Author Archives: Kara Stockton

The Google Assistant gets dressed up for the Oscars

oscars

Today marks the 90th Oscars® and while the Google Assistant might not be 90 years wise just yet, it can help you keep up with the Oscars* — and the best movies — before, during and after the show.

First up, let’s cover the basics “Hey Google, when are the Oscars?” and then you can set a reminder with the Assistant on your phone or speaker like Google Home.

Next, it’s never a bad idea to do some research. Just ask the Assistant: “Hey Google, who’s nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars?” and if you haven’t seen the movie, you can follow up with the Assistant on your phone or TV: “Show me the trailer for … [insert your favorite nominee]."

Who doesn’t love a good game? Prepare your Oscars bingo board: “Hey Google, who’s nominated for Best Actress?" Or get into the prediction game by saying “Hey Google, who’s going to win Best Picture?”

And, if you happen to miss a few moments of the big show, just say “Hey Google, who won the Oscar for Best Actor?”

From preparing you for an Oscars movie marathon with friends — “Hey Google, who stars in [insert favorite nominated movie here?!]" — to enjoying the big night,  “Hey Google, turn down the lights,” the Google Assistant is here to help you do more.


*All Google Assistant Oscars queries are available in US-English only

With love, from your Google Assistant

balloons

No matter how you like to spend your Valentine’s Day—with romantic gestures or like any other Wednesday—the Google Assistant is here to help you celebrate and have some fun. Just say …

  • Hey Google, serenade me
  • Hey Google, will you be my Valentine?
  • Hey Google, tell me a love story
  • Hey Google, I’m single
  • Hey Google, I hate Valentine's Day

So happy Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day or Wednesday to you and yours!

Go up, up and away with your Google Assistant

With holiday travel coming up, and 2018 just around the corner, you may be already thinking about getaways for next year. Consider the Google Assistant your new travel buddy, ready at the drop of a hat—or a passport.

So when you’re ready for your next big adventure, here are some things to ask your Google Assistant on your eligible Android phone, iPhone or your voice activated speaker, like Google Home.

travel

  • Plan your adventure: “Ok Google, what are some things to do in Cabo?” 
  • Get expert travel advice: “Ok Google, talk to Lonely Planet”
  • Remember the essentials: “Ok Google, add travel shampoo to my shopping list”
  • Pack with ease: “Ok Google, what’s the weather in Cabo next week?”
  • Don’t miss a beat: “Ok Google, is my flight on time?”
  • ...Or your flight: “Ok Google, remind me to leave at 10 a.m. tomorrow”

What are you waiting for? Get your Assistant, your bags and start planning. Happy travels.

7 ways the Assistant can help you get ready for Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and, as always, your Google Assistant is ready to help. So while the turkey cooks and the family gathers, here are some questions to ask your Assistant. 

thanksgiving

  • Show up to dinner on time: “Ok Google, how’s traffic?”
  • Prepare accordingly: “Ok Google, set a turkey timer for 4 hours.”
  • And don’t forget dessert: “Ok Google, add apple pie and pumpkin pie to my shopping list”
  • Play a game while you wait for turkey: “Ok Google, play Thanksgiving Mad Libs” 
  • Hear a funny tale: “Ok Google, tell me a turkey story” 
  • Learn something new: “Ok Google, give me a fun fact about Thanksgiving”
  • When Thanksgiving’s over, get ready for the next occasion:  “Ok Google, play holiday music” 

Happy Thanksgiving ?

Get moving with some help from your Google Assistant

From caramel apples to pumpkin pie, fall is all about delicious food. But if you’re the hunt for some balance from all of your favorite holiday treats, look no further than your Google Assistant—the walking, biking and “get moving” buddy you’ve been waiting for.


So grab your sneakers and sweatband and say “Ok Google,”

fall

  • Remind me to take a walk at 5 PM everyday
  • Show me pilates studios nearby
  • What’s the closest park?
  • ….show me directions to bike there. 
  • Play my fall favorites playlist
  • Set a “cool down” timer for 3 minutes (so you can stretch after that bike ride, of course)

Ok Google, let’s get spooky

It’s Friday the 13th and just a couple weeks ‘til Halloween. Whether you’d prefer to hand out candy, dress like a pirate or scare yourself silly, your Google Assistant can help you get in the spooky spirit:

halloween

? "Ok Google, what should I be for Halloween?"

? “Ok Google, get directions to the nearest pumpkin patch”

? "Ok Google, how do I get rid of monsters?"

? “Ok Google, add Halloween candy to my shopping list”

? “Ok Google, scare me” 

? ”Ok Google, let's get spooky” (this one sets the Halloween vibe, with spooky music and flickering smart lights)

May all your Halloween dreams—or nightmares—come true. Happy (almost) Halloween!

Tackle football season with your Assistant by your side

Football season is officially underway and your Google Assistant is ready to help you keep up with your favorite teams. With your Assistant on your phone or Google Home, start with “Ok Google” and...

football
  1. Stock up on the essentials by asking your Assistant to “Add chips and dip to my shopping list”
  2. Ask your Assistant about the competition: “Who does [insert your ? team] play on Sunday?”
  3. Prepare for the game: “What’s the weather in Chicago going to be like today?”
  4. Double check the game date: “When does [insert your ? team] play again?” 
  5. Get to know your Assistant by asking “Who’s your favorite football team?”

Ready, set, hut.

Five ways to co-host a dinner party with your Assistant

Now that the temperatures have dropped and fall is moving in, it’s time to bring the party inside.

Let your Assistant be the perfect co-host for your next dinner party—here are a few ways your Assistant can help prepare:

  1. Take advantage of seasonal produce: “Ok Google, find a recipe for sweet potato fries.”
  2. Prepare for a feast: “Set a potato timer for 45 minutes” and “set a pie timer for 1 hour”
  3. Make an entrance: “Play my ‘girls night’ playlist”
  4. Set the mood: “Change the living room lights to coral”
  5. Have some fun: “Play Lucky Trivia”

Last step—enjoy!

7 Ways your Assistant can help with your last minute vacation

Summer may be winding down, but it's not over just yet. If you have time to squeeze in one last summer vacation before the leaves change, let your Assistant be, well, your Assistant and help you plan your last minute trip.

Let’s say you decide to head to Vancouver. Here are a few questions you can ask your Assistant:

spain

  1. Do your research. “Ok Google, what’s the weather in Vancouver?”
  2. Schedule your flight. “Ok Google, show me flights to Vancouver on Saturday”
  3. Road tripping instead? “Ok Google, play my summer 2017 playlist.”
  4. Pick your adventure. “Ok Google, what should I do in Vancouver?”
  5. Eat, drink and be merry. “Ok Google, what are the best restaurants in Vancouver.”
  6. Camping? “Ok Google, show me places to camp near Vancouver.”
  7. And if you can’t have one last summer getaway, you can always reminisce … “Ok Google, show my photos from Spain in August.”

So go out there and enjoy a last hurrah for the summer.

“Ok Google, tell me a joke”

What did one snowman say to the other?

Do you smell carrots?

jokes

It’s National Joke Day, and your cheesy, mostly funny Assistant has a few jokes up its sleeve. Here are a couple of our favorites:

  • You: “Ok Google, tell me a joke.”
  • Google Assistant: “One joke, coming up! What is a sea monster’s favorite snack? Ships and dip.” ?

Not your speed? What about…

  • You: “Ok Google, tell me a joke.”
  • Google Assistant: “This might make you laugh. How do robots eat guacamole? With computer chips.”

So head outside—“Ok Google, comedy shows nearby”—or take a seat—“Ok Google, tell me a joke”—and cue the laugh track.