10 WAYS TO DO MORE WITH GOOGLE

10 Simple Hacks to Maximise the Services Google Offers on Your Android 

Hello, android phone user, we're here again! Earlier, I told you about 10 ways to get the most out of that android phone. I'm sure you picked a thing or two from that. In this post, we show you sides to Google you probably never knew existed. Just dig in already, your phone is waiting!

1. Google Assistant

Google Assistant is your own Siri for android. It is a virtual assistant software application developed by Google that is primarily available on mobile and home automation devices. Google Assistant can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to engage in two-way conversations. It allows you make hands free calls, texts, and even open apps.

You can ask it questions, listen to its jokes, even have fun games such as riddles with it. It uses a voice activation system, even though it also supports texts.

I have fun a lot with it, you should try it out too.

2. Google Drive

With Google Drive, you never have to lose your precious files at all. Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage feature that allows you store up to 15 GB of data for free, upgradeable to up to 2 TB if you so desire. Files uploaded also come with their download link, allowing you to share for others to access and download.

You can also connect to computers, making cloud file sharing all the more effective.

3. Back up contacts

If you still store contacts on your SIM card or phone memory, you’re taking the unsafe route. In the case of loss of any of these, your contacts are lost and you can’t get them back. When you save your contacts to your Google account (your mail), your contacts are synchronised and backed up to the server.

So even if you lose your phone, you can simply sign in to your Google account on another device and the contacts are all restored. This has worked for me since 2016 and I recommend you let it work for you too.

4. Easy sign up and login

I’m certain that if you have ever had to login on up to seven sites on the internet, at least three offered you the chance to sign in with Google. The Google sign in integration feature allows you simply create an account with a lot of platforms, as well as save your passwords for you, if you are using Chrome.

5. Synchronise Game Progress

If you are a frequent gamer, I guarantee that you already use the Google Play Games feature a lot. Acting as a sort of library for games on Play Store, the Play Games app gathers them in one place, and the best part is that you can sign in with your gamer profile account and save your progress. This ensures that your achievements and game progress are stored and can be transferred across devices.

6. Google Photos

If you love photos and organisation, then you would love Google Photos. With Photos, you can store, classify, and back up pictures for future reference. It also semi automatically matches profiles of people recognised by the AI, allowing you to easily group them.

It is another feature that allows you switch across devices and access your photos. Photos also allow you share pictures with other people across the app, for editing and download.

7. Google Maps

It would take me 12 minutes to get to the University of Jos from my house by motorcycle, and 17 hours to get to Lagos from Jos by car. What’s my source? Google Maps!

For those who haven’t explored the Google Maps app yet, it is an awesome app that allows you to have a general view of the earth. With different view modes, you can pan around the globe, get transportation directions to wherever you desire to go, and even find services near you. These include businesses, gas stores, eateries, and fun spots, among others.

8. Password Storage with Chrome

Ever forgotten a password, especially those long ones you wanted to make unique? Well, it doesn’t have to be so with Google Chrome. With Chrome, you have a handy password manager that not only saves your login passwords, but also suggests strong passwords for you if you ever need their help with that.

9. Duo

Google Duo is a free, simple, easy-to-use video calling and messaging app. With it, you can call up to 32 people and engage in conversations across a highly secure end-to-end encrypted system.

The app has been rather unpopular in many circles but is a really helpful app, if you can get to it.

10. Meet

Now found with the Gmail app, Google Meet is Google’s response to Zoom. A lighter, simpler app, Meet allows you to host and join virtual meetings online. It also gives you a degree of privacy as only people who have your code can join in the meeting.

Unlike Duo, Meet isn’t as secure and only uses a simple encryption system. This notwithstanding, there are reports that Google plans to replace Duo with Meet.

I personally love the Meet app and prefer it over Zoom and Duo.

There it is. You now know 10 ways to get more out of your phone using Google and its apps. If you have something to share or ask, please do so in the Comments section below. 

Stay smart!