Google Assistant on Android is getting new updates. Now, Google wants to integrate Assistant into third-party Android apps. For example, you can use voice commands to send messages or browse online stores. 

Google Assistant and Third-Party Apps

The Verge reports that Assistant could search any app on your Android phone through voice commands. Moreover, Google wants to link Assistant to common app functions. 

Google Assistant gets custom shortcuts for directly interacting with third-party Android apps https://t.co/hLI90yayVx pic.twitter.com/d9GQA9vOFf

— The Verge (@verge) October 12, 2020

Before, you needed specific apps that could run within Assistant.  However, Google’s update would let Assistant work with every app on your Android phone.

Google Assistant’s New Functions

What can you do with the new Google Assistant? Pull up your YouTube subscriptions with a simple voice command. You can also say, “Hey Google, my Instagram profile,” and Assistant will open your profile from Instagram. 

If you have Nike’s Adapt sneakers, you can even tell your shoes to lace up by themselves.

For now, Google Assistant will support 30 top apps from the Play Store. These apps include Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, TikTok, Spotify, Postmates, Discord, Walmart, Etsy, Snapchat, Twitter, and Uber. You can also use the new Assistant for YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps. 

What’s Next for Google Assistant

With this update, you can do a lot more things with Google Assistant. Google’s efforts could add more functions to Assistant.

The post Google Assistant to Get Shortcuts for Third-Party Android Apps first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Working from home during COVID-19 causes a lot more stress than usual. Living under a pandemic means self-care is now more critical than ever. So, Google has updated Assistant to help you take time for self-care during the day. 

Google Assistant and Self-Care

The Verge reports that Google introduces a new Workday routine to Assistant. With the new routine, Assistant can now remind you, throughout the day, to set some moments aside for self-care. Aside from improving your work, Assistant also helps you stay healthy.  

Google Assistant’s new Workday routine can bug you to take care of yourself https://t.co/oT9U8sjLcg pic.twitter.com/p5d5BGpmHf

— The Verge (@verge) September 27, 2020

How Google Assistant’s Self-Care Routine Works

COVID-19 has drastically changed our habits. Staying at home all the time has made us forget to take care of ourselves. So, Google Assistant pings you from time to time during the day to do small things for yourself. These actions could include getting a glass of water or taking a walk around the house. Before your workday ends, Google Assistant also tells you to wrap your tasks up. 

You can control what the alert says and what times they ring. 

When Can I Use Google Assistant’s Self-Care Routine?

If you have the Google Home app on iOS or Android, you can use the self-care routine this week. Just go to Home’s routines menu to enable the mode. 

Google is also updating Assistant’s Gentle Sleep and Wake feature to embrace more smart light bulbs. This feature turns these bulbs on and off, depending on your set times. Earlier, Google limited the feature only to Philips Hue bulbs. Now, this feature should work with all bulbs that are compatible with Google Assistant. 

The post Google Assistant Now Helps You Do Self-Care first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins