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Never lose contact with your contacts
Sync your Android phone contacts with Google.
Open your Contacts app (it might also be called your People app).
Touch the menu icon (three dots in bottom right corner), and select "Accounts."
Select your Google Account, or sign in if you don't see it. Then, make sure the "Auto-sync app data" box is checked.
To access your contacts on your computer, sign in to your Google Account at contacts.google.com.
Make your phone's background something to stare at
Quickly change your phone's wallpaper.
Put your screen on lockdown
Secure your phone by setting a screen lock with a PIN, password or pattern.
Coordinating multiple schedules just got coordinated
View meeting times that work for all your guests with Google Calendar.
Go to calendar.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Click "Create" to create a new event, fill out event details, and invite guests.
Click "Find a time" to see everyone's calendar side by side (each guest must have shared their calendar with you in order for you to be able to see it).
A person can share their calendar by clicking the arrow next to their name, selecting "Share this Calendar," and entering the email of people they want to share with.
When you see a time that looks free for everyone, click it to update the meeting time. Then, click "Save," select "Send" if you'd like to send a meeting invite to your guests, and you're set.
Tell everyone you'll be late right from the meeting reminder
Quickly reply to everyone on the meeting or event invite with Google Calendar for mobile.
Open the calendar.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
If you use Google Calendar on your computer, your schedule should appear. Touch the menu icon (the three dots in the top right corner), and select "Settings" to set up or adjust your notifications.
Touch "General settings." Then, scroll down and make sure the box next to "Notifications" is checked.
Touch "Default reminder time" to choose how long before a meeting you want to be notified.
You'll now get a notification before your next meeting. Touch "Email guests" in the notification to send a quick note or a pre-set response to the rest of the group.
Forget the same page. Get everyone on the same calendar
Create a group calendar to coordinate everyone's schedules.
Click the arrow icon next to "My calendars" and select "Create new calendar." Name your calendar and fill in the location, description, and time zone.
Scroll down to "Share with specific people" and enter the email addresses of people you want to share with.
Choose how the person can use the calendar and click "Add Person." When you're done editing and adding people, click "Create calendar."
Your calendar invitation will now be sent straight to your guests, who will be able to see all future events you add to your new group calendar.
Share the family computer without family conflict
Keep everyone's stuff separate by setting up multiple user profiles on Chrome.
If you don't have it, download Chrome at chrome.google.com. Open Chrome and click the menu icon (the three bars in the upper right corner) to "Sign in to Chrome" using your Google Account.
Now, click the menu icon again and select "Settings."
Then, scroll down to "Users" and click "Add new user" for the person you're adding to Chrome. Choose their avatar and click "Create."
Have the new user sign in to his or her Google Account to allow their bookmarks, settings, and history to sync to their profile on this computer, and you're all set. Quickly switch between user profiles by clicking "Users" in your computer toolbar.
Keep your most important documents right in your pocket
Keep your most important documents right in your pocket.
Go to drive.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Click "NEW," and select "Upload files" or "Upload folders"
Select the files or folders you would like to save in your Google Drive and click "Open." View the files you saved while on the go by downloading the Google Drive app and signing in with your Google Account.
Unsend that email with the extremely unfortunate typo
Everyone needs to take back an email sometimes. Gmail gives you 10 seconds to do just that.
Attach files big and small
Send files up to 15GB through Gmail with one click.
Open the Gmail app and sign in to your Google Account.
Touch the pencil icon to begin composing your message.
Then, touch the paperclip icon.
Once the drop down opens, tap “Attach file” and don't forget to press send when you are ready!
Find out when you have new email from within Chrome
Stay signed in to your Google Account on Gmail and get notified when you get new emails.
Go to mail.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Click the "Settings" icon (the gear in the upper right corner) and select "Settings."
Scroll down to "Desktop Notifications," and select "New mail notifications on."
Then, click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page.
Now, when you keep Gmail open while you browse, you'll get notified when you receive new emails.
Slap a new coat of paint on your inbox
Customize your Gmail inbox with different themes and colors, or upload your own photo.
Get the family together, no matter where they are
Use Hangouts to get up to 9 far-flung friends or family members together, at once, for free.
Check "keep track of my to-do list" off your to-do list
Quickly jot down your notes or homework with Google Keep on Android and access it on any device.
Forget having to remember your friends' addresses
Save your family or friend's address into Google Maps and quickly pull them up by typing in their name.
Go to contacts.google.com and sign in to your Google Account. Then, click "NEW CONTACT" or click an existing contact's name to modify it.
Fill out the address and other information for your contact.
That's it! Go to maps.google.com and type in your contact's name to pull up their address.
Give your friends a sense of direction
Share anything you pull up on Google Maps, from walking directions or the location of a restaurant, with one click.
Go to maps.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Type the address you would like to share in the search bar. Then, touch the address as it appears at the bottom of your screen.
Touch the "Share" icon. Then, tap the Google+ icon.
Type in your friends' names or the name of one of your Google+ Circles, and touch the send icon (the arrow in the bottom right corner). Just like that, your friends will get an link to the map in a Google+ notification.
Have your laptop send directions to your phone
When you're signed in, Google Maps syncs searches across all your devices, making it easy to find what you're looking for on any device.
Type a place or address into the search bar.
Now, from your phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app.
Touch the menu icon (the three bars on the lower left), select "Settings," and sign in to your Google Account.
Then, touch the "Search" field. The address of the place you just looked up on your computer and any recent searches will appear as suggestions.
Save your favorite places so you can spot them later
Save places in Google Maps, like all the places you want to hit on your next bar crawl, so they're easy to find again on any device.
Get from here to there with less typing
Save your home or work addresses in Google Maps, then just type "home" or "work" to get directions to each.
Open the Google Maps app and sign in to your Google Account.
To add your home or work address, touch the menu icon (the three bars in the bottom left corner).
Select "Settings."
Choose "Edit home or work."
You'll now be able to access your home or work address while on the go by typing in "home" or "work."
Take 50,000 songs with you wherever you go
Upload the songs you already own (up to 50,000) to the web with Google Play, then listen to them on any device.
Go to play.google.com and sign in to your Google Account. Then, click "Music," and then select "My music."
Click "Start with Standard," and then click "Set up account" to create your Google Play Music profile.
Then, click "Download Music Manager" and follow the installation instructions.
Upload your songs to Google Music by opening the "Applications" folder on your computer, double-clicking "Music Manager," and then clicking "Open."
Follow the steps to connect the Music Manager with your songs and then enjoy all your music on play.google.com or the Google Play Music app.
Install apps on your phone without touching it
Browse the Google Play store from your computer, and when you see something you like, send the app to download on your Android phone.
Go to play.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Browse through different kinds of apps. When you see something you like, click "Free" or on the price of the app.
From the pull-down menu, select the device you want to install the app on. If you don't see your device listed, touch the "Settings" icon on your device, scroll down to "Accounts," and touch "+ Add account" to add your Google Account.
Then, click "Install" to download the app to your device. If the app isn't free, click on the price, enter your payment information, and click "Buy." You'll see the app appear on the home screen of your device once it has been downloaded.
Have your phone tell you when to catch the train
Get public transit updates automatically no matter where you are with Google Now.
This feature uses Google Now, which is only available within the Google app on Android 4.1+ and iOS 5.0+.
Open the Google app. If you see a welcome screen, choose "Yes, I'm in," and sign in to your Google Account.
If you already have the Google app, tap the menu icon in the upper left corner. Select "Settings" and make sure Google Now is turned "on."
That's it! Open the Google app at train stations or bus stops to get real-time transit info.
Let your phone worry about your flight
Google Now keeps an eye out for flight delays, monitors traffic, and pulls up your boarding pass before you're even thinking about leaving for the airport.
This feature is only available within the Google app on Android 4.1+ and iOS 5.0+.
}If you already have the Google app,tap the menu icon in the upper left corner. Select "Settings" and make sure Google Now is turned "on."
That's it! You'll continue to get flight updates based on your Gmail and search history.
Train Google to fetch your stuff
Sign in to your Google Account to instantly fetch flights, reservations, package delivery info, and more.
Open the Google app and sign in to your Google Account.
Ask Google about info from Gmail like flight information. Try "when is my flight" or for hotel or restaurant reservations, try, "when is my reservation?" You can also ask about your packages to find your current orders.
Also, In the mood for some nature? Try "my photos of nature" to sort through your Google+ photos.
Know the traffic before you're part of it
Got somewhere to be? Google Now will keep an eye on traffic and let you know when you need to leave to arrive on time.
Get the score of the game without having to ask
Even the biggest sports fans have other things going on. Get real-time updates about your favorite teams with Google Now.
Celebrate your birthday with your very own Google doodle
When you're signed in to your Google Account, you'll see a personalized Doodle on your birthday.
Go to plus.google.com and sign in to your Google Account. If you haven't used Google+ before, set up your profile and add your birthday in the "Basic info" section.
If you already have a Google+ profile, double check you've added your birthday in the "About" section of your profile.
That's it! On your birthday, you'll see a special doodle when you're signed in to google.com and in Google Now.
Know a downpour is coming before the first raindrop falls
Got a flight coming up? Google Now will show you what the weather's like at your destination so you can plan and pack accordingly.
Tap the menu icon in the upper left corner. Select "Settings" and make sure Google Now is turned "on."
To set more locations, select "Customize" from the Google app menu. Then tap "Everything" else and choose where you'd like to get weather updates from.
That's it! Open the Google app to get real-time weather updates from your home and for your upcoming travel destinations.
Looking for fun stuff to do nearby? Just look at your phone
Whether you're at home or traveling, Google Now will show you upcoming events that you might be interested in.
That's it! Open the Google app and scroll down to see the "Nearby events" Now card.
View your favorite artwork in your favorite pajamas
Explore museums and curate your own gallery from over 40,000 works with the Google Art Project.
Go to googleartproject.com and sign in to your Google Account.
To explore a collection as though you're walking through it with "Museum view," click the orange Street View icon.
Type into the search bar at the top to explore specific artists or artworks, and click on an image to open it.
Click the "+" button at the top (next to the artwork's title) to start your own art collection.
Click "My galleries" to see all the private viewing galleries you have created, or click "New blank gallery" if you want to curate a gallery using the artworks you've collected.
Be first in line for YouTube's latest hit
Subscribe to your favorite YouTube channels to get an email as soon as there's something new.
Go to youtube.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Browse channels from your YouTube homepage to find all your favorites. Subscribe to a channel by clicking under a video or next to the channel's thumbnail.
Click "Manage subscriptions" to choose how you want to get notified about new stuff on your channels.
Create awesome videos without buying special software
Combine or trim clips and add text, music, titles and transitions from within YouTube.
Go to YouTube.com, sign in to your Google Account and upload your favorite video from your computer.
Click on your profile picture in the top right and then click "Creator Studio".
Choose from the editing options above your video to add special features like music, comments, and captions.
Simply save your changes in the "Info and settings" menu, and your video will be ready for viewing.
Save the videos you want to watch for when you actually have time to watch them
Watch videos on your time. Hit the "Watch Later" button to add it to a handy playlist on your YouTube homepage.
Find a video you like and click the "Watch Later" button (the clock icon) at the bottom of the video.
Your saved videos can be accessed by clicking "Watch Later" on your YouTube homepage.
You can also find these videos on your phone or tablet by opening the YouTube app and signing in with your Google Account.
Play YouTube like a jukebox
Create and save a list of your favorite YouTube videos. They're easy to share with friends, too.
Open the YouTube app and sign in to your Google Account.
Search for a video you want to save by typing in the search icon at the top.
Then, tap the menu icon on the video (the three bars in the top right corner of the video result) and tap "Add to..."
Tap "Favorites." Or, to create a new playlist, tap "+ New playlist..."
To play all the videos you have added to your playlist, touch the menu icon (the three bars in the top left corner)
Then, tap the playlist you would like to watch.That's it! Just tap the play button, kick back and watch all the videos you've added.
Can you send an email? Then you can send money
Use Google Wallet to attach money directly to your email.
Click "Compose." Then, hover over the "+" icon and click the "$" icon.
If you don't have Google Wallet you'll be asked to set up your account, which will include entering a funding method.
Enter the amount you want to send, review your payment, and click "Attach." Add a subject and message text if you'd like, and click "Send." You and the recipient will receive email confirmations of the transaction. This feature is still rolling out to US Gmail users. If you don't have access, you can also send money on your phone using the Google Wallet app.
Have all the music you love in one place
Browse the new music homepage to find personal recommendations, new music, playlists or music you listened to before
Go to youtube.com or your app, sign in to your Google Account, and go to the new music tab.
Scroll down to explore the new music discovery options, and watch popular music videos, recommended music playlists based on what you're into and playlists of trending music across YouTube.
You can find a playlist to perfectly fit your mood, whether that's a morning motivators playlist or Boyce Avenue YouTube Mix.
Check out the newest songs from channels you subscribe to or quickly find the songs you've played over and over and over again
Find and lock your device before the wrong hands find it
Lock your long-gone device from wherever you are.
With Android Device Manager you can remotely locate, ring, or wipe your Android device if it's ever lost or stolen. First, make sure your Android phone is running the latest version of Android, then open "Google Settings" from the apps menu.
Then touch "Security" and you will find the Android Device Manager section.
You can turn on “Remotely locate this device” and/or “Allow remote lock and erase”.
To find your device when lost or stolen, sign into Android Device Manager at www.google.com/android/devicemanager. You can select: Ring your device; Lock your device with a new password; Erase all of your data.
Protect your account and your selfies from hackers
Add 2-step verification for double the protection.
If you have 2-step verification turned on, Google will send a passcode to your mobile phone when someone tries to sign into your account from an unfamiliar computer.
Be sure you are signed into your Google Account and access your settings by clicking your name or picture in the right corner then clicking Account.
Scroll down to "Signing In" and click "2-Step verification." You will then see a step-by-step guide which will help you through the setup process.
You'll then be taken back to 2-step verification settings. Review your settings and add backup phone numbers. You're done! Next time you sign in, you'll receive an SMS with a verification code.
Keep prying eyes off your device
Private info can stay private with PIN, password or pattern access
Don't let just anyone who picks up your phone or tablet have access to your stuff. Pick a PIN, a password, or a pattern, and even lock the phone with your face!
On Android, open your device's Settings menu.
Under "Personal," touch "Security."
Under "Screen security," touch "Screen lock." Touch the screen lock you'd like to use and follow the instructions and have a safer phone in seconds flat.
Let questionable content be known the minute you see it
Flag the content you don't see fit for the family
Our policy specialists work hard to help keep you safe on YouTube. If you see content that you think violates the YouTube Guidelines, you can flag it for review.
When you are signed into your Google Account on YouTube.com you can flag a video anonymously. First, click on the “Flag” button below the video player.
Click on the reason for flagging that best fits the violation within the video and provide any additional details that may help the review team make their decision.
Say farewell to surprise purchases
Keep accidental purchases at bay with password protection
In the Google Play Store, users can require a password prompt before a purchase can be made. Open the Google Play Store app.
Touch the menu in the upper right hand corner.
Then, press settings and scroll down to "user controls."
Under “user controls,” touch 'Require authentication for purchases' and choose a password setting. You're all set! Now you'll have to enter your password before making a purchase. We strongly encourage you to keep password protection turned on if you have children or if others could have access to your device.
Keep hangouts safe for everyone
Ensure that Hangouts is the place where everyone feels safe
If you see content that violates the Google+ Hangouts Policy, you can flag it for review. These policies play an important part in keeping Google+ a safe and positive place.
To report abuse in a Public Hangout Party, hover over the person's video thumbnail and click the "Ignore" icon. In the window that appears, select "Report Abuse".
Set it and forget it. Keep Safety Mode locked
Screen Youtube's content without doing a thing
Safety mode is an opt-in setting that helps screen out objectionable content that you may prefer not to see or don't want others in your family to stumble across.
Go to YouTube.com and sign in to your Google Account. Then, scroll to the bottom of any YouTube page and click the drop-down menu in the "Safety" section. Select the "On" or "Off" option to enable or disable Safety Mode and click "save".
Get family-friendly results from Search
Keep Search as PG as you need it
With SafeSearch enabled, you can filter out most of the mature content that you or your family may prefer to avoid. To do so, visit the Search Settings page at www.google.com/preferences.
Check the box next to “Filter explicit results” and hit the “Save” button at the bottom of the page. You can also click “Lock SafeSearch” to help prevent others from changing your setting.
Make sure your account is secure with a quick check up
Keep your account secure with a few simple steps.
Get better protection for your account. Update your security settings. It only takes about 3 minutes. First, sign into your Google Account. Then access your settings by clicking your name or picture in the right corner then clicking 'Account.' At the top, under "Security check up" click on "Get Started".
Double check that your recovery information is correct. Be sure to make adjustments to this section to keep it up to date. When everything looks good, click "Done."
Next, check on your recent account activity. Be sure to report any activity that looks suspicious.
Account permissions are next. This part will allow you to grant or deny access to the devices linked with your accounts to make things more secure.
When everything looks good, click done and you're security check is complete! You've now taken one more step to protect your account.
Keep the hackers out by updating your Chrome browser
Update your browser to ensure you have the latest and greatest safety features
Google Chrome automatically updates to the latest version every time you start it up, so you can get the most up-to-date security protection without any extra work. To double check, open Chrome and access the Chrome menu by clicking on the icon in the top right.
Click on "About Google Chrome" in the drop down menu. The current version number is the series of numbers beneath the "Google Chrome" heading.
Chrome will also check for updates when you're on this page. Click "Relaunch" to apply any available update. Congratulations, you've just given your browser a clean bill of health!
Let your browser manage your passwords
Have Chrome remember your password and reduce the risk of phishing.
If you reuse the same username & password across websites, and one of those websites gets hacked, your credentials could be used to log into other sites.
Allow Google Chrome to save your usernames and passwords for different websites and it will automatically complete the sign-in fields for you the next time you visit. Access the Chrome menu by clicking on the icon in the top right and selecting "Settings." Then, scroll to the bottom and click "Show advanced settings."
Under the "Passwords and forms" section, check the "Offer to save your web passwords" box if you want Chrome to prompt you to save your password when you sign in to a new website.
Make your TV screen a reflection of you
Turn your TV screen into a beautiful backdrop with your photos, artwork, news, weather, satelite imagery, and more.
Share your Chromecast with your friends. No WiFi needed
With the new guest mode feature, anyone with an Android device can cast to your TV as long as they're in the same room.
See your Android homescreen on the big screen
Cast your Android phone or tablet screen to the TV, so you can see your favorite apps, photos or anything else, exactly as you see it on your mobile device—only bigger.
Turn your phone into a remote control
With Chromecast, your phone is your personalized remote control.
See which apps are besties with Chromecast
Find TV shows, movies, music, sports, games, and more from apps that work with Chromecast.
Discover more Google Cast Ready apps at <a href="http://goo.gl/Pxc7TT" target="_blank">chromecast.com/apps</a>.
Search for your favorite apps or browse the page to discover new ones
To download an app for your mobile device, click on the app and then the INSTALL link.
Discover the stories behind the images on your TV
Find out more about what's on your TV homescreen.
Open up your Chromecast app on your mobile device
Select Backdrop from the side navigation bar
Learn about the images appearing on your Backdrop
Pro Tip: You can also learn more about the images on your TV screen by simply asking “Ok Google, what's on my Chromecast?” (you need to have the Chromecast and Google app installed).
Put your Chrome browser on your TV
Cast anything from a website in Chrome to the TV
Cast a net for some deals
Find offers to get the most out of your Chromecast.
Make sure your Chromecast is already set up.
Visit chromecast.com/offers, click "Redeem" and follow the steps to find offers available to you.
Multi-task while you cast
Use your phone to surf the web or check email while you continue to cast.
Visit your favorite Chromecast supported app and search for the content you want to cast. Then cast the content from your mobile device. Once the content is casting on your TV, use your phone as you normally would -- check email, surf the web, make a call, all without disrupting what's playing on the TV.
Queueing up YouTube is more fun with friends
Cast your YouTube queue to your TV.
Open the YouTube app and find a video you want to watch.
Select Add to TV queue on your mobile device or desktop.
To see your TV queue, click TV queue in the bottom of the video player. Friends can even add to the shared playlist from their personal phones. Pro Tip: Any device that is connected to your Wi-Fi network can cast videos and add to the TV queue.
Dial a phone number without touching a thing
Use your voice to call friends, family, and businesses.
Ask Google to dial phone numbers by voice by saying phrases like "Call Jordan". If you have multiple contacts named "Jordan", Google will ask you to specify which one. Reply by saying the full name, or something intuitive like "the first one".
You can also set up nicknames for family, friends, and others, such as "Call my sister" or "Call my boss". The first time you use a nickname, Google will ask you which number you want to associate with it - simply follow the prompts on screen.
Text without your thumbs
Send texts, compose messages, and more.
Ask Google to send messages for you without ever touching your phone. You can say things like "Text Kyle", or "Send a Hangout message to Dan".
Google will then ask you to speak the message. Or, if you prefer, you can tap to type.
Shine a light with your voice
Easily turn on settings like your flashlight.
Switch phone settings like your flashlight, Wifi, or Bluetooth on and off quickly by using a one sentence voice command.
Try saying, "Ok Google, turn on the flashlight", or "turn on Wifi".
Setting reminders just got easier
Set reminders while you're on the go.
Ask Google to set a reminder and Google will spark your memory at a later time or location. For example, say something like "Remind me to pay my Citi bill at noon".
Or, if you have location settings turned on, you can say "Remind me to pay my Citi bill when I get to work".
Open apps like a magician
Quickly launch apps, play music, and more.
Open any of your apps by saying "Ok Google, open..." followed by the app's name. For example, say "Open Google Maps" to do just that. Bonus: this works with all your apps, not just your Google apps.
Your stuff is just a question away
Find emails, track packages, and more.
Find emails faster by asking Google for them. Just say, "Ok Google, show me my emails from Kim." The results that appear are only visible to you.
You can also find stuff like packages, files, or photos just by asking, "Ok Google, show me my photos."
Get a download of the upcoming day
Set alarms, check your schedule, create events, even get the weather report.
Whether you're getting ready for the day ahead or simply winding down, Google can make things easier with voice commands. Set an alarm by saying, "Ok Google, wake me up at 5:30 a.m."
Check your schedule by asking, "Ok Google, what's on my agenda today?" or, "Ok Google, what does my day look like tomorrow?"
Create new events and meetings by saying, "Ok Google, create an event" and Google will help you fill in the details.
Ask Google for the weather when you're getting dressed or packing for an upcoming trip. Say, "Ok Google, what temperature is it outside?" or, "Do I need an umbrella in Seattle this week?"
Your questions, answered
Quickly get the answer to almost any question.
Get quick answers to a range of questions. Calculate tips by asking, "What's a 20% tip for 77 dollars?"
You can also learn about the nutrition of foods you eat by saying, "Ok Google, how many calories are in a sweet potato?"
Or simply feed your curiosity by saying something like, "Ok Google, what is a goblin shark?"
Travel with a little less hassle
Learn about your flight, your destination, and more.
Stay on top of your flight information. Ask Google for the status of your flight: "What's the status of Delta flight 46?"
Find things to do when visiting a new place by asking Google questions like, "What are attractions in Austin?"
Start using your phone by voice alone
Speak to Google to search and control your phone, handsfree.
Start a voice search on Android in two ways. You can tap the microphone icon in the Google search bar. Or, you can set up your phone to recognize the phrase “Ok Google” to launch a voice search.
First, make sure you have the latest version of the Google app, then open it. In the top left corner, touch the following: Menu icon > Settings > Voice > "Ok Google" detection. Make sure "From the Google app" and "Always on" are switched on.
Follow the on-screen instructions to train Google to the sound of your unique voice. Once that’s complete, you’re ready to search with your voice.
Eyes on the road, not your phone
Stay focused on the road with voice-activated directions.
Find your way by voice alone. For example, if you're running low on fuel, just ask, "Ok Google, where's the nearest gas station?" and Google will get you there.
You can also name places you go to often, like home or work, to get directions there faster by saying a phrase like, "Ok Google, how do I get home?"
Or, turn a commute into an adventure. Try asking for interesting things around you like, "Ok Google, where is the nearest park?"
Turn your lights on and off with Wink
Control your smart home from your phone
If your home is wired with Wink, you can ask Google to remote control things around the house. For example, you can create a shortcut so that,"Ok Google, activate sleep mode on Wink" turns off the lights when you've climbed into bed.
First, make sure you have the Wink app installed from the Google Play store. To set up a voice command, you'll need to create a shortcut in the Wink app.
Open Wink and tap the shortcut icon. Customize your devices into the shortcuts that make sense for your home. Then, you can ask Google to activate and deactivate those modes with your voice alone.
Discover new music with Shazam
Capture new music by saying, "Ok Google, Shazam this song"
Ever hear a new song you like but don't know who sings it? Now, you can capture tunes without even touching your phone (hint: this is quite useful when in the car).
Just say, "Ok Google, Shazam this song" and Google will get Shazam to find the song and save it in your Shazam app.
Come home to a full fridge with Instacart
Check in on your grocery orders with Instacart
Too busy to get to the grocery store? If you ordered through Instacart, you can ask Google: "Show me my order on Instacart" to find out when your food will arrive.
You can ask Google other Instacart voice actions such as, "Show my previous Instacart orders" and, "Show the next Instacart availability"
Travel like a local with TripAdvisor
Just ask to find what's nearby
Ask Google to help you find cool things to do nearby with the TripAdvisor app. For example, try, "Ok Google, show me restaurants nearby on TripAdvisor".
Or, discover things to do in general by asking, "Ok Google, show me attractions in San Francisco on TripAdvisor".
Decide what movie to watch with Flixster
Find films on the fly
You can ask Google to find you showtimes in multiple ways on your phone. If you're a Flixster fan, say "Ok Google, give me showtimes for 'American Sniper' on Flixster" and Google will perform that action within the Flixster app for you.
You can ask Google to do other things within Flixster, too. Try voice actions like, "rate 'The Imitation Game' five stars on Flixster," "add 'Furious 7' to my Want To See list on Flixster," or "play the trailer for 'Big Hero 6' on Flixster".
Catch deals more easily with Walmart
Google and Walmart apps team up to save you money
Walmart makes it easy to save money through their mobile app. Google makes getting to those features faster by simply asking. Try, "Ok Google, scan my receipt on Walmart" or "show me the value of the day on Walmart".
Find your next home easily with Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com
Discover the perfect new place
The process of finding a new place gets easier when you can quickly look up available properties. You can ask Google to do this for you within the Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com mobile apps.
For Trulia, try, "Ok Google, show me homes for rent in Austin with 2 beds on Trulia"
If you use Zillow, you can ask Google to, "show apartments nearby on Zillow"
Or, if you're a fan of Realtor.com, ask Google to "show me recently sold homes in Seattle on Realtor".
Safely turn on TuneIn while driving
Just ask and Google will turn on the radio for you
You can ask Google to play artists, genres, and songs on various music apps. For TuneIn specifically, ask Google to "open TuneIn in car mode" to make it easier for your eyes to stay on the road.
Listen in to NPR, hands free
Catch up on your favorite radio
Cut through the clutter for your commute. Turn on NPR One by asking Google: "Ok Google, listen to NPR"
Start your Lincoln car by voice
Start your Lincoln by voice with MyLincoln Mobile
If you own a Lincoln MKZ, you can ask Google to start your car remotely with your phone alone. Say, "Ok Google, start my Lincoln MKZ" and tap once to magically rev up the engine.
Film a video on your phone and upload to YouTube in a flash
Upload videos to YouTube directly from your phone.
Click "Uploads" from the drawer menu and then click the "Upload" button.
Name your video and choose if you want it to be public, unlisted, or private. Then, touch the "Upload" button in the top right.
Once it's finished uploading, touch the thumbnail to open the video.
That's it! Touch the link to watch your creation on YouTube or send it to your friends.
Launch a YouTube Mix
Listen to an infinite playlist of songs with unlimited skips inspired by a song or artist you like
Go to youtube.com or your app and sign in to your Google Account.
Search for an artist or song you like.
Click on the YouTube Mix that appears in the search results
Save every draft, from first to final, all in one doc
Google Docs automatically saves every edit, making it super easy to refer to old drafts.
Open your document, spreadsheet, or presentation. In the File menu, select "See revision history."
Click on individual dates and times to see or revert to previous versions.
Cater news headlines to your taste
Customize your Google News page to see more of the stories and topics you're interested in.
Create one awesome group presentation, not 5 disjointed ones
Use Google Slides to write and edit with others in real time.
Go to slides.google.com and sign in to your Google Account.
Click the red + button to create a new presentation or open one you've already started.
Click "Share" to invite people to work on the presentation.
In the "Invite people" box, enter your friends' email addresses and click "Share & save." Now you can all work together and edit the document in real-time on your computer or with the Slides app.
Got a lot of research? Use a lot of tabs
Make research easier by using multiple tabs.
In Chrome, click the "new tab" button to the right of an open tab. Keep multiple research sites open at once (and maybe some sports scores, too).
Take turns taking notes with Google Docs
Collaborate in real time on a single, shared doc.
Create a new document at docs.google.com
Click "Share."
Share it with classmates and give everyone permission to edit. (Tip: Choose the people least likely to fall asleep in class.)
Computer meltdown? Your files are safe online
Access your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations from wherever you log in next.
Log in to docs.google.com, sheets.google.com, or slides.google.com from any browser to access all your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Or, find them in the Docs, Sheets and Slides apps.
Avoid long-term relationships with textbooks
Get digital textbooks or rent them for less.
Visit "Books" from your Play Store app or go to play.google.com and select "Books."
Under "Categories," select "Textbooks."
Find your textbooks and choose to rent or buy.
Create a password haters can't guess
Create a password better than "password."
Sign in to your Google account, click your photo or user icon and then "My Account."
Click "Sign-in & security" and then scroll down to click "Password & sign-in method."
Enter an uncrackable password. Need inspiration? Visit support.google.com/accounts and check out "Creating a strong password."
Back to school pranks? Lock your device to stay safe
Ward off intrusions before they happen by locking, locating, ringing, or wiping your device remotely.
On the latest version of Android, open "Google Settings" from the apps menu and click "Security."
Locate the section called "Android Device Manager" and choose "Allow remote lock and erase" and/or "remotely locate this device."
Log in at google.com/android/devicemanager to lock, locate, ring, or wipe your device from anywhere.
Have a research question? Just ask
Ask Google about anything you're researching and get answers fast.
Say "Ok Google" and ask your question. Make sure the "Ok Google" hotword in Voice Search Settings is turned on.
Never miss a homework assignment
Keep your assignments in check with automatic homework reminders.
Sign in to the Classroom app and click "Settings" in the side menu.
Click "Notifications" and enable automatic notifications from your classes.
See who changed what in your group project
Revision history in Docs keeps track of everybody's edits.
Check your school and personal email in one place
Access multiple accounts (like your .edu address) on the Android Gmail app.
Open Gmail Settings.
Tap "Add Account."
Select "Google" if your school uses Gmail or "IMAP/POP" if it doesn't. Sign in to your other account and start emailing your classmates right from the app.
Hit the books where you want to, not just where there's WiFi
Access your digital textbooks and notes without an Internet connection.
Open your book or textbook in Google Play Books.
Go to "Settings," and select "Save notes, highlights, and bookmarks in Google Drive."
Name your folder in Drive and check the box to "save" it. Now it's all there for you offline.
Work without interruption. Or WiFi
Work on Docs, Sheets, and Slides, even when you're offline.
Sign in to Chrome.
Visit docs.google.com, sheets.google.com, or slides.google.com and open the file you want. That file will be available for editing the next time you're offline.
Or, pin the file you want to access with the mobile apps. Choose to "Keep on device" in the info settings.
Keep your selfies to yourself
Double up on privacy with 2-Step Verification: your password plus a private code sent to your phone every time you sign in.
Sign in to your Google account, click your photo or user icon and then click "My Account."
Scroll down to click "Signing in to Google" and then click "2-Step Verification."
Follow the steps to set up an added level of account protection.
Say no to hackers. Actually, we'll say it for you
Leave the hackers to us. All you need to do is update your Chrome browser.
If you use Chrome, ensure you have the latest version by opening Chrome & clicking the menu icon in the top right corner. Click "About Google Chrome" in the dropdown menu.
If updates are available, just click "Relaunch" to seal the deal. Chrome will block pages that look suspicious.
Translate foreign languages without leaving your doc
Translate your Docs into the language of your choice.
Open your document and select "Translate document" from the Tools menu.
Choose your language. Voilà.
Drop a video into your presentation
Play a video in your Slides presentation.
Open your presentation and select "Video" from the Insert menu.
Add a link or search YouTube. Boom.
Make sure your roommate isn't reading your email
Check to see which devices have recently connected to your account.
Sign in to your Google account, click your photo or user icon, and then click "My Account."
Click "Sign-in & security" and scroll down to "Recently used devices."
Click "Review devices" for a list of all devices that have been active on your account or are currently signed in.
Translate languages you don't even recognize
Detect which language is on your screen. Then translate it.
Visit translate.google.com or open the Google Translate app. Set "Detect Language" as the input language.
Type or paste the text in question to see both the name of the language and the translation.
Snooze without losing your place
Pick up where you left off in your book, across devices.
Open your book or textbook in Google Play Books on your device or laptop and it'll pick up where you left off. Read on.
Don't miss important emails from teachers and classmates
Sort your inbox with promotional and social tabs so you can get to important emails faster.
If you already see tabs in your inbox, click the "+" icon to the right of your tabs and select the tabs you want to use.
If you don't see tabs, click on the gear icon, select "Configure inbox" and choose the tabs you want to use.
Never sleep through class again
Just tell your phone to set a recurring alarm.
Say "Ok Google, set an alarm for every weekday at 7am." Make sure the "Ok Google" hotword in Voice Search Settings is turned on.
Make edits on the way to class
Edit on the go with mobile apps for Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Install and open the mobile apps for Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Tap on the file you want. Edit right up to the time of hand in.
Divvy up the work for a group project
Assign tasks to your classmates from within the project.
Open your shared document and highlight a word or section.
Open the Insert menu and select "Comment" to leave a comment in the doc.
Add a "+" before your classmate's email address in the text field. When you click the blue "Comment" button, your comment will arrive via email.
Email your whole class with just one address
Use a Google Group to reach everybody at once.
Go to groups.google.com
Click the "Create group" button and fill in the basic group information.
Click "Members" in the top right and then the green "Manage" button on the next screen.
Click "Invite members" in the left navigation and add the email addresses of your classmates. You can now email everyone on the list by using the group email address.
Turn in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint assignments even when you're using Docs
Easily edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files using Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Install the Chrome extension titled "Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides."
Create a new tab in Chrome and drag the Office file into the tab. When you're done, save the file and then export it in an Office format, or you can convert it to Google Docs.
Or, use the mobile app on your phone to open and edit the file.
Look up new words without looking up from your doc
Use the built-in dictionary and thesaurus in Docs.
Highlight the word you want to define in your document.
Select "Define" from the Tools menu to see a list of definitions and synonyms.
Do research in a language you don't speak
Translate any webpage from over 85 languages into your own, on your computer or phone—all with Chrome.
Make sure you have the latest version of Chrome. Visit a website in another language and Chrome will offer to magically translate the page to your language.
Look sharp for your homecoming date
Learn to tie a bowtie or crimp your hair just by asking.
Say "Ok Google" and ask a question like, "How do I put on cufflinks?" Make sure the "Ok Google" hotword in Voice Search Settings is turned on.
Host movie night whenever, wherever
Watch your movies and shows on your phone or tablet. No Internet required.
In the Google Play Movies & TV app, open "My Library."
Tap the download icon next to your shows and movies (you need Internet for this part) and they'll be ready to watch next time you're offline.
Amp up your selfies with code
See how the things you love are Made with Code. Then start coding yourself.
Visit madewithcode.com and click "Watch Video."
Inspired? Click "Projects" to see what you can code right now.
Master the art of group projects
Keep track of tasks, share ideas, and poll the team from one simple hub.
Sign in to the Google Classroom app and click on the class.
See all your assignments, announcements, and discussions. Go team.
Take a field trip from your laptop
Explore the Himalayas and hear local stories on an interactive trek through Khumbu, Nepal.
Visit g.co/treks
Click "The Khumbu, Nepal" and start exploring.
Show your History class what it's like to see the Pyramids
Visit one of the most famous places on Earth in Street View.
Click "Pyramids of Giza" and start wandering the Pyramids without the sunscreen.
Save your most needed translations for language class
Translate and save the words and phrases you use most in Spanish, French and over 85 other languages.
Visit translate.google.com or use the mobile app to look up a word or phrase.
Click or tap the star icon next to the definition to save it to your phrasebook and get it on any device.
Read textbooks that translate themselves
Translate to and from 90 languages without leaving your textbook.
Open a textbook in Google Play Books.
Select some text.
Select "Translate" and choose your desired language.
Free music for studying and partying
Get free, curated radio for everything from all-nighters to Friday nights.
Open the Google Play Music app.
Select what you're doing or how you're feeling and pick the kind of music you want to hear.
Get your groove on to one of three hand-picked radio stations.
Had a fun summer? Cue the collage
Make a photo collage of your best summer pics.
In the Google Photos app, tap the "+" in the top right corner and select "Collage."
Select up to 9 favorite photos.
Tap "Create" and then share your summer memories with friends.
Hack photos and PDFs to say what you want
Make your photo or PDF an editable document.
Find the file in Google Drive. Right click and select "Open with Google Docs." The file will be converted to Docs, and you can edit away.
Keep your sources straight with easy footnotes
Give credit where it's due with numbered footnotes.
Open your document. In the Insert menu, select "Footnote."
A numbered footnote will pop up for you to fill in. Annotate like a boss.
Go ninja on identity thieves
Take a 2 minute Security Checkup.
Sign in to your Google account. Then click on your photo or user icon and "My Account."
Under "Sign-in & security," find "Security Checkup" and click "Get Started."
Follow the prompts to ensure your account security. Commence civilian life.
Learn to code nearby
Find coding opportunities nearby.
Go to madewithcode.com/resources
Enter your location to find a nearby coding class or event.
Check if it's game on or game off. Get the forecast fast
Check the forecast before game night just by asking.
Say "Ok Google, what's the weather for this weekend?" Make sure the "Ok Google" hotword in Voice Search Settings is turned on.
Do homework on the go
Access assignments, grades, and notes from your teacher on any device.
Sign in to the Google Classroom app and click on a class.
Click the assignment you want to work on or get feedback on.
Once it's complete, see how you did.
Ditch the notecards and present with confidence
Add talking points to your presentation that only you can see.
Go to slides.google.com and choose your presentation.
Add speaker notes at the bottom of each slide that only you can see when you present.
On the mobile app, tap the three dots on the slide. Then tap "Show speaker notes."
A complete spreadsheet with less typing
Use auto-fill to complete patterns in your spreadsheets without the typing.
In your spreadsheet, select a group of cells you want to replicate, like days of the week.
Drag and drop the cells to copy them.
Pretend you're always this organized
See your classwork, grades, and feedback organized in one place.
Sign in to the Classroom app and click on a class.
See all of your assignments and class discussions.
Click on any assignment to view grades and feedback.
Run your own research study
Survey an unlimited number of respondents with Google Forms.
Visit forms.google.com
Create a survey using various question types.
Share the form link to start collecting responses.
Find a good time to host a study group
Coordinate schedules with Google Forms.
Create a multiple choice question with potential meeting times.
Share the form link with your classmates to start collecting responses.
Get your whole team's info in one place
Collect your classmates’ contact info and store it in one place.
Create text fields where people can add in their names, email addresses, and phone numbers.
Share the form link with your classmates and see all the responses in a Google Sheet.
Get inspiration for your next paper
Explore significant moments in history through documents, photos, videos, and personal accounts.
Visit g.co/culturalinstitute
Click on "Historic Moments."
Study and compare images for Art History
Get a close-up view of the art you study in class.
Visit g.co/culturalinstitute and search for an artist or collection.
Click “Compare” and then drag two images into the box.
Click “Start comparing” and use the “+” icon to get a closer look at each piece.
Keep track of all your classes
Add your schedule to the Calendar using repeating events.
Click "Create" on the Calendar main screen.
Enter your class info (time, location, professor, etc.)
Set the event to repeat every week until the end of the semester. Do the same for your other classes.
Never miss that weekly study group
Create a shared event with your classmates.
Click "Create new calendar" under the "My Calendars" tab.
Set up your Calendar to fit your needs (name, description, time zone, etc.).
Share your calendar with your classmates to start coordinating study sessions.
See your plans (and due dates) for the week at a glance
Use week view to check your schedule on the go.
Click the menu tab in the top left corner.
Select "Week" from the menu of views.
Check out what you have planned for the week ahead.
Keep off the freshman 15
Set aside time to hit the gym.
Create a new event.
Set the name, location, and frequency. Then reward yourself with dessert.
Tips
