Ever since Assistant rolled out, you have been able to ask it to play any YouTube music video you wanted, except you had to say "watch [this video] on YouTube" from your phone, or if you were using a Google Home speaker, you could ask to "play [something] on the tv/chromecast." The "watch," "on YouTube," and, "on tv" distinctions had to be used, because Assistant considered YouTube as a video source (like Netflix) and not a music one (like Play Music). However, many of you go to YouTube as the first (and maybe only) music source and if you're one of these users, you'll be happy to know you can finally tell Assistant to set YouTube as your default music provider.
Read MoreGoogle rolls out fix for setting alarms and reminders on Google Home speakers
Asking a Google Home to set an alarm or reminder is a rudimentary use for one of those smart speakers. But it seems some users recently found that their Google Home failed to sound alarms and reminders that were set. Now Google is saying that a fix has been rolled out and those functions are working again.
Read MoreGoogle Store launches in Singapore with Pixel 2 XL, Google Homes, Chromecast, and more
Buying Google's gadgets can be very difficult if you live in a country where they're not officially available. Overpriced black markets, questionable imports, and difficulty of finding support are some of the issues you face. But after today, that won't be the case for Android and Google fans in Singapore as the official Store is now launched in their country.
Read MoreGoogle Home tips have started appearing on Chromecast, and not everyone's happy about it
Google has been working toward making the Chromecast home screen a bit more useful with features like weather and YouTube searches. Now, something new is showing up: Google Home tips. Although, some people prefer to think of these as "ads," and they are not pleased.
Read More[Update: Fixed] Google thinks the Home Mini is a 'Vintage Retro Biscuit Tin'
"Ok Google, remind me to fill you up with chocolate hobnobs."
Thanks to a wonderful error spotted in the UK, the shopping card in Google Search seems to think Google Home Mini is a 'Vintage Retro Biscuit Tin.' I'm sure bugs of this sort happen all the time, but it's especially funny that it's happened to one of Google's own devices.
Read MoreTip: Ask Google Home to find your missing phone
Google's Find My Device service offers an invaluable tool for tracking down a missing phone or tablet, combining GPS positioning with an audible alert to let you quickly locate your missing hardware. And with tools to remotely lock or erase your device, it also helps ensure your data's safe until you get your hands back on your gear. But for as useful as it can be, you still need access to some device in order to perform the search, and especially if you keep your phone and laptop in the same bag, that can be a problem. Fortunately, it's also one that Google Home is ready to solve.
Read MoreGoogle and Netflix collaborate on Lost in Space game for Google Home
As well as having tons of practical uses, Google Home also offers plenty of fun little distractions. You can ask the Assistant to tell you jokes or facts, and even play games with it. Tie-ins were inevitable, and Google joined forces with Netflix for a Stranger Things game last year, in which you could chat with Dustin on his trusty walkie-talkie. Lost in Space is Netflix's latest hit show, and there's a new Google Home game to go with it.
Read MoreIkea TRÅDFRI smart lights can now be controlled from Google Home and Assistant
Ikea's Tradfri are one of the cheapest smart lighting solutions around and they're available and tailored for several countries around the world. For a while though, the only smart way to control them was through the Android and iOS app - no voice assistant was compatible. Then Alexa followed by HomeKit were supported and Google Home users were left waiting... and waiting... and waiting until today.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Unit conversions are currently broken on Google Assistant [Update]
The Google Assistant can control smart home devices, set calendar reminders, and play almost any piece of music in the world. It's also good at unit conversions, and that happens to be something I use quite often. Not right now, though. Unit conversions are broken on Assistant across all devices.
Read More[Update: Try Premium+, just 99p for 3 months] Deezer is now available on Google Home devices in the UK
At I/O in May 2017, Google announced some new compatibility for playing music on Google Home which included the subscription service Deezer. Users in Germany and France have been able to link their Deezer accounts and request music via the Google Assistant since August last year, but until now the same functionality has been missing in the UK.
As of today, users with a Premium+ subscription (costing £9.99) can add Deezer to their list of music services accessible by their Google Home device. It can also be set as the default music app, so any general requests to the Assistant for songs, albums, and artists will automatically go through Deezer.
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