Get Wilde and re-Joyce on National Book Lovers day by going down the Plath less traveled with your Assistant. Stowe your books and get ready with these questions (we promise you’ll get Thoreau answers).

• Prepare your shelves: “Ok Google, add that new book about meditation to my shopping list.”
  
• There’s nothing like the smell of old books: Say “Ok Google, where’s the nearest library?” to your Assistant on Google Home. 
  
• Channel your inner Hemingway: Ask your Assistant on your phone to “take me to the closest café.”
  
• Learn a truth universally acknowledged about your favorite author: “Ok Google, tell me about Jane Austen.”
  
• Don’t forget your other reading glasses (to pair with your book): “Ok Google, talk to Wine Guide.”
  
• Set the scene: “Ok Google, set the reading room lights to 60% brightness”
  

So with that, we bid you adieu. Parting is such sweet sorrow...but happy National Book Lovers Day!

We’re in no to rush to get through summer, but it’s officially August and time to start thinking about going back to school! Here’s how your Assistant can help you get back into the school days groove:

• Brush up on history: “Ok Google, when was World War II?”
  
• Pop quiz: “Ok Google, play American Presidents Quiz”
• Plan your wardrobe: “Ok Google, when’s the first day of Fall?
• Dust off your French skills: “Ok Google, how do you say ‘how was your summer’ in French?”
• Keep track with your phone: “Ok Google, remember my locker combo is 6437”
• Be the first one in: “Ok Google, set my alarm for 7 a.m.” 
• Order supplies on Google Home: “Ok Google, order three notebooks”

Give me an A! Give me an S... and another S, plus an ISTANT.  What's that spell? Assistant! Go team!

This is nacho average weekend: both National Lasagna Day and National Cheesecake Day are here to fill the Swiss cheese-sized holes in your weekend plans.

If you don’t know how to celebrate these aged-old traditions, don’t be bleu. Your Assistant can serve up some cheesy tips:

• In queso you forget: "Ok Google, order lasagna noodles."
  
• Don't make me do it prov-alone: “Ok Google, let’s make lasagna” 
  
• Sweet treats are made of cheese: “Ok Google, what ingredients are in cheesecake?”
  
• Say cheese: “Ok Google, how do you say ‘cheesecake’ in Italian”?
  
• Cotija-ha-ha: “Ok Google, tell me a cheesy joke”
  
• It's all gouda (or not!): “Ok Google, what’s a good substitute for cheese?”
• Shred it on the dance floor (or kitchen floor): “Ok Google, play my cheesy goodness playlist.” 
  
• Let’s brie honest: “Ok Google, what’s your favorite kind of cheese?”
  
• Spread the love: “Ok Google, how do you make a cheese board?” 
  

Ready, set, asiago! ??

We’re gonna need a bigger boat.

I don’t know about you, but we’ve been hearing a lot about sharks this week. So grab your Assistant and let’s sink our teeth into summer—or at least learn some fun shark facts.

• Let’s start with the basics: “Ok Google, tell me a shark fact.”
  
• The more you know: “What’s the fastest shark?” And follow up with “how fast can it swim?” (That would be the shortfin mako shark at 60 MPH.)
• Don’t forget your show! Just say “Ok Google, remind me to tune into my favorite show on Sunday” to your Assistant on your phone. 
• Fish are friends … and sometimes food. To prepare for your watch party: say “Ok Google, add fish gummies to my shopping list.”
• Look for the real thing: “Ok Google, where’s the closest beach?”

Duuunnnn dunnnn. Duuunnnnn duunnn… well, you get the point. ?

P.S. In case you missed it, the Assistant on Google Home is now available in Australia—home to 180 shark species—saying G’Day to a whole new set of fins friends.

You can get a lot done in 24 hours. And with your Google Assistant—on your Google Home, eligible Android phones, iPhone, Google Allo and Android Wear—you can do even more. Here are 24 ways your Assistant can help you get more done this weekend:  

Your morning motivation

1. Snoozing is okay on the weekends, right? When your alarm goes off and you need just 10 more minutes, you can say, “Hey Google, snooze my alarm” to your Assistant on Google Home.

2.Now that you’re up, you can see what the day has in store: “Ok Google, tell me about my day” or “Ok Google, good morning” and you’ll hear a rundown of the weather, what’s on your calendar, your favorite news and more.

3. Next up, it’s time to get some fresh air. If you’re wearing your Android Wear device, say “Ok Google, start my run,” and it will track your run using Google Fit. You can also ask for your heart rate, step count and to pep up your routine with some music.

4. And when you’re back from your run, don’t forget to stretch: “Ok Google, set a timer for 30 seconds.”

5. Now you’re warmed up (and down) and ready for your day. First up—prep for your afternoon picnic. In your Google Allo chat with your picnic buddies, you can plan who’s making what, chat through important logistics (don’t forget the picnic blankets!) and even make a backup plan if all else fails (“Ok Google, lunch spots nearby?”).

Your baking buddy

6. The picnic plans are in place and you’re in charge of dessert. “Ok Google, let’s make chocolate chip cookies” will give you step-by-step baking instructions.

7.And don’t worry, your Assistant has your back if baking isn’t your thing. As you cook, you can ask for refreshers like, “Ok, Google, how much baking powder?” Even if you confuse ingredients, your Assistant can get you back on track by responding with “Did you mean baking soda?”

8. The best part? While you’re baking, your Assistant continues to help out. If you need some music inspiration, just say, “Ok Google, play my party prep playlist.” You can also ask for conversions: “Ok Google, how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?”

9. If the kitchen gets too warm while you’re baking, just ask your Assistant on Google Home: “Ok Google, turn down the thermostat to 65.”

10. The cookies are almost done, so it’s time to start cleaning up: “Ok Google, ask Roomba to start cleaning.”

Your on-the-go picnic pal

11. Now you’re finally ready to head out to the picnic. Ask your Assistant: “Ok Google, how long will it take to bike to Prospect Park?”

12. As you get your bike ready to go, ask your Assistant on your phone to “Text Thomas that I’ll be there in 20 minutes."

13. You’ve made it to the park and can’t remember your bike lock combo. Just say “Ok Google, remember my bike combo is 1430.” Next time you need it, just say “What’s my bike combo?”

14. After all that baking, biking and hanging out in the park, it’s time to relax. Before you head out from the park, just say: “Ok Google, change the lights to turquoise.” And when you step in your house your Phillips Hue lights will be ready to greet you.

15. You can also set a shortcut with your Assistant (in your Google Home app or Assistant settings), so every time you say “Ok Google, honey, I’m home” your lights turn to whatever color feels right! And you can do this for any action—from turning on the lights to playing your favorite music.

Your sit back and relax sidekick

16. The mood is set, now with your Chromecast set up, you can ask your Assistant to play your favorite TV show and start watching right where you left off.

17. Your Assistant on Google Home makes it easy to binge watch and ask questions while you’re watching. If you’re wondering about about a character or actor on the screen, you can pause your show—“Ok Google, pause”—and then ask away.

18. You can also ask follow up questions without having to repeat yourself. Interested in learning more about about the actor? You can ask how old they are, who they’re married to, and more!  

Your nighttime nightingale

19. After a long day, what’s better than a hot shower? Nothing … unless you run out of shampoo when you step in. After you dry off, say to your Google Home, “Ok Google, add shampoo to my shopping list.”

20. You can also buy shampoo with your Assistant and Google Express. Just say “Ok Google, buy shampoo” to your Assistant on Google Home. 

21. To prepare for the day ahead, just ask “Ok Google, do I need an umbrella tomorrow?” and you’ll be ready to lay out your outfit and head to bed.

22. If you a nighttime lullaby helps you fall asleep, ask “Ok Google, sing me a song” as you head to bed. 

23. If you'd rather meditate than listen to the dulcet tones of your Assistant, say “Ok Google, talk to Headspace.”  

24. Now that your mind and body are calm, you have to make sure you’ll actually wake up on time tomorrow: “Ok Google, set my alarm for 8 am.” And with another handy shortcut, to turn off your lights you can just say “Ok Google, goodnight.”

Fourth of July is just a few days away. From fireworks to BBQs, here’s how your Assistant can help you get the most out of the holiday weekend:

• Let’s start with the facts. Ask your Assistant on Google Home “Why do we celebrate the fourth of July?”
  
• Get in the summertime spirit. Ask your Assistant on phones “What should I do this summer?”
  
• When you’re ready to fire up the grill, ask your Assistant on Google Home to “Add charcoal to my shopping list” or “Find me a burger recipe.”
  
• When you’re planning your firework fun, ask your Assistant on phones “What’s the weather on Tuesday?”
  
• And if the sound of fireworks is a bit too loud for you (or your pets), you can ask your Assistant on Google Home to “Play white noise.”

Whether you celebrate with fireworks at a park, a local parade or watching TV with your favorite people, your Assistant can help you make the most out of your fourth of July!

Ommmmmm, it's International Yoga Day. While your Assistant might not be able to do an Eagle Pose, it can help you relax, learn about yoga poses and be the calming presence you’ve been looking for.

• If you’re an aspiring yogi, the first step is getting on the mat. Ask your Assistant on Google Home to “Add yoga mat to my shopping list.” 
• Once you've got your mat, you can ask your Assistant on phones, “What’s a downward-facing dog pose?” or ““Show me videos of a downward-facing dog pose.”
• Looking to set the mood? Ask your Assistant on Google Home to “Turn the temperature to 80 degrees,” or “Dim the lights,” when you’re ready for Savasana. 
• Interested in learning about the history of yoga? Ask your Assistant on Google Home “How did yoga start?” or “What does yoga mean?”
• Or maybe you want to meet other like-minded yogis: Ask your Assistant on phones to “Find yoga classes near me.”

For the love of yoga and whatever else makes you happy, go out there and find your zen! Namaste.

Ommmmmm, it's International Yoga Day. While your Assistant might not be able to do an Eagle Pose, it can help you relax, learn about yoga poses and be the calming presence you’ve been looking for.

• If you’re an aspiring yogi, the first step is getting on the mat. Ask your Assistant on Google Home to “Add yoga mat to my shopping list.” 
• Once you've got your mat, you can ask your Assistant on phones, “What’s a downward-facing dog pose?” or ““Show me videos of a downward-facing dog pose.”
• Looking to set the mood? Ask your Assistant on Google Home to “Turn the temperature to 80 degrees,” or “Dim the lights,” when you’re ready for Savasana. 
• Interested in learning about the history of yoga? Ask your Assistant on Google Home “How did yoga start?” or “What does yoga mean?”
• Or maybe you want to meet other like-minded yogis: Ask your Assistant on phones to “Find yoga classes near me.”

For the love of yoga and whatever else makes you happy, go out there and find your zen! Namaste.

This Sunday is Father’s Day—a day to surprise and spoil our favorite dads. With a little help from your friendly Assistant, you can plan the perfect day, share some stories and more.

• One up your dad with your own dad jokes. Just ask your Assistant on phones to “tell me a joke.” You can even ask to “talk to Best Dad Jokes” to hear more!
  
• Start a chat with your siblings in Google Allo and ask the Assistant for help planning the day, whether it’s finding  “best golf courses nearby” or “current movies in the theater.” 
  
• Bust out old photos of your dad (perhaps he went through a bell bottoms and perm phase?) by asking your Assistant on phones to “show me photos of Dad.”
  
• Get inspired by stories about dads from dads. Ask your Assistant on Android phones for “stories about fatherhood” to hear dads tell their tales at StoryCorps.
  
• Most importantly, don’t forget! Tell your Assistant on your phone to “remind me to call dad on Sunday.” 
  

Happy Father’s Day!

This Sunday is Father’s Day—a day to surprise and spoil our favorite dads. With a little help from your friendly Assistant, you can plan the perfect day, share some stories and more.

• One up your dad with your own dad jokes. Just ask your Assistant on phones to “tell me a joke.” You can even ask to “talk to Best Dad Jokes” to hear more!
  
• Start a chat with your siblings in Google Allo and ask the Assistant for help planning the day, whether it’s finding  “best golf courses nearby” or “current movies in the theater.” 
  
• Bust out old photos of your dad (perhaps he went through a bell bottoms and perm phase?) by asking your Assistant on phones to “show me photos of Dad.”
  
• Get inspired by stories about dads from dads. Ask your Assistant on Android phones for “stories about fatherhood” to hear dads tell their tales at StoryCorps.
  
• Most importantly, don’t forget! Tell your Assistant on your phone to “remind me to call dad on Sunday.” 
  

Happy Father’s Day!