PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Google Assistant Gets Smarter With Voice-Activated Snapshot

The two-year-old feature can now be summoned with a voice command and makes personalized recommendations.

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS
(Photo via Google/YouTube)


Two years after introducing Snapshot, Google is introducing new features to make the Assistant function more convenient for Android and iOS users.

Rather than navigating to the app and tapping an icon, users can now just say, "Hey Google, show me my day" to get a rundown of local weather, calendar events, and reminders—including upcoming birthdays and holidays.

"Your Snapshot will adjust based on the time of day and your interactions with Google Assistant," product manager Jacquelle Horton wrote in a blog announcement. "For example, in the morning you will see a card about your commute, weather, to-dos, and top headlines."

The fun doesn't end there, though. Google is also adding tailored recommendations based on users' preferences for recipes, podcasts, and restaurants. Looking for inspiration ahead of a dinner party? Want to learn more about the world and your niche interests? Just tap into Snapshot.

"Snapshot is the best place to see everything you've got going on in one place," according to Horton, who tipped notifications about flight and event updates, upcoming bills, and due-date reminders. Never forget another birthday with Google Assistant's gentle nudge to call, text, or even sing a celebratory song.

The feature is now live for those using English as their default language, and will continue to roll out to additional languages "in the coming months." "This is just the beginning," the blog said. "We will continue to explore new ways for Google Assistant to be there to help before you even need to ask for it."

Google initially launched Snapshot—a "visual overview of your day"—in July 2018, putting travel times, restaurant reservations, stocks, incoming packages, and more front and center on iOS and Android devices.

Further Reading

Mobile App Reviews

Mobile App Best Picks

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

Read full bio