Google Assistant is an integral part of the Android operating system. It makes performing all sorts of actions within Google’s mobile OS a smoother process.
Now, Google is making Assistant even more powerful by allowing it to work with all sorts of third-party Android apps. Google announced the change to Assistant on The Keyword, and it should make using an Android device far more enjoyable.
You won’t even need to put your hand on your phone to perform all sorts of actions, which is a great way to save time and stay safe.
Using Google Assistant With Android Apps
Google revealed all sorts of new ways to use Google Assistant with various third-party applications. The company gave examples such as saying, “Hey Google, search cozy blankets on Etsy” or “Hey Google, open Selena Gomez on Snapchat.” You could also say, “Hey Google, find Motivation Mix on Spotify” or “Hey Google, check the news on Twitter.”
Google also mentioned examples like playing music, starting a run, posting on social media, ordering food, paying back a friend, or hailing a ride. If there’s a popular app you use on Android, there’s probably a creative way you can use Google Assistant with it.
One particularly interesting use case mentioned by Google comes to those who have the Nike Adepts. With them, you can even say, “Hey Google, tighten my shoes with Nike Adapt” to tie your shoes.
Outside of the primary commands, Google has made it so you can create custom commands. With the Nike Adept example above, you could say, “Hey Google, lace it” to have your shoes tied instead of the longer command. Google Assistant will suggest shortcuts to use, but you can also get crazy creating your own.
The endgame here seems to be making it so you can use your Android phone without actually needing to touch it. When you can’t use your hands (or even look at the phone), the ability to speak to it is a great feature to have.
Which Apps Work With Google Assistant?
In total, Google Assistant will support 30 of the top apps on Google Play available in English globally. Areas that don’t speak English can’t take advantage of these changes for now, but that could shift down the road.
Google is also encouraging other developers to integrate Assistant into its apps, so we could see wider adaptation soon.
There’s really no reason for developers to avoid supporting Assistant, as it just improves their apps’ functionality.
