[News]Google Now adds nine new voice commands for Android users

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2015-12-28 14:51

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Imagine this scenario. Your lights go out and you can't see. In one hand you are holding your Android handset, while the other hand is holding on to a bag of groceries. But all is not lost. You say, "OK Google, turn on the flashlight" and all off a sudden there is a light coming from your phone. You can thank Google for helping you guide your way in the dark.


Google has added nine new voice commands to the Android version of the Google Now app. The flashlight command is but one of them. You can now turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on or off by simply saying "Turn Wi-Fi (Bluetooth) on" or "Turn Wi-Fi (Bluetooth) off." After both of those commands, your phone will take you to a shortcut where you can turn on or off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth by using a toggle switch.


Another new voice command, "Read my messages," will result in your last five SMS messages showing up on the screen. Google will then ask if you want the five read out loud. If you want an app opened, tell Google to "Open (the name of the app)." This works on Twitter, Facebook and some other big name apps. You can also ask Google to open some websites. We were able to call up our site in this manner.


Telling Google to "Open camera" will get your snapper ready, while "Record video" will open the camera in video mode, ready to go. If you're in the mood to hear some tunes, ask Google to "Play music" and you will be sent to the "I'm feeling lucky" radio option from Google Play Music. Making a call or sending a text to one of your contacts can be accomplished the same way. You can also set your alarm (tell Google to "set an alarm for..."). If you ask Google to change the brightness or volume on your phone, you are sent to the page inside your handset's Settings application that deals with the display or sound.


Remember these new features and you might find that asking Google to do the "heavy lifting" makes your life easier.