Google was once known for just its search engine but has over the years evolved and introduced new services. One of such that stands out is the Google Assistant, an Artificial Intelligence tool that you can have conversations with.
What exactly is Google Assistant?
The Google Assistant is an artificial intelligence powered virtual assistant developed by Google that is primarily available on mobile and smart home devices. Unlike the company’s previous virtual assistant, Google Now , the Google Assistant can engage in two-way conversations.
It debuted in May 2016 as part of Google’s messaging app Allo , and its voice-activated speaker Google Home. After a period of exclusivity on the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, it began to be deployed on other Android devices in February 2017, including third-party smartphones and Android Wear and was released as a standalone app on the iOS operating system in May.
How Google Assistant Works.
Google Assistant is built based on natural language processing, a procedure of converting speech into sounds, words, and ideas.
– Google first records your speech. Because interpreting sounds takes up a lot of computational power, the recording of your speech is sent to Google’s servers to be analyzed more efficiently.
– Google breaks down what you said into individual sounds. It then consults a database containing various words’ pronunciations to find which words most closely correspond to the combination of individual sounds.
– It then identifies key words to make sense of the tasks and carry out corresponding functions. For example, if Google Assistant notices words like “weather” or “temperature”, it would open the weather app.
– Google’s servers send the information back to your device and Google Assistant may speak. If Google Assistant needs to say anything back to us, it would go through the same process described above, but in reverse order.
To provide you with the full Assistant experience, your Assistant may ask you to turn on these settings:
- Web & App Activity , which includes your activity on Google sites and apps. This info helps your Assistant provide more personalized experiences and suggestions.
- Device Information , which includes your contacts, calendar, and apps, so your Assistant can help with tasks like call a friend or play your favorite music.
- Voice & Audio Activity , which records your voice and audio on Google services to improve speech recognition.
- When you turn on these settings, you turn them on for your Assistant and other Google services you use.
What can Google Assistant do?
Through the “OK Google” or “Hey, Google” side, Google Assistant covers voice commands, voice searching, and voice-activated device control, letting you do things like sending messages, surf the web and so on.
Google Assistant will:
- control your devices and your smart home
- access information from your calendars and other personal information
- find information online, from restaurant bookings to directions, weather, and news
- control your music
- play content on your Chromecast or other compatible devices
- run timers and reminders
- make appointments and send messages
- open apps on your phone
- read your notifications to you
Once you’ve started talking to Google it listens for a response without needing a trigger phrase (OK Google) all the time. Google Assistant also recognizes voice profiles for different people, so it knows who is talking to it and can tailor the responses accordingly.
Google Assistant in Google Home devices is the foundation of smart home control, compatible with a wide range of devices so you can control lots of things at your Google Home with your voice.
Which devices offer Google Assistant?
Google Assistant launched on the Google Pixel smartphones and Google Home, before expanding to just about all modern Android devices. It’s available on Wear OS devices, Android TV and Nvidia Shield plus Android Auto.
Google Assistant is native to Google Home smart speakers, but it’s also widely available on other smart speakers from third-party manufacturers; devices like Philips Hue can be controlled by Google Assistant and not just through Google Home, but wherever you happen to interact with Assistant.
Recently, Google Assistant became compatible with Siri of iOS.
- You will soon send money using Google Assistant.
- How to unlock your phone with your voice using Google Assistant
Useful Google voice commands on Google Assistant
Google Assistant has a vast range of Commands but we shall list just a few of those.
Get Greetings and weather details. Launch it and say “Good Morning,” it will greet you back along with a brief weather news of your place. Same will work for “Good Afternoon” and “Good Evening.”
Set your daily alarm. Launch your assistant and tell “Wake me up at 9 a.m.,” your alarm will be set automatically
Open any apps with your voice. Launch your Google Assistant by saying “OK Google, open WhatsApp,” You can use this Google Assistant command to open any app you want.
Make Calls. Just open it and say “call (the person’s name),” and your preferred number will be automatically dialed.
Send messages. Say “Send text message to (the person’s name).” From there, you can dictate the entire text message that you want to deliver.
Get directions. Go to Google Maps, and you can say commands like “How do I get to (name of the place)?” or “Show me a map of (name of the place).”
Translate languages. Just say, “How do you say ‘(your word)’ in Spanish.” The assistant will speak the translated phrase for you.
Check your emails. Simply launch it and ask, ” Did I miss any emails from yesterday?” and with its great power to draw information from other Google apps and services, the assistant will pull up emails that remain unopened.
Tune your Guitar . Just launch it and say “tune my instrument” or you can even ask for specific note like “play A flat.”
Post a Tweet or Facebook status. Simply say “Ok Google, tweet ____” and tweet will be posted. Or just ask your assistant to post a tweet and the assistant opens a text box with voice recognition to compose a tweet and post it.
Turn ON a flashlight or toggle Bluetooth. Ask your assistant to turn on Flashlight or toggle Bluetooth by saying “OK Google, turn on flashlight,” or “OK Google, turn on Bluetooth.”
Google Assistant trick to take a selfie. Just launch it and say “take a Selfie,” then pose for one.
These are just a few commands that you can ask the Google Assistant. There are much more and a lot of other fun activities that you can try.
Google Assistant Tips and Tricks
These are various tips and tricks that can help you have a better experience while using Google Assistant.
Adjust settings
Google Assistant has a Settings menu and from it, you can do almost anything ranging from adjusting your “OK Google” voice model to seeing a summary of your activity generated by Assistant. To access the Settings menu, open the Settings app, and then go to Google > Search & Now > and Settings under Google Assistant.
Enable/disable Assistant
Under the settings, scroll to “Adjust settings for this device”. Just below that, you’ll see a toggle next to Assistant. When you turn on the toggle, you give Assistant permission to answer questions and get things done.
Customize ‘My Day’ summary
Under the Assistant’s settings menu, scroll to “My Day” and tap it to customize your daily briefing. You can select from many of options, including weather, work commute, reminders, among others.
Enable/disable screen context
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Adjust settings for this device”. Beneath that, you’ll see a toggle next to “Use screen context”, which is basically Now on Tap 2.0. When you turn on the toggle, you give Assistant permission to show you info related to what’s on your screen.
Change your Assistant language
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Adjust settings for this device”. Beneath that, you’ll see “Assistant Language”. Tap it to see Language Preferences, where you can select your default language and add a language.
Enable/disable always-on ‘OK Google’
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Adjust settings for this Pixel device”. Beneath that, you’ll see “‘OK Google’ detection”. Tap it. From there, turn on the toggle for “Say ‘OK Google’ any time” to give Assistant permission to recognise your voice whenever you say “OK Google” – even if your screen is off or you’re using an app. This makes Assistant always-on.
Use ‘OK Google’ to unlock device
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Adjust settings for this device”. Beneath that, you’ll see “‘OK Google’ detection”. Tap it. From there, turn on the toggle for “Trusted Voice” to give Assistant permission to unlock your device when it hears you say “OK Google” (the sound you make must match your previously recorded “OK Google” voice model, however).
Retrain ‘OK Google’ voice model
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Adjust settings for this device”. Beneath that, you’ll see “‘OK Google’ detection”. Tap it. From there, tap “Retrain voice model”. You’ll then have to re-say “OK Google” a few times so that Assistant can remember and recognize how you say the phrase. It can then use the phrase as a wake word and device-unlock word.
Set your home and work locations
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Google Account settings”. Beneath that, you’ll see “‘Personal info”. Tap it. From there, you’ll see the option to add your Home and work locations. Tap it, and then manually enter your addresses. If you’ve been using Google Now previously, this information will probably already be in place.
Set your nickname
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Google Account settings”. Beneath that, you’ll see “‘Personal info”. Tap it. From there, you’ll see the option to add your nicknames. Tap it, and then manually enter your nicknames. You can also test that Google knows how to say it correctly.
View ‘My Activity’ summary
Under the Assistant’s settings, scroll to “Google Account settings”. Beneath that, you’ll see “‘My Activity”. Tap it. From there, a screen will pop up showing you all the “control data generated by your Assistant”
Victor Immanuel Oloo is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in web 2.0 technologies, social media, and digital marketing. He covers the latest in mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and tech news, offering insightful analysis on the ever-evolving tech landscape. Victor’s deep understanding of both local and global trends provides readers with relevant, informed perspectives on how technology is shaping our world.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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