Google gave Google Now a considerable makeover to make users' lives easier. It added nine new Google Now voice commands.
iOS app users should not get their hopes up, though, as these new handy features are only rolled out to the Android version of Google Now app as of the moment.
Here are the nine new voice commands you can take advantage of to control your smartphone.
1. Turn the flashlight on or off
You can activate and deactivate the flashlight of your Android smartphone by simply saying "turn flashlight on" or "turn flashlight off." Your smartphone follows these commands to guide your way inside a dark room (how brilliant).
2. Turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on or off
By saying "turn Wi-Fi / Bluetooth on 'or' turn Wi-Fi / Bluetooth off," Google Now will take you to a setting where you can activate or deactivate your phone's Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with the use of a toggle switch.
3. Read text messages
This new command can certainly help when you wish to read incoming SMS messages while driving. Just say "read/show my messages" then Google Now will instantly show your last five incoming text on your screen.
4. Open apps
It is now easy to launch apps on your Android phone. Ask Google Now to "open (the name of the app)." It seemed to be working with apps like Twitter, Facebook, Spotify and Gmail. It also works with opening a few websites.
5. Take videos and photos
Telling Google Now to "open camera" will instantly open up your camera. Additionally, you can ask Google Now to "record a video" or "take a photo" and this will automatically give you a list of apps capable of taking pictures or videos.
6. Modify volume and brightness levels
You can also have Google Now change the volume or brightness levels of your phone by simply saying, "lower brightness" or "mute volume." However, this will only lead you to a page in the settings app where you can modify the volume and brightness of the phone.
7. Set alarms
You can configure your wakeup call by telling Google Now to "set an alarm." Note, though, that other settings, such as the alarm sound, can only be set by heading into the clock app.
8. Play Music
Just say "play music," and the "I'm feeling lucky" radio option of the Google Play Music will open.
9. Call and text contacts
What makes Google Now for Android even more intelligent is it lets you call or send a text message to one of your contacts by asking Google Now to "call" or "text" someone in your contacts.
