.” You can also send messages through WhatsApp, Viber and several other popular instant messengers. Using a simplified scheme, you can dictate “message #program #contact #text.” For example: " whatsapp message Oleg, I’m driving.” After this, you can also confirm the sending with your voice using the “send” command.
- Dialing a number - “call mom.” You can also dictate an arbitrary number that is not in the address book. When using the “call sister/brother” command, you can specify a number from your contacts (if written differently), then the next time the call will be made automatically.
- Reminders and alarms - “wake me up on Saturday at eight in the morning” or “remind me to turn off the stove in ten minutes.” You can also add events to Google Calendar. Events can be tied not only to time, but also to place. If you add “remind me to print the text at work,” then with geolocation enabled and specified address work (places on the map), a reminder on your phone will pop up automatically. The regular timer built into the Clock app is just as easy to start.
- Guess the melody - “what kind of song is this?” Will start recognizing the playing music.
- Music/video - “listen to (music) #group #song.” Launches the specified music in Play Music or a clip on YouTube. It works normally with Russian titles, but since it identifies English words and performers, sometimes incorrectly interpreting them for the Russian language, it does not always work.
- Photo/video - “take a photo / record a video.” Will launch the camera in the selected mode.
- Manage Settings - “turn off Wi-Fi”, “turn on the flashlight”.
- Notes - “note to yourself: test password for service one two three four.” Adds a note to Google Keep.
Now on Tap
The description of this service was given special attention at the presentation of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. And it was presented as one of the main features new firmware. But we received more or less normal functionality in Russia only in December. In the official Russian translation it is called context from Now.
How does this work?“When you launch context from Now, Google analyzes everything you see on the screen and searches for information based on that data,” is the official description from the support page.
What this means is that instead of highlighting and copying phrases of interest on the screen, then opening the search and pasting the phrase, you can simply press and hold the Home button. Google will then offer suggestions for the keyword phrases found. This could be pictures, videos, a proposal to open this place on maps, news. May offer to open the organization’s website or make a call, open a Facebook profile or look at a celebrity’s Twitter account, or add a note. If there are corresponding applications on the device, after tapping on the icon, the page will open immediately inside the application. When listening to music from different applications, you can call up with one click detailed information about artists, albums, YouTube videos and more.
Just like the desktop version of search, voice search has Easter eggs. I will give only a few commands, the rest you can find out at this link. Unfortunately, almost all of them only work on English and with an English interface or with only English selected in the settings.
"Do a barrel roll."
“Make me a sandwich!”
“Sudo make me a sandwich!”
"When am I?"
"Beam me up, Scotty!"
“Up up down down left right left right.”
"What does the fox say?"
Tasker
If, after everything you've read, you still don't have enough commands to make your fantasies come true, then, with a little time, you can configure Google Now to execute almost any command. To do this, we will first need Tasker and the AutoVoice plugin.
Using Tasker, you can perform many actions: launch applications, control sound, run scripts, control the screen, manipulate files, press buttons on the screen, manage media, do HTTP requests Get and Post and respond to them, manage advanced phone settings. And all this can be done by issuing voice commands. And with the help of many plugins, the functionality expands even further.
To get started, you need to enable the Google Now Integration item inside AutoVoice. In Tasker you need to create a separate profile for each team or group of teams. As usual, to create profiles, I recommend turning on English in Tasker settings. For the test profile, we will create a voice command to turn off the sound. To do this, create a new profile with parameters Event → Plugin → AutoVoice Recognized. Fill in the following fields:
- Command Filter - here we enter the necessary voice command, in our example: “turn off the sound.” If you click on the Speak Filter line, you can dictate the command.
- Exact Command - if you check the box, it will only work on the exact command, otherwise it can work on every single word or form of a word.
- Use Regex - use regular expressions. Allows you to configure recognition of several words in one profile. If in the first field you enter “(turn off|turn off) (sound|volume)” without quotes, then the profile will respond to the commands “mute sound”, “turn off volume”, “mute sound” and “turn off volume”.
For action we use Audio → Ringer Volume and Audio → Notification Volume. To control the response, you can add a pop-up notification via Alert → Flash and enter “Disabled” in the Text field.
The commands “turn off Wi-Fi” work immediately in Google Now, and “turn off the sound” prompts you to open the settings. And after intercepting the command through Tasker and executing it, it still remains on the current screen with the request. Therefore, we will additionally add to the actions App → Go Home. Well, to amuse your friends, in all profiles for voice control you can set the first action to Alert → Say and enter the phrase “I obey, master.” Then the phone will respond with voice in response to commands.
Using additional plugins, such as AutoRemote, you can control other Android devices. And if you install EventGhost on your computer, then with the help of numerous plugins you can do a lot of interesting things. One of the most useful applications there will be a smart home setup, but that’s a separate big story. Joao Dias, the developer of all Auto* plugins, also has an add-on for the computer, which allows you to integrate control mobile devices via voice Cortana assistant on desktop.
A few tricks
Tasker is hardcore. You can do amazing things, but to do this you need to master a lot of information, understand the variables, regular expressions and so on. For those who don't want to bother with Tasker, there are a large number of programs that use voice control capabilities, but have a clearer and more accessible interface and are easy to use. I'll stop at three.
1 Open Mic+ for Google Now
Allows you to change the key phrase from “Ok, Google” to any other. Unfortunately, after one of the service updates and a request from Google, it stopped working with Google Engine, leaving only PocketSphinx. In this regard, only English phrases are suitable for the key phrase, but previously it was possible to surprise those present by calling the phone “hey, you” or “listen to the command.”
However, the developer promises to fix everything in the next updates. Other functions include the launch of recognition by the proximity sensor (two waves of the hand) and by shaking the phone. Like MOTO X, it supports recognition when the screen is off, but, unfortunately, this greatly affects the battery, so it is relevant for a phone on charge or car media centers on Android with constant power. Works with a Bluetooth headset, has integration with Tasker, and can read text messages.
2 Commandr for Google Now
Another program from the developer Open Mic+. Integrates with Google Now and allows you to use an expanded set of commands. The list of supported ones includes the following: enable/disable wireless point access, pause/resume music, next/previous song, unread SMS/gmail (speaks them out), volume<х>, lock your phone, take a picture, take a selfie. You can also turn on the voice recorder, control the backlight, and auto-rotate the screen. With root, you can turn off/restart your phone, clear notifications, and enable Airplane mode. For supported functions, you can change the commands to your own. It also has integration with Tasker, allowing you to enable triggering for each task by the name Task. There is a module for Xposed that allows you to use Commandr with Android Wear.
3 Assistant Dusya
And finally, the baby Russian developers- Russian-speaking voice assistant Dusya, which combines all the advantages of the described applications and utilities. Like Tasker, Dusya allows you to create your own voice functions (they are called “scripts”), in a much more understandable and simpler form (there is help in Russian, video tutorials) and with more powerful functions for working with speech commands. In addition, it also has its own online catalog of ready-made scripts created by other users. At the time of writing there were about a hundred of them.
Just like Commandr, Dusya can integrate with Google Now, and also has many types of other contactless activations - by shaking, waving, using a headset, bringing it to the ear, and including its own activation phrase in Russian. And if you want to use the interface, then it is there, very simple, fast and functional. Among the functions there are 25 most frequently requested ones, there is even control of smart homes and home theaters.
Conclusion
Today, voice search functions in smartphones are very developed, and, as you can see, developers offer us not just a set of commands for searching for information, but a full-fledged smartphone control system, which, with some effort, can be integrated with a home computer and even smart home. So if you're more comfortable controlling it all with your voice, you've got everything you need to do so.
Many of those who use Android phones know that versions older than 4.1 introduced a feature that is a voice assistant similar to Apple's Siri. Personally, my acquaintance with Google Now happened quite recently, but it has already given me a lot of positive emotions, not only because of the useful functionality, but mostly because of the jokes in Okay Google.
Jokes on Okay Google
My introduction to the “Hey Google” assistant command was completely accidental, after I once received a push notification in which I was asked to update Google Now and use the assistant function. For the first hour, it was as if I wasn’t myself, walking from room to room and in every possible way coming up with various funny jokes for Ok Google.
Funny commands and funny answers Ok Google
Here I will give a list of the funniest and most unusual commands and questions, ok Google in my opinion, but I immediately warn you that most of them were originally created for the original language and it is not a fact that each of the listed commands will work as it should in the great Russian. But nevertheless, it’s worth a try; as a last resort, you can always get confused, as I did, and memorize the commands in English.
So let's get started:
- Tell me a joke (Tell me a joke);
- What is a rusty trombone? (What is a rusty trombone?);
- What does the Fox say? (What does the Fox say?);
- What's the loneliest number? (Which number is the loneliest?);
- Make me a sandwich (Make me a sandwich/sandwich);
- When am I? (When will I?);
- Instead of the standard call command “OK Google” (Okay Google), you can also use the commands “Hey Google” (Hey Google), “OK Computer” (Okay Computer);
- Who are you? (Who are you?);
- What is the nature of the universe? (How was the Universe created?);
- What is your favorite color? (What is your favorite color).
In order not to spoil your fun, I will not give a list of the virtual assistant’s exact answers to these commands and questions, check it yourself, I guarantee it will be very fun and exciting, tested personally on myself and my friends.
