Quick phrases feature is now deployed on Google Assistant

Welcoming the Google Assistant before answering a phone call or silencing an alarm will soon no longer be a requirement. The voice assistant now gains Quick Phrases, a feature that will allow users to issue commands without saying “Hey Google”.

As detailed for the first time in September, quick sentences will allow Assistant to react to commands without the need for a keyword. Notably, XDA-Developers describes how these commands can be as short as a word to control phone calls or alarms. For example, users can order “Answer” or “Decline” for incoming phone calls without an additional activation prompt. Ditto for alarms. The “Snooze” or “Stop” bark delays or cancels the ringing tone. Google is also planning several additional commands to control music, timers and smart home items, take notes, and set reminders.

It’s a great addition for those looking for more immediate voice control or in times when devices are out of range. Of course, someone shouting “please answer your phone” from across the room can accidentally pick up your call. Mumbling “snooze” while he’s half asleep might not be a great way to get to work on time, either. Essentially, you may want to use quick sentences with discretion.

See also: Essential Google Assistant Commands You Should Know

Those who use “Hey Google” to greet the assistant might also find the new feature shocking. More than three in four readers in a recent survey admitted to using “please” and “thank you” in conversations with their voice assistants. Understandably, single word commands may be a bit too short for some.

XDAMishaal Rahman notes that the feature was first discovered on a Pixel 3 XL running the beta of Android 12, but Google has yet to officially announce the availability of the feature. That said, we can probably expect some quick phrases to make their way to more devices in the coming weeks.