How to use Google Assistant on your travels

When you think of Google Assistant, your mind can immediately jump directly to the range of smart home speakers Google Home, which houses the super intelligent voice assistant.

However, Google Assistant also occupies an important place in your smartphone, which means that it can help you move. If you have an Android smartphone, the application is probably already integrated, while iPhone users can download it for free from the App Store.

Having an AI assistant in your pocket has many benefits, such as the ability to help you on your travels. For example, if you are booking a vacation in a new destination or simply plan your commute to work, here's how to use Google Assistant for all your travel needs.

How to use Google Assistant?

Android devices have the upper hand on iOS devices to use Google Assistant on your smartphone. After all, the mobile operating system was developed by Google.

If you are using Android 5.0 or later, you can simply hold the home button or say "OK Google" to activate the wizard. If this feature is turned off, your phone will prompt you to turn it on. You can then ask Google Assistant a question or give him a command.

You can also activate Google Assistant by opening the Google Assistant app, or, if you have a Pixel 2, Pixel 3 or Pixel 3A, you can simply press the bottom part of your phone, which is very convenient.

If you have an iPhone, you need to download the Google Assistant app from the App Store and open it whenever you want to give it an order or ask a question.

However, you can use a hack if you want to enable voice activation for the artificial intelligence wizard, which involves hijacking Siri. Simply activate a Siri shortcut phrase that allows you to open the Google Assistant app with a phrase – for example, "Hey Siri, Hey Google".

A Lifewire article details the process you need to follow to do this, which may be useful if you want the same features as an Android user.

How to use Google Assistant with Google Maps

One easy way to use Google Assistant to help you get around is to use it with Google Maps. iPhone user? Just download the application from the App Store first.

If, for example, you want Google Assistant to help you find the best way to get home after your work, you need to set an address on "Home" in the Google Maps application.

Once you've done this, you can say "go home" to Google Assistant. The latter will pull information from Google Maps to indicate or verbally explain the best route based on your current location.

You can also check traffic updates and get the latest information on turnouts and closures, which is especially useful if you drive and can not watch your phone.

How to book hotels and flights with Google Assistant

If you are planning a vacation, you can use Google Assistant to book your hotel and search for the best flight options without having to worry about arranging a trip.

To book a hotel, you can give Google Assistant orders such as "book a room in [hotel name] in [location], or "book a room in [hotel name] in [location] for [travel dates]"

You can also ask Google Assistant to do your flight search by asking questions such as "how much are flights to Berlin?" Or orders such as "find my flight to Rome".

Already have a booked flight? If you are in the United States, you can even check your flight and see if it is delayed, although this feature only works for domestic flights in the United States.

When you arrive at your destination, you can ask Google Assistant for holiday tips, such as "ask for things to do in London".

How to convert currencies and translate languages

You do not know how many dollars are there in a Danish krone? You can ask Google Assistant for just about every conversion you can think of.

The same goes for translations. If you are wondering what is the Swedish word for "Hello", just say "What is the Swedish word for" Hello "?" And the assistant will respond instantly with the correct answer: "Hej!