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Google Assistant iOS App Gains Support for Siri Shortcuts

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Apr 12, 2001
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Google has updated its Assistant app for iOS to support Siri Shortcuts, enabling users to invoke Google's virtual assistant using Apple's virtual assistant, without even having to launch the app.

siri-shortcuts-google-assistant.jpeg

Once the update has been installed, Assistant users are presented with an "Add to Siri" button that lets them record a phrase of their choosing to be used after saying the "Hey, Siri" command. As long as the iOS device is unlocked, users will then be able to access Assistant by combining the two commands.

The Siri Shortcuts feature also supports additional phrases that users often use with Google Assistant. As The Verge notes, this opens up possibilities for creating custom voice commands for Google actions, including smart home routines, from within Siri.

This isn't the first incidence of virtual assistant crosstalk on Apple devices. Last year, Amazon and Microsoft announced a collaboration that would allow iOS users to access Alexa via the Cortana app, with a "Hey Cortana, open Alexa" voice command.

However, in the latter case, iOS users still can't say "Hey Cortana, open Alexa" from the Home screen, or when the device is locked, because Apple only allows third-party virtual assistants to function within their apps.

Google's Assistant app is a free download for iPhone and iPad, available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Google Assistant iOS App Gains Support for Siri Shortcuts
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/21/google-assistant-ios-siri-shortcuts-support/
This is a very functional upgrade to Siri for me. I just set it up with the keyword of just 'Google'. So 'Hey Siri Google' to trigger it, or hold and just say 'Google'.

Now I can continue using Siri for all of my task related things, which Siri is quite good at (HomeKit, messaging, etc) but invoke the Google Assistant when I need to query the web for information... which Siri is quite bad at.
 
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This could be done with Shortcuts app already. Just create shortcut that opens an app (e.g. google assistant) and record any phrase you want for it.
 
Quick question for you all, can Siri do everything Google Assisant can? I've grown pretty reliant while working have Google assisant order my lunch, make an appt. Send a text to the wife all without ever picking up my phone.
It is a big consideration for me before I make the switch to iOS. I like my macbook alto mac store is more barren than windows store
 
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groadyho said:
Quick question for you all, can Siri do everything Google Assisant can? I've grown pretty reliant while working have Google assisant order my lunch, make an appt. Send a text to the wife all without ever picking up my phone.
It is a big consideration for me before I make the switch to iOS. I like my macbook alto mac store is more barren than windows store
Click to expand...
I have not used Google Assistant, but Siri can make appointments and send a text. I can't think of how you might order lunch though. Siri can answer things like "Where is the nearest Mexican restaurant".
 
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YaBe said:
Next Keynote "We made Siri better, by making it do things trough Google."

We care about your privacy ;)


So actually the improvement in Siri are now made by Alphabet......o_O
Click to expand...
Just mvho but i think in this day amd age privacy is overrated. I don't believe there really is any. If your phone or browser doesn't track you, your isp or cell provider does.
I've always felt Apples claim to privacy was b.s. again, just mvho
[doublepost=1542812555][/doublepost]
Weaselboy said:
I have not used Google Assistant, but Siri can make appointments and send a text. I can't think of how you might order lunch though. Siri can answer things like "Where is the nearest Mexican restaurant".
Click to expand...
Thank you, that would probably be good enough. Have a Happy Thanksgiving
 
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groadyho said:
Quick question for you all, can Siri do everything Google Assisant can? I've grown pretty reliant while working have Google assisant order my lunch, make an appt. Send a text to the wife all without ever picking up my phone.
It is a big consideration for me before I make the switch to iOS. I like my macbook alto mac store is more barren than windows store
Click to expand...

Fwiw you can at least reserve a table using OpenTable, I don’t know about ordering lunch though. I’m sure that you could probably create a Siri shortcut to order lunch from an app though, (provided it supports it).
 
Weaselboy said:
I have not used Google Assistant, but Siri can make appointments and send a text. I can't think of how you might order lunch though. Siri can answer things like "Where is the nearest Mexican restaurant".
Click to expand...
You can create Siri shortcuts to reorder past orders from restaurants with Seamless and Grubhub.
 
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I bought a bunch of Philips Hue lights on a Black Friday deal, and I decided to unwrap the amazon echo dot I bought 2 years ago and "see how bad it was" .... Alexa makes Siri seem retarded! It's much much better. So much, that I bought a further 3 dots on Black Friday deals and now control my lights and my Sonos with Alexa.
 
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groadyho said:
Quick question for you all, can Siri do everything Google Assisant can? I've grown pretty reliant while working have Google assisant order my lunch, make an appt. Send a text to the wife all without ever picking up my phone.
It is a big consideration for me before I make the switch to iOS. I like my macbook alto mac store is more barren than windows store
Click to expand...

Actually not even close. Google Assistant is a lot more powerful than Siri. You get a ton of more information especially like the suggestions you get on top of your search results where they consolidate some of the information you're looking for.

Siri doesn't have any of that. In a way she is kind of useless and only starting to get better.
 
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Tried updating and App Store says item is no longer available. I’m in Canada.
 
jlwarlow said:
It appears to have disappeared for me too in the UK
Click to expand...
I did an update now but it does not show the Add Siri Shortcut option.

Edit... I had to select direct link in this article and it updated to correct version.
 
Weaselboy said:
Just say something like, "Hey Siri schedule an appointment with Ralph at 3pm on Friday" and it will add it to your calendar. It works pretty well in my experience.
Click to expand...
Lol that’s not actually scheduling an appt., that’s making a Calendar event.
 
groadyho said:
Quick question for you all, can Siri do everything Google Assisant can? I've grown pretty reliant while working have Google assisant order my lunch, make an appt. Send a text to the wife all without ever picking up my phone.
It is a big consideration for me before I make the switch to iOS. I like my macbook alto mac store is more barren than windows store
Click to expand...

I don’t know about ordering lunch specifically, but Siri shortcuts are more powerful and more customizable than Google routines. It’s worth reading up on this if you’re thinking about making the switch.
 
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