General Google Now commands
• How old is …? • Where was … born? • Define … (Or “What does … mean?”) • What time is it in …? • Search for … [surfing tips] • Show me pictures of … • Do I need an umbrella today? What’s the weather like? What’s the weather in … [this weekend]? • What the … stock price? What is … trading at? • What’s [60 kilometres] in [miles]? What is [12 stone] in [kilograms]? • What’s [256] divided by [8]? • Search [YouTube] for [cat videos] (more apps are added regularly)
Device control commands
• Open [techadvisor.co.uk] • Take a picture (or “Take a photo”) • Record a video • Open [Deezer] • Turn on/off [Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Flashlight]
Productivity commands
• Top of Form • Bottom of Form • What’s the tip for [70 dollars]? • Set an alarm for … • Set a timer for … • Create a calendar event [Dinner with Chris, Saturday at 7pm.] • Remind me to … (or “Set a reminder”) • What is my schedule for tomorrow? (or What does my day look like [Friday]?) • Where’s my package? (tracking confirmation must be in Gmail) • Make a note: (also try “Note to self”) • Find … [phone number] (Works other contact – addresses, birthdays, etc.) • Show me my bills (or “My bills due this week”)
Communication commands
• Show me my last messages • Call … (also works with relationships: Call [sister]) • Call … on speakerphone • Text … (followed by message) • Send email to [Jim Martin], subject … , message … • Post to … [Twitter]: (followed by text) • What is French for …? • [Send a Hangout message] to … • Send a [Whatsapp] message to [Matt] (followed by message)
Navigation and travel commands
• Where is the nearest … [Italian restaurant]? • Navigate to … • Directions to … by [bike] (also try “Directions home” or “How do I get home?”) • Where is …? • Show me the menu for … • Call … • Show me my flight info • Where’s my hotel? • What are some attractions around here? • How do you say … in … ? • What is … [100 pounds] in … [dollars]? • What’s the flight status of … [VS8]? • Show me restaurants near my hotel
Entertainment commands
• Play … [solitaire] (also try tic-tac-toe) • Play some music (opens ‘I’m feeling lucky’ radio station in Google Play Music) • Next Song/Pause Song • Play … [Happy] (songs must be in Google Play Music on your device) • Watch [Inception] (movies and TV must be in your Google Play account) • What’s this song? • Listen to TV • What songs does … [Pharrell] sing? • Read … [Hunger Games] • Did the … [Giants] win today? What’s the score in the [Warriors] game? • What movies are playing … [tonight]? Where is … [Star Wars] playing?
Sports commands
• Say a team name to get the latest score during the season • When is the next … game? • Where are the … in the standings? • Who does … play for? • Who won … [the Superbowl]? • When is the … [Stanley Cup final]?
Google Now easter eggs
Many of these deliver funny voice responses, but normal search results so turn up your volume. • What sounds does a … make? • Flip a coin • Roll dice • What is the loneliest number? • Do a barrel roll! • Askew / Tilt • Go go Gadget [Spotify] • When am I? • Make me a sandwich • Sudo make me a sandwich • Who’s on first? • Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right • Tell me a joke • Who are you? • Beam me up, Scotty! • What is [Jennifer Lawrence’s] Bacon number? Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.