The best Android feature you’re not using: voice commands

Google Now has become a central part of the Android operating system, introducing new functions and capabilities with every candy-flavored iteration. While voice commands have been core to the service since its launch, Google has done their part to continuously add new options regularly. Did we mention it’s now easier than ever to control your phone just by speaking to it? As of the latest Android KitKat update, users can jump right into Google Now simply by saying “OK, Google” at any time.

If you haven’t checked out voice commands in a while or are not acquainted with some of the newer (and very useful functions), here is a sampling of what you can do. Simply replace the text in brackets with whatever you are searching for or inquiring about and wait for Google to spit out the pertinent information.

Essential commands

• “Go to [some website].”
• “Search for [ Samsung Galaxy S5].”
• “Open [Gmail].”
• “Take a picture.”
• “Record a video.”

Productivity

• “Remind me to [call John at 6PM].”
• “Remind me to [buy toilet paper at Target].”
• “Set an alarm for [6PM].”
• “Create a calendar event: [Happy Hour at Union on Friday at 5:00PM].”
• “Where’s my package?”
• “Note to self: [remember to buy milk].”
• “What’s the tip for [$42]?”

Communications

• “Call [George Smith].”
• “Call [Mom mobile].”
• “Text [Lee that I'm running 5 minutes late].”
• “Send email to [Rob Jackson, subject, Google Now, message, Check out these Voice Commands].”
• “Listen to voicemail.”
• “Find [Bruce’s] number.”
• “When is [Mary’s] birthday?”
• “Post to [Google+]: [Google Now is awesome].”

Media

• “Listen to: [TheDirty Projectors].”
• “Play: [The Beatles].”
• “What’s this song?”
• “Play some music.”
• “Watch [Toy Story 3].”
• “What movies are playing tonight?”
• “Where is [X-Men] playing?”
• “Show me pictures of the [Chesapeake Bay Bridge].”

Navigation and Travel

• “Navigate to [Ocean City, MD].”
• “[Biking] directions to [The Brewer’s Art].”
• “Find [the Eiffel Tower].”
• “Where is [the Empire State Building]?”
• “Where’s the nearest [ice cream shop]?”
• “Show me the menu for [Holy Frijoles].”
• “Call [Ledo's Pizza].”
• “Show me my flights.”
• “Where is my hotel?”
• “What are some attractions in [Baltimore]?”

Information

• “What time is it in [London]?”
• “Do I need an umbrella today?”
• “What’s the weather in [Cape Cod] for [the weekend]?”
• “Where was [Albert Einstein] born?”
• “How old is [Brad Pitt]?”
• “How do you say [‘hello'] in [Spanish]?”
• “What does [onomatopoeia] mean?”
• “What’s [Google’s] stock price?”
• “What is [Twitter] trading at?”
• “What’s [16 ounces] in [pounds]?”
• “What is the square root of 2209?”
• “When is sunset?”
• “Did the [Orioles] win today?”
• “How did [the San Francisco Giants] do?”

Then, of course, Google has also included some Easter Eggs. Try telling Google Now to “Do a barrel roll,” or asking “What does the fox say?” for a giggle or two. And don’t forget, many if not all of these commands should work just as well with Google Glass and Google’s web voice search, as well.
What else can you do with Google Now? Let us know your favorite voice commands, Easter Eggs, tips, and tricks in the comments below!

Courtesy: Phandroid

How to find your parked car with Google Now [Android 101]

One of the most annoying things about owning a car is parking. First you have to find somewhere to park, which can be very difficult in big cities or at popular events. Once you finally find a spot you’re just dying to get out of the car. Oops! You forgot to take note of where you parked. Now you’re ready to go home, but you have no idea where to find your car.
There are dozens of great Android apps for finding parked cars, but most of them require you to input your location before you leave the vehicle. If you’re already forgetting to note where you parked in the first place you probably won’t remember to use an app. What if there was an automatic way to do this without any effort on your part? The good news is there is, and you probably already have it installed.
Did you know that the Google app you already use can include parking data? The app uses your device’s sensors to know when you leave a previously moving vehicle. When Google detects you’ve left a vehicle it will take note of your location, the time you parked, pinpoint the location on a map, and add it to your Google Now stream. All of this information will be displayed on a card like the one above.
How do I enable this?

All you have to do is make sure “Driving” is set as your main mode of transportation.

1. Open Google Now, scroll all the way down, and tap the Magic Wand icon.
2. Go to Customize > Everything else > “How do you usually get around?”
3. Choose Driving.

Can I choose when I see the parking card?
Like most Google Now cards, there are some additional options. Follow these steps to customize parking location cards:

1. When a parking location card shows up in Google Now, touch the Menu icon on the card.
2. Answer the questions to choose when to see the card.

How do I turn off parking cards?
If you find that the parking location cards aren’t working well, or you just don’t need them anymore, you can turn them off.

1. When a parking location card shows up in Google Now, touch the Menu icon on the card.
2. Touch No when you’re asked if you want to keep receiving reminders about your parking location.

Courtesy: Phandroid