The Complete Guide to Staying Productive Using Voice Assistant

Most people try their voice assistant for a few simple tasks—asking Siri the weather, or Google a random factoid—but don’t dive much deeper. Maybe it seems too complicated, you’re worried about privacy, or you just feel weird talking to yourself.

This is where I was a few years ago. But during the pandemic, with more time at home, I started to use voice for more tasks. I found it helpful ergonomically—voice gave my eyes, fingers, back, and neck a break from straining over my computer while working from home. It also saved me time with my to-do list while on the road, even helping my wife and I keep our son, and ourselves, entertained.

Whether you drive a lot, have your hands full caring for a child, need a break from hunching over your computer, or just love the sound of your voice, we’ve put together a one-stop guide on integrating voice assistants in your life, with suggestions from me and other Doisters on how to save time, get productive, and have fun using them. With a bit of upfront investment to onboard yourself, you’ll save a ton of time in the long run. Start with the first section if you’re totally new to voice, or skip directly to our suggestions if you’re already intermediate.

If you’re new(ish) to voice

The three major voice assistants from Amazon, Apple and Google broadly work the same way. They’re each powered by AI to enable you to say commands that your smart device carries out, such as looking up directions or searching online. The three assistants also work with an array of smart devices and appliances, meaning you can use them for everything from turning on the lights to vacuuming. Here’s a run-down with plenty of examples.

Amazon’s Alexa

Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa is available on the Echo and other Amazon smart speakers. Although Amazon doesn’t make smartphones, you can use Alexa on Android phones and iPhones.

Workflows: In addition to having most of the standard voice activations (giving the weather, playing music, reading the news), you can expand Alexa’s capabilities by adding “skills” which are basically like apps that enable you to perform a task (like ordering food, meditating, or controlling smart home devices).

Smart devices: Alexa hooks up to an array of smart devices, including lighting, home security, and even automatic pet feeders.

Apple’s Siri on iOS

Siri is Apple’s voice assistant and is available on iPhones, iPads, or Homepod speakers through the iOS operating system.

• Workflows: To create workflows for tasks, such as turning on lights or adding new events to your calendar, you’ll use the shortcuts function. You can get to shortcuts through several avenues: an app on your phone, your home screen, a widget, the Apple watch, another app’s share function, or by calling up Siri.
• Smart devices: If you’re looking for smart devices that are compatible with iOS, check that it works with Apple HomeKit or Apple AirPlay.

Google

Google doesn’t have a special name for its voice assistant, which is available on Android phones and Home speaker devices. It leverages Google’s expertise with voice recognition, which they pull from data captured through your use of an Android phone and Google’s apps, such as Chrome, Gmail, and Google Maps. You can also use Assistant on iOS devices, though functionality is more limited.

• Workflows: Google workflows are known as routines and you can create them by opening Assistant settings and tapping Routines, or saying “Hey, Google, open routine settings.” It lets you combine activities. For example, when you say “I’m home,” it could turn on the lights and increase the thermostat.
• Smart devices: For smart devices compatible with Google, check out the Google Nest store.

Voice assistants and privacy

One of the leading concerns about voice assistants is privacy, and it’s something we suggest you research to figure out your comfort level. You can learn more about privacy protections and how to protect your privacy when using voice technology from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission or the European Union.

Work

Voice assistant is ideal for getting your work space ready at the beginning of the day and giving yourself, and your hunched over back and strained eyes, a break from your screen.

Set a vibe for your office

Create the right mood for your workspace by using voice to set your optimal lighting and create an atmosphere of calm with your favorite music. All three assistants can be set up to control voice-enabled lighting and speakers—like a command to turn on a “focus” playlist with tunes that help you feel calm and centered. Doist product designer Alex Muench turns on his Philips Hue lights, which are enabled through Siri and HomeKit, with his HomePod minis, iPhone or Watch. When he tells Siri to turn on “work lights,” his lights get to a brightness level that helps him focus.