Google Home is already pretty useful. It can tell you the weather, read the top news stories of the day, and a whole lot more, but if you hook it up to IFTTT, the possibilities become nearly limitless. Here are 12 of the best Google Home shortcuts and applets.
Find My Phone
It’s so easy to set down your phone and forget where you placed it, especially if the volume is turned off. This IFTTT applet turns your phone’s ringer to max volume and uses a VoIP (Voice over Internet protocol) number to dial it.
Convenient.
Provides volume adjustment.
This might not work with all phones.
Send a Text
When you’re in the middle of cooking dinner and realize you’re missing an ingredient, the last thing you want to do is find your phone and send a text. Google Home can do it for you. Just tell Google to text your spouse, friend, or family member and let them know what ingredient you’re missing.
Hands-free texting.
SMS charges might apply.
This might not work with all phones.
Use Google Assistant to Send a Tweet
Tweets are a lot like texts; the most inspired ones come when you’re in the middle of something more important. Rather than stop what you’re doing, say, “OK Google, tweet [your message],” and Google Assistant sends it out into the world. It shows up on your timeline without any need for you to press a button.
Tweeting without Twitter.
This is more fun than it is useful.
Use Google Assistant to Add a New Google Contact
Your phone is like a modern-day diary. Handing it to someone for them to enter their contact info may be the way everyone used to do it, but Google Home makes it even easy to enter a new contact.
No more handing your phone to people.
Potential conversation starter.
This might not work with all phones.
People might not like your yelling their digits out in public.
If you have a dinner party and make new friends, say, “Ok Google, add [person’s name] to my contacts. The number is [phone number].” Not only is this an easier, more private way to add new contacts to your phone, but the applet may also be a conversation starter.
Log Notes in a Google Drive Spreadsheet
If you’re the type to keep a small notebook on hand at all times to record random thoughts, then this is the applet for you. It lets you dictate notes and add them to a Google Drive spreadsheet. Simply say, “OK Google, take a note [your note].”
Hands-free note-taking.
You need to be near Google Home or the Google Assistant app on your phone.
Create a Wishlist for Santa
This applet is similar to the note-taking app, but with a fun twist. Your kids can tell Google to let Santa know what they want for Christmas, and rather than sending a letter to the North Pole, Google adds the entry as a line in a Google Sheets document. You can reference this document easily and nail Christmas presents every year.
Makes Christmas shopping easier.
Adds list to Google Sheets for easy access.
Not applicable at all times of the year.
Adjust the Temperature
When you’re shivering under a blanket or sprawled on the couch sweating, you don’t want to get up to adjust the thermostat. If you have a smart thermostat, Google Home can do it for you. Activate this applet and tell Google Home to change the temperature to something a bit cooler or warmer than what it is. While Google Home works seamlessly with Nest, it also works with other smart thermostats.
The temperature changes and is logged in a spreadsheet.
Change the temp without getting out of bed.
You need a smart thermostat for this to work.
Start the Coffee
If you have a smart coffee machine, you probably have it set to begin brewing at a specific time. For those mornings you want to sleep in, though, this is the perfect applet. Just tell Google Assistant to start brewing coffee as soon as you wake up. In only a few minutes, you’ll have a fresh, piping hot cup of joe waiting for you.
Make coffee without getting out of bed.
This applet only works with certain smart coffee makers.
Adjust the Lights
If you have smart lights installed in your home, you can adjust them without reaching for a knob. Pick a scene and choose a catchphrase, then tell Google Assistant to use it and watch your lights brighten and darken with just a few words.
This works with a variety of phrases.
Only works with Philips Hue.
Arm the Security System
How many times have you laid down for the night only to remember you forgot to arm the security system? No one enjoys getting out of bed when they’re comfy, and Google Home makes it so you can arm your security system with a simple sentence.
Turn on the alarm with only your voice.
This applet only works with certain security systems.
Tell Slack When You’re Running Late
If you keep a Google Home in your office, this is the applet for you. It lets you customize a message then create a widget. When you press it, it tells the specified Slack channel you’re delayed.
Tell co-workers you’re running late in a jiffy.
It’s not completely hands-free.
Party Time
This one’s just for fun. The Party Time IFTTT recipe tells your Google Home to set your smart lights into a color loop. Throw in a few more commands like “play music” and “turn on the television” and you have the formula for a fun night in.
Party time. What’s not to like?
Without the necessary smart home devices, this applet is rather ineffective.
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
