Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile

Chrome to Phone, Voice Actions Come to Android 2.2

Nick Mokey
By

It’s a good day to count yourself in the Google Android camp. The new Motorola Droid 2 dropped on Verizon, analysts report Android  has clawed out even more market share, Sony has adopted it for its upcoming PlayStation phone, and now Google has tacked on two interesting – and free – new feature for Android users.

At a press conference in San Francisco, the company revealed voice actions, which allow Android phones to respond to voice commands, and the new Chrome to Phone extension, which makes it easier to whip some desktop reading off to your smartphone for later reading. Both are available immediately for free, but only on Android 2.2.

Recommended Videos

Voice Actions

Voice actions expand on the original voice search option within Android by adding a whole set of commands to control in-phone actions. For instance, you can say “send text to Joe I’ll be late for soccer,” “call Rovente Pizza,” or “directions to Seaside, Oregon” and the phone will comply. The full list of actions includes:

  • send text to [contact] [message]
  • listen to [artist/song/album]
  • call [business]
  • call [contact]
  • send email to [contact] [message]
  • go to [website]
  • note to self [note]
  • navigate to [location/business name]
  • directions to [location/business name]
  • map of [location]

The obvious caveat here: Voice recognition seldom works as accurately as you hope, but the Phone allows you to review and fix commands before it executes them, and Google claims it is continuing to improve the technology as it rolls out new features.

Related

Chrome to Phone

Since most smartphone users surf on both their phones and computers, Chrome to Phone makes it easier to share information from one to the other. After installing the Chrome extension, which was developed by Google engineer Dave Burke in his “20 percent time,” you can send links from any computer to your smartphone with the click of a button. Besides sites, it also makes it possible to send phone numbers and addresses – like when you’ve decided on a spot for dinner and want to zip it off to your phone before you leave the house. Unfortunately, Google hasn’t yet enabled the reverse flow of information to send sites you stumble across on your phone to your desktop browser.


Check out the demos below!


Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Nick Mokey
Nick Mokey
Managing Editor
As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…
How to track an Android phone (or other device)
Sage green Pixel 6a and Snow Pixel 7a in hand

Losing your smartphone can be an absolute nightmare. Not only does your smartphone have all of your most precious photos, videos, and chats saved on it, but it may have information of a more sensitive nature too (like banking apps). That's a big part of the reason why we all experience that familiar skipped heartbeat when we realize our phone isn't where we expect it to be. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can keep track of all of your smart devices, whether phones or tablets, and even smartwatches.

Read more
How to record phone calls on your Android phone
Google Pixel 3 XL review

There might be times you need to record a call, like when you’re on an important work call with someone, and recording it is easier than trying to remember all the details later. Although Android devices don’t have the native ability to do so, you can use Google Voice or even turn to an external recording device to get the job done.

Read more
How to use Android Recovery Mode to fix your phone or tablet
Pixel 3 recovery mode

Here's an unfun scenario: You've got one of the best Android phones or tablets, but things aren't working right. Typical virus scans and other troubleshooting fixes aren't working. It is time to use recovery mode. This mode allows you to reboot your system and get a fresh start without any viruses or other issues that were potentially causing you trouble.

Unfortunately, there's no one standard way to get into Recovery Mode. In other words, Samsung Galaxy phones and HTC phones have different pathways into the modes. Luckily for you, however, we have the most complete guide to entering Recovery Mode and you should be able to figure out how to get in on just about any device using the steps below.

Read more