12 tips and tricks to make the most of the Google app on your phone

There are hundreds and thousands of applications available on Google Play Store these days that can do wonders with just one tap.

If used to the fullest, these apps can make our lives way easier and solve a cumbersome task look like a cakewalk.

To use these apps to their optimum best, we must know about the minute details and tricks to use them.

One such app is Google, which has loads of surprises in store for us. If used to its optimum, it can wake us up on time, work like an office diary and remember all most everything for us.

Here are the 12 Tips for making the most out of Google App on your phone

1. Keep Tabs on the time

Try saying, "Ok Google, set a timer for 12 minutes," "Ok Google, wake me up at eight," or "Ok Google, show me my alarms" to see what's scheduled.

2. Find places locally and globally: Search for places next door or around the world

Try saying, "Ok Google, where is the nearest coffee shop?"

Or, ask for a specific place: "Ok Google, where is the Burj Khalifa?". In one tap, visit the website, see business hours, get directions, view photos, and more.

3. Remember everything on your to-do list: Set reminders while you're on the go

Ask Google to set a reminder and Google will spark your memory at a later time or location. For example, say something like "Ok Google, remind me to pay my Citi bill at noon".

Or, if you have location settings turned on, you can say "Ok Google, remind me to pay my Citi bill when I get to work".

4. Keep score even when you're not at the game

Get real-time updates on your favorite teams' games and scores with Now cards in the Google app. To get game updates, select "Customize" from the Google app menu, choose "Sports," and then add the teams you care about. This feature uses Google Now, which is available within the Google app on Android 4.1+ and iOS 5.0+. That’s it! Open up the Google app to get your updates.

5. Become a scheduling ninja

Check your Google Calendar and add new events by tapping or asking. When you use Google Calendar to manage events, you can ask Google questions about your day. Try asking: "Ok Google, what's on my calendar today?", "Ok Google, when is my next meeting?" or "Ok Google, where is my next meeting?"

Add new events hands-free by saying "Ok Google, schedule a meeting", or "Ok Google, create a calendar event”. Google will walk you through the steps to get the details right.

6. Get movie showtime, trailers, and reviews

Pick a movie, see where it's playing, and read what critics are saying.

Try saying, "Ok Google, which movies are playing nearby?" Or, browse movies to watch at home by asking, "Ok Google, what are the best comedy movies of all time?".

7. Know when places are open, closed, or busy

Check business hours before you go and avoid lines by learning when places are busiest

Search for a place, then tap into the expanded view to see its business hours. For many places, you'll also find a graph showing when the place is busiest throughout the week.

Get answers faster by asking, "Ok Google, when does Blue Bottle Coffee open?" or "Ok Google, what are Blue Bottle Coffee’s business hours?"

8. Translate 90 languages

Get translations in 90 languages by speaking or typing

Get spoken translations in the Google app, or, for the full experience, download Google Translate.

In the Google app, try out something like, "Ok Google, how do you say breakfast in Korean?"

9. Find out what's in your food

Get nutritional information for anything from beans to fast food

Try saying "Ok Google, how much vitamin C is in an orange," or "Ok Google, how many calories are in a double cheeseburger?".

10. Track your packages

When you have an order confirmation in Gmail, Google can update you when your package arrives.
Try saying, "Ok Google, find my purchases," or "Ok Google, has my package shipped yet?" You'll never lose track of your shipments again.

11. Play music on all your favorite apps

Ask Google to play songs on Google Play Music or other music apps.

With Google Play Music on Android, you can ask Google to play music for any situation, activity, or mood. For example, try saying, “Ok Google, play music for working out," "Ok Google, play some jazz," or "Ok Google, play happy music”.

To play music on other apps, just ask Google to "play" whichever song, artist, or playlist you'd like "on" your favorite app.

12. Prepare for the day, rain or shine

Plan for the elements by checking today's weather with Now cards in the Google app

Tap the menu icon in the upper left corner. On Android, select "Settings" and make sure Google Now is set to "On." On iOS, tap "Google Now" and follow the on-screen flow to activate.

To set up locations, select "Weather” and choose to get weather for home, work, your current location, and upcoming trips. That's it! Open the Google app to get your updates.