Google Home Mini is one of the most popular smart assistants around. Its small size, sleek design and wide range of features make it an attractive option for many. Especially if they don’t want to showcase the air freshener design on Google Home.
Another reason the Google Home Mini is such a popular option is the sheer number of features it has. In addition to the basic functions of a smart assistant (i.e. answering questions, playing music and controlling smart home devices), the Google Home Mini or Nest Mini, if you have the latest version) can do much more.
Here are the best additional Google Home Mini features you’ll love.
Google can find your phone
How often do you lose sight of your phone during the day? Sometimes it’s as simple as a device sliding between the cushions of the couch, but sometimes you put it down and forget where you put it. It happens to everyone.
The good news is that Google can call your phone for you. All you have to do is enter your number into your account and then ask, “Ok Google, find my phone.” This feature works with both Android and iPhone, so you don’t have to force your spouse to call your phone.
Google can do daily routines
One of the main advantages of a smart home is the ability to automate many routine tasks. You may not be thinking about it that much, but turning off all the lights (or even asking Google to do it individually) takes a long time.
With the Google Home Mini, you can create routines that are triggered when you say a specific phrase. For example, you can say “Ok Google good morning,†and the device can be programmed to turn on lights throughout the house, start making coffee, and start the morning playlist.
You can customize your own phrases for custom routines. Something like “Ok Google, game time†can dim the lights, turn up the volume on the connected soundbar, and turn on the Xbox to enjoy the game at night.
Google can broadcast to all devices
How many times have you had to get everyone in your family together and couldn’t find an easy way to do it without yelling at everyone in the house? If you have more than one Google Home Mini at home, one of the features of the Google Home Mini is the ability to stream to all devices at the same time.
You might say something like, “Ok Google, show me it’s dinner time.” After you give the command, the lunch bell will ring on each device. You can also use it as an intercom even when you are not at home. Telling the Google Assistant on your phone that you want to broadcast that you are going home, the message will be sent to all devices in the house.
Google could be a white noise machine
Many people cannot fall asleep without some kind of background sound, such as a TV, ceiling fan, or white noise machine. If you find yourself in one of these camps, your Google Home Mini can help you. You can ask Google to play different sounds and the device will respond.
Sounds are not limited to just white noise. You can request specific tracks such as rain or forest sounds. No matter what kind of background noise helps you sleep better, the likelihood that Google will be able to reproduce it is above average.
Google can act as a phone
If you’ve linked your contacts to your Google account, the Google Home Mini has a hands-free function. It’s simple. All you have to do is say, “Ok Google, call your mom,” and the device will dial your mom’s number.
Best of all, Google’s voice recognition feature means it recognizes the voices of regular users. Since everyone has a “mom†on their phone, Google can determine who is talking to them and name the right “mom†by the speaker.
Google can be your personal assistant
How often do you put something in and think, “I’ll forget where it is?” Instead of remembering where you put something, just report it to Google. If you say, “Ok Google, my spare key is in my desk drawer,†Google will remember.
When you start looking for your key and you won’t find it anywhere, just ask Google where it is and it will tell you where you last put it.
Google can adjust TV volume
Lost your remote? Don’t worry – just ask Google to turn on your TV, stream your favorite show, or adjust the volume. If a Chromecast is connected to the back of the TV, your Google Home Mini can act as a remote control.
If you’ve linked your streaming services to a Google or Chromecast account, you can stream certain episodes, skip the ones you don’t like, and more using just your voice.
Google Home Mini is a fantastic tool with an equally affordable price tag. Many consider it substandard as it is an earlier model than the Nest Mini, but there are no significant differences between the two devices.
If you’re looking for a useful and affordable smart assistant to use at home (or even as a Bluetooth speaker in your office), try the Google Home Mini. You will not be disappointed.
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