Google promised it would add the ability to schedule routines within Assistant earlier this year, and now it's honoring its word.
In addition to multi-step routines, which allow users to perform several actions — toggle the lights, ring the alarm, turn on smart home appliances — with just one command, Google is adding scheduled routines to make the feature even more useful.
How To Schedule Routines On Google Assistant
Droid Life first spotted the apparent rollout on Reddit, with some users saying they saw the option appear on the Google Home app. To craft routines, go to Settings, then Routines, and then tap the "+" sign. There should now also be an option to "Set a time and delay (optional)." For those who aren't seeing that last option yet, check back after a day or two; Google says it's rolling the feature out over the next few days.
Why is scheduling routines useful? Well, for people actively using routines, this could be a pretty convenient way of setting up their Assistant-enabled devices so as to automatically perform actions at a set time and date. For example, a user can schedule a routine every morning where Assistant turns off the lights or toggles the phone off its silent mode instead of asking Google each time. It doesn't just work for mornings, by the way: users can also set afternoon or nightly routines as well. Just as long as a user has the necessary smart home equipment needed to perform a function, it can be included in a scheduled routine.
Is Google Locking You Into Its Ecosystem Again?
While a lot of these devices already have built-in scheduling features that can be toggled on via third-party apps, Google making scheduling native to Google Assistant brings everything under one roof, as TechCrunch notes — this might just be part of Google's increasing attempts to keep people locked into one app. The company recently rolled out a feature on Search that displays nearby events in a clean, convenient layout, so people are less likely to go to, say, other events app for the same functions.
Of course, Google Assistant doesn't have the power or sufficient tools — for now, at least — to replace default smart home apps entirely. In any case, allowing users to schedule routines is a smart move, one that takes Assistant a notch above Alexa, Siri, Bixby, and other digital assistants.
What do you think of Google Assistant routines? As always, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
