What Do You Use Your Google Home for?

Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 09:40
Last edited 07/05/2019 - 14:09

Finally received the Google Home mini 'freebie' from Spotify promotion.

Me and my mates were really excited to finally have an 'assistant' at home that can help make our life easier

After playing few hours with it….We started to get bored with it and found it's not really helpful.
Let's say you use the 'good morning' habit feature where it can tell you the weather, traffic etc..for me, I would rather have checked it from my mobile when so I can see the traffic condition better.

Let's say you want to ask it to play you a certain Youtube video, you need to start by saying 'OK Google' then 'Search video on youtube and cast it on TV'. You can definitely save the time by just search it yourself in your phone and cast it manually.

So, I'm keen to know what benefits do the ozbargainer genuinely get by using the Google Home?

  • Update *

Thank you all for the useful and OK tips in regards to the usage of GH. After reading through the comments, I have decided to keep my GH and will try to utilise better!

Electrical & Electronics Google Speakers Voice Assistant

Comments

  • redpump on 06/05/2019 - 09:46
    +7

    I only use it to tell me the news/podcasts or play music while I am cooking. My home mini is sitting in my kitchen.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 09:53
      +1

      I only use it to tell me the news/podcasts or play music while I am cooking. My home mini is sitting in my kitchen.

      Isn't music player enough then?
      I can't seem to listen to anything when trying to cook. Took all my concentration away.

        • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:13
          +11

          I am asking redpump

          • redpump on 06/05/2019 - 10:45

            @Taro Milk Tea: It's enough for me, I like it, but it does have it's limitations. Also forgot to add in that it is handy when you are having dinner and want to google something.

            • Zonty on 07/05/2019 - 20:19

              @redpump: Many thing can do with google mini, it's like browser with voice control.
              If you want recipe ask google will give u step by step recipe,
              If you want know weather ask
              If you want know news you can ask.
              If you want choice of music to play if connected Spotify Paid version will play for you direct, rather then scrolling for it.
              You can ask any queastion even if you ask what sound of dog willl bark for you.

              It's fun but not for my age I use all I might use music,news and weather.

      • de9299 on 06/05/2019 - 16:12
        +7

        I can't seem to listen to anything when trying to cook. Took all my concentration away.

        Cannot multitask, you must be a fellow man.
        Source : I am a man

        • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 16:18
          +1

          Cannot multitask, you must be a fellow man.
          Source : I am a man

          hey..cmon man, many great chefs in this world are male!

    • arcticmonkey on 07/05/2019 - 20:47
      +6

      Ours is in the kitchen too.

      We use it:

      for a cooking timer
      for music
      to play YouTube videos
      For answers to questions
      For games
      For recipes
      For the time
      To see how long it takes to drive somewhere
      To find out opening hours of places
      For weather, to determine whether to hang clothes inside or outside
      To locate my phone (my favourite feature)
      To broadcast something from downstairs to upstairs

  • geek001 on 06/05/2019 - 09:47
    +15

    Small list at the moment, but I can only imagine the list will get longer.

    Turn on/off my lights/fans.
    Tell me if it is going to rain tomorrow or later.
    Set a timer for cooking.
    Tell me the time without me having to open my eyes in the morning.
    Play music.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 09:54
      +3

      Turn on/off my lights/fans.

      I assume you have then replace all your lights to be the type that can be automated (sorry not sure what the term is)?.
      How much extra cost have you spent to do this?

      Tell me the time without me having to open my eyes in the morning.

      Respect, I never have any energy to even say any word when I'm awake in the morning.

      • geek001 on 06/05/2019 - 10:02
        +5

        Google home compatible switches that comes up on special on Ozb from time to time. I am using Broadlink ones. They are hooked up to my floor lamps. Some are controlled via IFTTT to turn them on at sunset and turn off at 1am. The fan is controlled by a Google home compatible remote. I am using the Broadlink RM Pro.

        With the waking up, it is easier for me to say "Ok Google, what is the time now?" rather than turn over and see what the time is on my phone. Lol.

        • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:31

          Fair enough, I guess when someone's into this automation thing, they can really invest so much time and $ to make it really useful.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2019 - 11:16
      +6

      Tell me if it is going to rain tomorrow or later.

      Pretty sure Google does not obtain weather data from BoM. Take her weather info with a grain of salt.

      • geek001 on 06/05/2019 - 11:26
        +4

        Lol. Yes, agree. I also take BoM forecast with a grain of salt. Not BoM's fault. Just Brisbane is a large area. I use the rainviewer app usually if I can be bothered to pick up my phone.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 09:54

      such as?

    • PopCounty on 06/05/2019 - 13:10
      +4

      When you busy in the toilet with both your hands and you want something done.

      Nah… you can ask Google to find the cheapest haircut

      • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 13:39
        +2

        ey ey, focus on my thread.

    • mskeggs on 06/05/2019 - 16:26
      +1

      Pornhub described action channel?

  • trustnoone on 06/05/2019 - 09:48
    +12

    For me, just purely not having to be near my phone and still use it helps a lot as well as being able to command other things. Personally theres TV, typically I come home, tell google home to turn on my tv (chromecast) sometimes to switch onto netflix. I also tell it to turn off when I'm sleepy and don't want to get up.

    Lights is a big one for me, switch on and off, especially when i don't want to get up or I'm already cozy in bed.

    Music as well is another one, usually I'll just say hay google play some music, and it just plays random stuff, I also ask for specific songs, but I use spotify and don't typically cast to my TV, so you can say the typical "hay google play despacito".

    For random times, I'll just ask it for the weather or whether a particular shop is open, very helpful. Usually I'm doing multiple tasks at once, like getting changed while asking, so I don't have a phone in hand, or walking somewhere while asking.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 09:57

      For me, just purely not having to be near my phone and still use it helps a lot as well as being able to command other things. Personally theres TV, typically I come home, tell google home to turn on my tv (chromecast) sometimes to switch onto netflix. I also tell it to turn off when I'm sleepy and don't want to get up

      in what cases you are not near your phone? And correct me if im wrong, you can't chromecast TV right…?

      For random times, I'll just ask it for the weather or whether a particular shop is open, very helpful. Usually I'm doing multiple tasks at once, like getting changed while asking, so I don't have a phone in hand, or walking somewhere while asking.

      what things do you ask when you are getting changed? :)

      • dcep on 06/05/2019 - 12:39

        i know this sounds pathetic but some ppl need a companion to talk to.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzV6mXIOVl4

        • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 12:45

          ok……but I'm not sure if google home was designed to address this………

      • Chandler on 07/05/2019 - 10:17

        And correct me if im wrong, you can't chromecast TV right…?

        You are wrong. I've got a circa 10yo Phillips TV and I can use my gen 1 Chromecast to turn the TV on (via HDMICP) which brings up the Chromecast ambient display - which you can use to display your own photos if you like.

        You can also ask it to play (on the TV) music (using Youtube Music), videos (via Youtube), TV shows / Movies (via Netflix, Stan, etc).

        And this is all just relating to a Chromecast.

        what things do you ask when you are getting changed? :)

        the weather or whether a particular shop is open

        You may be getting ready to go to a shop and want to know if it's open/when it closes, travel time…

        You may want to know what you have on that day (calendar), if you asked the Assistant to remind you of anything, etc.

        • Taro Milk Tea on 07/05/2019 - 10:20

          You are wrong. I've got a circa 10yo Phillips TV and I can use my gen 1 Chromecast to turn the TV on (via HDMICP) which brings up the Chromecast ambient display - which you can use to display your own photos if you like.
          You can also ask it to play (on the TV) music (using Youtube Music), videos (via Youtube), TV shows / Movies (via Netflix, Stan, etc).
          And this is all just relating to a Chromecast.

          Thank you Chandler, I will look at it tonight and set it up. This could be useful.

          Also thanks for replying my questions, i really can't trustnoone

        • Hirolol on 07/05/2019 - 17:48

          Can you tell it to play specific videos on YouTube?

          For example YouTube has a bunch of recommendations so can you say the title of the video that is listed and it will play?

          • Chandler on 08/05/2019 - 14:32
            +1

            @Hirolol: You can! You are relying on it transcribing your speech (correctly) and getting the same top result as what you intended.

            In my experience, the transcription gives some interesting outcomes.

    • JTTheMan on 07/05/2019 - 09:24

      Yes, I do most of the above suggestions, it gets handy when you don't have a free hand while doing something or you are sitting comfortably or in bed so you can use your voice to ask Google.
      There is a bit of a learning curve and I'm still learning what I can get from Google Home.

      I have a couple of wifi switches (from OzBargain deals) that I use to switch off lights when my boys are finally asleep!

      I have a Sonos sound system and the new Sonos beta is trying Google Assistant for voice controls. I thought it wouldn't work for me as I have the older Play 1 speakers (without the microphone as in Sonos One) but surprisingly I managed to use my Google Home Mini to play music on my Sonos!

      • serpserpserp on 08/05/2019 - 20:41
        +1

        but surprisingly I managed to use my Google Home Mini to play music on my Sonos!

        Oh cool, I have a Gen 1 Play 5. I guess I still need to buy a Google Home Mini though. Or if you have google phones can you just use it through that?

        Although I might as well just buy a Play One that I wanted for another room now!

  • SnowDragon on 06/05/2019 - 09:48
    +4

    Weather
    Music (w/ the sub from this deal.
    Solving disputes with the missus ("what is the capital of Pakistan?")
    Setting alarms

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:03

      Music (w/ the sub from this deal.

      Didn't know about this hack deal..seems like a good deal!

    • Crashdown on 06/05/2019 - 19:48
      -1

      Is the YouTube deal still working? Says expired.

      • SnowDragon on 07/05/2019 - 07:55

        Unsure. I think people are now getting a payment error.

        But give it a go.

    • serpserpserp on 08/05/2019 - 20:41

      Solving disputes with the missus ("what is the capital of Pakistan?")

      What did she think it was????

      • SnowDragon on 09/05/2019 - 07:56

        It was just an example question.

        Recently it was how to pronounce a word properly. I was wrong…

  • Okayy on 06/05/2019 - 09:49
    +2

    I use it for music, trivia questions, traffic, broadcast feature, don’t wanna touch my phone so just tell him to play Netflix and YouTube and some more.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:05

      I use it for music, trivia questions, traffic, broadcast feature, don’t wanna touch my phone so just tell him to play Netflix and YouTube and some more.

      I tried this too, but I ended up getting frustrated because it sometimes can't give me the video i want to see in Youtube. Also, you can't really tell it in too much detail, so you end up have to wait until it give you video options then you have to select again which video you want.

      It just takes more time, not really saving so much.

      • Laurana on 09/05/2019 - 00:19

        I had the same experience. So I very quickly decided it wasn’t worth the trouble and stopped using it for myself.

        Basic questions like “when does x open?” only selected the correct place half the time, and it was frustrating trying to watch a YouTube video and getting a Spotify song. Then specifying YouTube and being told that the video is only available on YouTube premium (when you know it is not).

        However, we do find it useful for our youngest daughter, who can’t work out the remote yet. So she can just say “hey google, play Dinotrucks on the living room tv” whenever she’s allowed to use the tv. Or “hey google, skip” for a different episode.

        We mostly use it to ask google to lower the volume, pause or turn off the tv when/after the kids are using it because they often lose the remote!

    • Hirolol on 07/05/2019 - 17:49

      How do you tell it to play something on Netflix?

      • Okayy on 07/05/2019 - 18:02

        i.e hey google play the 100 on TV. It plays through Chromecast dongle by command given to GH.

      • serpserpserp on 09/05/2019 - 14:16

        Surely you can also just go "hey google play the 100 on Netflix on TV" if your TV supports it?

  • Axelstrife on 06/05/2019 - 09:49
    +1

    Alarm Clock
    Playing Spotify

    I don't have any of the bulbs needed any but if i did i would it to control lights.

  • fishball on 06/05/2019 - 09:51
    +4

    Timer is great for the kitchen. Checking weather is good too when I cbf getting the phone out.

      • olivecheese on 06/05/2019 - 10:35

        My oven doesn't have a timer :(

      • geek001 on 06/05/2019 - 11:28
        +6

        My oven timer is not voice activated though. :)

      • cypher67 on 06/05/2019 - 11:44
        +16

        If you are going to shoot down people uses because there is other things that can do the same as the google home you are going to be very disappointed. I for one can't think of a single thing google home can do exclusively.

        • NaRaSaRang on 06/05/2019 - 15:02
          +3

          Well said Cypher

      • isthisreallife22 on 07/05/2019 - 00:07

        Oven has 1 timer. Alexas and Google Homes are useful for different times for different parts of the meal

      • Name on 07/05/2019 - 10:40
        +1

        My oven has a timer and I use Google home all the time. When your hands are covered in chicken juices, one less thing you need to be touching the better.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:09
      -5

      home automation as it's prime … you don't need verbal recognition, that's for noobs .. automate your lights based on when sunrise/sunset.

      ^this, I keep hearing this is the best way to utilise google home. But then tell me tempura, how much extra $$ have you spent to fully automate everything in your home?
      Is it really worth the cost? Is it really that hard to turn on/off your lights/tv yourself?

      • peteru on 06/05/2019 - 12:42
        +8

        Is it really worth the cost? Is it really that hard to turn on/off your lights/tv yourself?

        Think of all the money tempura saves on disconnected line haircuts! Must be rolling in cash by now…

        • tempura on 06/05/2019 - 12:51
          -1

          cash me outside, howbow dah

        • sharka on 07/05/2019 - 08:51

          grabbing the popcorn

    • olivecheese on 06/05/2019 - 10:36

      Why did you say come on "Ladies" when the majority of OZB is male?

      • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:50
        -3

        err what proof do you have??

      • tempura on 06/05/2019 - 11:05
        -5

        irrelevant.

        • olivecheese on 06/05/2019 - 11:07

          So you aren't answering my question?
          Or are you implying you thought the majority of OZB were female?
          OR were you trying to use "Ladies" as an insult?

          • Hybroid on 06/05/2019 - 11:09
            +4

            @olivecheese: Relax, they're a comment troll that try to rile people up. Don't feed them.

            Example: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/ozbapi/node/453892/listcomments…

            As for the original topic, I have no real use for voice assistant speakers and would prefer not to have them at home constantly listening.

            • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 11:19
              -1

              @Hybroid:

              As for the original topic, I have no real use for voice assistant speakers and would prefer not to have them at home constantly listening.

              Not keen to keep updated with technology I assume?

              • Hybroid on 06/05/2019 - 11:39
                +2

                @Taro Milk Tea: On the contrary, I'm generally an early adopter of new tech and happily splash out on premium gadgets. I just don't see the point of always-on listening devices in the home for basically setting timers and checking weather…

              • Never Pay RRP on 08/05/2019 - 13:03

                @Taro Milk Tea: I agree with Hybroid. Can't really see the point, and I'm concerned about the constant listening.
                I got free Google Home mini (from Telstra) and after using it for a few days, had the same question as you. None of the reasons listed are compelling, so I'm just giving mine away to a friend

          • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 11:18
            -1

            @olivecheese: relax olive…It's still Monday, have some cheese first.

    • Godric on 07/05/2019 - 18:14
      -2

      Have admins confirmed tempura and taro are not the same person on different accounts?

      Godric on 07/05/2019 - 18:14 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
      • tempura on 07/05/2019 - 18:34

        What's your issue?

  • 13 on 06/05/2019 - 09:57
    +4

    Tv,lights,alarms,general knowledge,weather, i also set up when i on my way home from work, i can tell my phone ok google lets go home and it tells my google mini at home which then broadcsasts that i on way and make me a coffee..fantastic

  • boomramada on 06/05/2019 - 10:06
    +1

    Turn on|off lights | Fan | Air con | TV
    Check for weather
    Set timer, alarm
    Check for next bus

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:10
      -2

      Check for weather
      Set timer, alarm
      Check for next bus

      As I mentioned in above, don't you think its easier to check these in your phone rather than asking Google??

      • boomramada on 06/05/2019 - 10:17
        +5

        To use phone, need to locate phone, unlock it, click weather/google map/clock icon, or just say,
        "OK google, what is the weather?"
        or OK google set 5 min timer? "
        or OK google, when is the next bus to city?"

        Best for me would be Air con and TV,no need to find remotes.
        Very handy, when you feeding a screaming 2yo, your hands on the job, no need to locate any phone or remotes.

        • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:35

          Very handy, when you feeding a screaming 2yo, your hands on the job, no need to locate any phone or remote

          when you inserted that element above, I can see how it could help you better lol.

        • serpserpserp on 08/05/2019 - 20:45

          Wait until your 2yo becomes 3 or 4yo and starts learning it can interact with Google/Siri itself to try and override all the things you don't want them to use! Mine learnt how to access the normal youtube app and get around the restricted youtube kids for instance. If I could turn the TV on and off with it they'd certainly learn how to make it turn back on!

      • JTTheMan on 07/05/2019 - 09:31

        Sometimes 2 hands is not enough!

  • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2019 - 10:19
    +9

    10% switching on/off the lights.

    90% practicing my patience.

    "I'm sorry, that function isn't available right now."

    • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:20
      +3

      90% practicing my patience.
      "I'm sorry, that function isn't available right now."

      Hence this thread is created…it frustrated me a lot.

      • boomramada on 06/05/2019 - 10:22
        +1

        whats wrong with you two, mine is like 99.9% accurate, perhaps something to do with your accent? have you done a voice train?

        • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2019 - 10:23
          -1

          No accent. In fact, if anything, it would be closer to Google's native accent.

          I've also been known to over articulate as a result of having worked with the elderly since my high school job.

          • boomramada on 06/05/2019 - 10:25

            @[Deactivated]: Thats bit odd, try to do voice training option. Only time it ignores me when there is a lots of background noise such as TV.
            What Google Home product you using, I only got google home mini, work perfectly.

            • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2019 - 10:27

              @boomramada: Maybe. It has worked well for me at launch but over time, it has got worse. I suspect it has something to do with the increased scope of information Google now has.

            • Diji1 on 06/05/2019 - 10:57

              @boomramada:

              Thats bit odd

              Not really, many people report Google's voice recognition as being unuseable due to a high rate of errors.

              • MeesusEff on 06/05/2019 - 12:30

                @Diji1: Hahaha, my mum can't get hers to light up. But then again, she calls it Googol, and then gets angry when it doesn't respond.

        • Taro Milk Tea on 06/05/2019 - 10:27

          not so much because of an accent I believe (what accent are you btw?)

          Let's say you want to search NBA highlight between Toronto Raptors Vs philadelphia 76ers, you would have to say:
          'Ok google, search me above in Youtube and Chromecast it on TV'……

          • tempura on 06/05/2019 - 12:42
            +3

            @Taro Milk Tea:

            'Ok google, search me above in Youtube and Chromecast it on TV'……

            Doesn't matter what accent, Google won't understand what you just wrote.

          • Juice-Wa on 07/05/2019 - 12:21

            @Taro Milk Tea: You need to understand the language that the google home uses. It's very intelligent but you need to give it the right command.

            Something important to know is that the word "AND" is recognised by the home as a separate command, so avoid using "and" unless you're asking the home to do two different things.

            The way you would ask for NBA highlights is this way: "Ok google, play Toronto Raptors Vs philadelphia highlights in youtube on my TV" I can even use this command at work to turn on my TV at home and play NBA highlights.

            The home is smart enough to recognise what you mean by TV so there is no need to say play on chromecast. If you have multiple chromecasts then you'll need to name them in the google home app.

            • serpserpserp on 08/05/2019 - 20:49

              @Juice-Wa:

              "Ok google, play Toronto Raptors Vs philadelphia highlights in youtube on my TV"

              What does it play through when you don't say youtube? I thought google would default to youtube?

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