We all know that smartphones do much more than just make phone calls. They serve as cameras, GPS navigators, music players, portable televisions, web browsers, and even flashlights, making other gadgets that serve those odd purposes almost obsolete.
But your phone can replace other tools, like dice, guitar tuners, and bubble levels, with the help of Google. You don’t need to install an app to access them unless you want to use the Google app or the Google Assistant and don’t already have one (many Android phones come with at least one pre-installed).
Google search tools
These tools below can be accessed on your iPhone or Android phone by doing a Google search in your browser at google.com Or by searching the free Google app for iOS or android. Some of them can even be summoned using the Google Assistant.
When searching for these tools, you can click the button with the chevron pointing down to find other available tools. You’ll see a Games and Games tab, but we’re currently focused on Tools. All but one of these tools can also be accessed via desktop browsers.
1. Flip a coin
Search for “flip a coin” to get to Google Coin. The virtual coin will spin and flip before landing on its side. Press the “FLIP AGAIN” button to repeat.
2. Rolling a block or set of dice
Search Google for “roll a dice” or “roll a dice” to roll a six-sided die. You can also select multiple dice and other types of dice.
There are dice with 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 20 sides. For example, “roll 3 d12” gives you three 12-sided dice, while “roll 5 d20” gives you five 20-sided dice. Google will display the rolled dice and the resulting total number.
Using the onscreen interface, you can click the “roll” button to roll the dice again. Click on the dice in the white space to clear it. In the toolbar below the white area, click Template Options to roll an additional template onto the white area. You can also click the +/- button to add a rate to the lists total.
3. Spinner
If you’d rather spin a wheel for a random number generator, Google has you covered, too. Search for “Spinner” to access the six-digit virtual spinner. You can activate it by scrolling the wheel or clicking the “SPIN” button below it. Above the spinner to the left is a drop-down menu for customizing the wheel size, up to 20 digits. Above and to the right, you’ll see a button to switch between a number and a spinner, which also responds to touch gestures.
4. Bubble level
This requires access to your smartphone or tablet’s existing motion and orientation sensors, which means it won’t work on a desktop browser. On iPhones and iPads, you’ll need to tap the “Touch to activate” button and then tap the “Allow” button to give Google access to motion and orientation.
Once it’s active, place any edge of your smartphone on the surface you’re trying to flatten. The virtual bubble level gives you a visual indication of how level the surface is, along with a readout of how many degrees the surface is off level. You can also lay your device flat on horizontal surfaces such as floors and tables.
iPhone can already do this in measurement applicationbut Google does too.
5. Color picker
Search “color picker” to find this invaluable tool for graphic artists. Drag the slider to select a color swatch, then click and drag the cursor in the color spectrum to dial the selected color. You can also set RGB and CMYK values or write HEX code to specify a specific color.
Once you have the color you want, click the copy button next to the HEX symbol to copy it to the keyboard clipboard, or click and select other values to copy.
6. Google Tuner
This won’t replace the Boss Tuner on my pedal board for live performances, but it’s a useful alternative for impromptu practice at home.
After searching for “Google Tuner” via your web browser or the Google app for iOS, tap on Microphone. On iPhones and iPads, you’ll need to grant Google Microphone access permissions. Now start playing your instrument or singing notes. The tuner will measure your output and tell you if you need to adjust it up or down.
If you access Google Tuner via the Google app on Android, tap the “Tune” button. This will open the tuner in a new web page. Tap on the microphone to start tuning.
7. Metronome
While not as elegant as a mechanical metronome, it does its job for practice. After searching Google for “metronome,” drag the slider or tap the + or – sign to dial your beats per minute, then hit play to produce clicks in the 4/4 time signature.
8. Meditate
Search “meditation” for this one-minute breathing exercise. Press the play button, then follow the animated breathing instructions.
9. Calculator
This tool is mostly moot, considering that every Android smartphone and iPhone comes with a calculator app. However, iPads don’t come poorly with a stock calculator app, so if you don’t want to buy a calculator app, use an ad-supported app, or Try accounts in Spotlightyou can search Google for “calculator”.
On smartphones, you can switch between standard and scientific, but on desktop and tablet views, you can have both versions side by side. Note: This is the only tool that does not allow you to access other tools.
10. Pick a number
Although this tool does not appear among the expanded library of tools, it does provide access to it. Search for “select a number”, and the search engine will return a result between 1 and 10. You can modify the minimum and maximum as you see fit, then click the “Create” button to choose again.
google assistant commands
For those who use the Google Assistant via the mobile app for iOS or android or Google Nest smart home screen, you can ask Google to access the widgets below. Each is accompanied by a neat animation of the tool and the resulting number. You can repeat the action or access other tools by clicking on the buttons at the bottom of the screen.
- flip a coin: Say “OK Google, flip a coin,” and the Assistant will flip a virtual coin on the screen while announcing the result. There are four different currencies that the assistant will flip for variety.
- roll the dice: Ask Google to “roll the dice” to roll a six-sided die. You can tell Google to roll multiple dice by adding the number to the command (for example, “OK Google, roll two dice”) or roll a specific type of die (for example, “OK Google, roll three D20 dice”).
- Choose a number: Ask Google to choose a number between two numbers, and the assistant will roll a ball with the randomly generated number emblazoned on it.
These commands also work with Google Nest smart speakers, though the speakers will only dictate the outcome of the sound.
Originally posted 2022-12-30 14:56:04.