Routines let users issue a single command to perform multiple actions, such as changing the temperature, controlling the lights and playing music or a podcast. Scheduled routinesĪt long last, both Google and Amazon rolled out routines for their respective smart speakers. Then a single LED indicator on the top will remain lit for 10 minutes. When the reminder goes off, Google Home will play a chime. The closest thing to a notification is how the recently added reminders work. When notifications will be officially added to Google Home is still unknown. These notifications are called Proactive Assistance and will alert you of reminders, status changes for upcoming flights, unusual traffic for your commute and more. However, notifications were one of the upcoming features announced for Google Home at Google I/O in May 2017. As of right now, notifications are not possible on the Google Home, unless you consider this workaround. You can also wake Google Home by saying, "Okie dokie, Google." NotificationsĪmazon recently rolled out notifications for Alexa speakers, which will alert users of missed calls and messages and, for now, delivery status updates for items ordered from Amazon. Even if it's not any more natural or shorter to say, my Yogi Bear impression is really coming along. I found that "Hey, boo boo" also works as a wake word, likely by coincidence. But it doesn't make it any more natural to speak. Yes, I'm used to saying "OK, Google," but only because Google has forced me to use that phrase since the introduction of Google Now. And each of Google Home's induction phrases are three- or four-syllable phrases that aren't exactly very natural to say: There is also no way to set custom wake phrases. I could think of at least a dozen reasons why Google Home actions would be useful, such as playing music when I get home or telling me when my Egg Minder has fewer than three eggs. However, there are no actions for the Google Home channel, meaning you can only use the speaker for the trigger part of Applets. The IFTTT Applets you can make with Google Assistant are far more in-depth and customizable than those for the Amazon Alexa channel. It connects it to devices and services that aren't natively supported, like Lifx bulbs or the Ecobee thermostat. Much like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant has a channel on the IFTTT online connection service that greatly extends what the smart speaker can do. Yet, if you say, "OK, Google, add a new note," it responds with "Sorry, I can't take notes yet."Ī workaround to this that has been hit or miss in our experience is to create an IFTTT applet that will let you create a note in Evernote, OneNote or Google Drive. The functionality is there and it seems like note-taking wouldn't be very difficult for Google to implement. This is odd, considering Google has integrated its "Keep shopping list" app with Assistant. Likewise, you can't create notes or memos with the Google Home either. Still a shortcoming of the Alexa speakers is the inability to make notes using dictation or store voice memos. But for some reason, you can't get any package tracking information yet. Google Assistant, the brains behind the Google Home speaker, can provide you with upcoming flight information. Since launch, Google has added shopping with Google Home, sending Netflix shows to Chromecast using your voice, Logitech Harmony support, multi-user support, voice calling, reminders, Bluetooth, sleep timer, sending directions to your phone, the ability to string two commands together and music alarms.ĭespite the new ability to shop with the Google Home or the fact that Google Now has had the ability to cherry-pick tracking numbers and travel info from your email for years now, you cannot track packages with the Google Home. 24, 2016, this is regularly updated to include new information and remove features from the list that have been added to Google Home's capabilities. Here are 10 things the Google Home could add that would catch it up.Įditors' note: Originally published Nov. If Google ever wants to compete squarely with Amazon's smart speaker, it will have to add new features. The brains of Amazon's speakers, the virtual assistant Alexa, has been learning and developing for more than two years now, while Google's version, Assistant, is still quite new. While the Google Home ( $75 at Walmart) smart speaker can hold its own in many rights, when compared to the Echo, Echo Dot or Amazon Tap, it understandably falls short.
