20 actions were just added to Google Home, including Rotten Tomatoes and WikiHow

By Lulu Chang April 13, 2017

google home version 23 speaker 1142x761 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google Home isn’t slowing down in its mission to catch up to competitor smart home hub Amazon Echo, and it made significant progress this last week. The AI-based assistant added no fewer than 20 new skills, which means that you can now get tips for your home makeover or read reviews for your next movie night, all by just talking to Google Assistant.

In total, there are now more than 170 actions available in the Google Home app, which is pretty impressive considering the platform was only launched five months ago. The newest actions to join the platform include DIY tips from Wikihow, movie reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, a concierge from Airbnb, and cooking commands from Anova, just to name a few.

The WikiHow action pulls from an impressive database of 180,000 articles, so whether you want to learn more about a particular subject or pick up a new skill, you’ll probably find an answer. And because your interactions with Assistant will probably be a bit longer with the WikiHow action, you’ll sometimes have to say “Next” in order to go to the next step.

As for the Rotten Tomatoes integration, you can now ask your Google Home about nearly any title, and you’ll get the film’s review, its release date, and a couple sentences on the plot. For the time being, this action applies only to movies and not shows, but it’s possible that Rotten Tomatoes will expand the functionality in the future.

With the Airbnb Concierge action, guests can check in, ask about house rules, find the Wi-Fi password, or host contact information, all from a centralized hub. Hosts can also leave recommendations for their guests with Google Home. And thanks to Anova’s new action, you can now control your sous vide machine with nothing more than your voice (something the company introduced to Alexa relatively recently, too).

You can check out more available skills here, and start making the most of your smart home.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Smart Home

How to fix a Yale Assure Lock 2 that won’t connect to Wi-Fi

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock Deadbolt keypad being used by someone.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is one of the best smart locks, as it's available in a variety of formats and makes it easy to keep tabs on your front door when away from home. Much of this functionality is driven by support for Wi-Fi connections on select models, as you can quickly connect the unit to your home network and access all its features via its companion mobile app.

However, some users may notice their Yale Assure Lock 2 appears offline or that it's no longer connected to Wi-Fi. It can be a frustrating issue to deal with, as a lock that's offline won't let you access its best features – meaning you'll want to get it back online as soon as possible.

Deals

Get 50% off these incredible scent diffusers to luxuriate your living space

Hotel Collection scent diffuser with unique oils on sale

An excellent and convenient way to fill your home with luxurious, aromatic scents is to employ a diffuser, an electronic device that turns perfume-like oils into mist and disperses it into the surrounding air, in this case, the air in your living space or home. Hotel Collection is our favorite place to shop for new diffusers, supplies like oils, and other notable accessories. And wouldn't you know it? Right now, they're offering 50% off large diffusers when you use code JUSTFORYOU50 at checkout. That remarkable deal allows you to save half of the biggest diffusers from Hotel Collection, like the Penthouse or the Presidential models. They offer coverage for areas from 1,200 square feet up to 6,000 square feet, which means your entire home will smell splendid. Act soon because the deal will be over before you know it.
Shop Now

Why you should buy a Hotel Collection scent diffuser for your home
You deserve a true sanctuary to come home to. Not just one that is clean and inviting but also smells divine, like the scent of homecooked baking, fresh linens, or . You know, the kind of encapsulating scents befitting of an elegant hotel -- only within the comfort of your home. That's precisely what Hotel Collection diffusers and scents can bring into your livable spaces.

Starting with the diffusers that make it all happen, there are a variety of options, from small, like the Studio Pro Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 600 square feet, to extra-large, like the Double Presidential Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 6,00 square feet. Whatever the size of your home, property, or living space, from condos to mansions, Hotel Collection has you covered.

Smart Home

How to format the microSD card on Tapo security cameras

The Tapo C120 out in the rain.

One of the most compelling features of Tapo products (like the Wire-Free 2K Outdoor Cam and Indoor/Outdoor Cam) is support for local storage. Many Tapo security cameras let you install a microSD card, so you don't have to rely on cloud storage to save all your videos – instead, they're neatly stored right on your camera. Before you can start using local storage, however, you'll need to format your microSD card. Tapo has some pretty strict requirements for how this works, but the process itself is remarkably simple.

Ready to start saving all your video clips locally? Here's how to format the microSD card on your Tapo security camera.