What does Lucky do?

Lucky sends GIFs to you based on what you type to the bot. For example, if you say “I love you,” the bot might respond with a GIF of hearts. If you text it “Hello,” the bot might respond with a Grizzly bear GIF that waves hello. Or, if you’re not sure what kind of GIF you want to see, you can type a phrase like “Let’s go” to see an entirely random GIF. Plus, Lucky is cute: it’s a little smiley face with its tongue sticking out.

Read More: Here Are the New Updates Coming to Google Voice

Where does Lucky come from?

The Lucky bot was inspired by the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button on Google’s homepage that takes users to random webpages based on what they type into the search bar. Unlike Google Assistant or other helpful bots, the Lucky bot — like the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button itself — is just for fun.

How do I use Lucky?

First, you have to download Google Allo, the chat app on which Lucky resides. To talk with Lucky on Allo, you just have to type in @lucky followed by a phrase describing the GIF you want to see.

Can I start using Lucky now?

Maybe. Some Allo users have already started interacting with the Lucky bot, but the bot hasn’t been showing up on lots of platforms. Don’t give up on Lucky if it takes a while to process your request — sometimes, the bot can take a while to find your GIF. But, your best bet for getting to interact with Lucky when the bot is rolled out on a large scale is by downloading the latest version of Allo from the Google Play Store. Since Lucky hasn’t been rolled out everywhere yet, everyone is still curious about whether or not it’s a fun addition to Allo. We’ll have to wait to see how successful the bot is in the long run.

1. Google Now
   What does Google Now do? Well, a lot of things, it seems. It DJs, identifies songs, performs calculations, will Google anything, and keeps drivers up to date on traffic. It can even tell you where you parked if you’re having a panicky I-have-no-idea-where-my-car-is moment. Some people believe that Google Now is a more proactive version of Siri. As it gathers user data from your Android, it will begin to come up with suggestions based on your search history — it gets to know you in a way that Siri does not. For example, if you’ve looked up an item recently and you walk by a store that carries it, Google Now will let you know.

Read More: Four Calendar Apps to Replace Your Planner

2. Cortana
   The coolest thing about Cortana, and what makes it different, is that it can work across platforms (meaning it is transferrable between an Android phone and a Windows computer or tablet).
   Otherwise, it seems that Cortana operates much like Siri — a voice-activated system that can tap into other services within the phone, like Google, Spotify, alarms, and calendars.

3. Jarvis
   Jarvis is has pretty standard features, but with a cool male British voice to help you along instead of a robotic American female one.

4. Maluuba
   The best part of Maluuba is that it is free. Maluuba appears to be a pretty basic alternative to Siri. You connect your Google account and voilà! It is a personal assistant designed to help you navigate the web, play music, set reminders, and all of the other good things that Siri does.

5. Robin
   Robin, unlike most Android versions of Siri, brings in the attitude that characterizes Apple’s product. In other words, Robin talks back. She is a sassy assistant, if that’s what you’re looking for. Oh, and it’s also free!

6. Assistant.ai
   Another humorous option — like Robin, a robot with some personality. And, like Google Now, Assistant.ai makes suggestions for you based on your preferences and history.

7. Smart Voice Assistant
   Customizable. Ooh. Aah. Meaning you can choose what features your voice activation has control over. Otherwise pretty standard, it seems.

8. Dragon Mobile Assistant
   A basic alternative to Siri. Responds when you say “Hello, Dragon” instead of “Hey, Siri.” Also customizable to meet your preferences and needs.

There are a few more alternatives out there, but these cover the bases with a wide range of feature options. Which one you choose is really up to your own preferences. Siri is certainly not the best personal assistant out there, and Android users are lucky to have so many options to choose from.

If you have never used voice commands on your smartphone, you need to make the switch. Read on and learn why you should use voice commands on your smartphone more often.

Read More: 3 Ways to Make the Most Out of Gmail on Your Android

Notes, Texts, and Email Messages
No matter how many Android keyboard apps you may have tried, some days it seems like you just can’t type anything the right way, or worse, autocorrect seems bound and determined to make you look silly. Enter: the microphone option. You’ve most likely noticed the microphone on your Android phone. Now, you can easily dictate the things you want to remember, create texts, and send off quick, snappy emails in a jiffy. Voice recognition technology is so accurate, you can get your message finished way before you would if you typed it in. Of course, the environment may be less than desirable, but whenever you can use your voice, instead of the keyboard, it’s a plus.

Need Info? Need Google Now
If there’s something you need to know, you don’t have to stop what you are doing to ask a question, find out the weather, or ask for directions. Instead, turn to Google Now. It’s already built right into your Android smartphone. After you activate Google Now for the first time, you can receive timely cards that are based upon your search history. If you are interested in tech, sports, the weather, and recipes, you would receive cards based on these terms. As you keep using the service, it only gets better. Ask Google what you want to know, and you can find out the answer, fast.

Always Listening, Hands-Free Technology
If you are lucky enough to own one of the few smartphones that has always listening, hands-free technology, then you can save yourself several valuable seconds each morning. Do you often misplace your phone? With this kind of tech, after you activate it, you can simply say, “OK Google Now” and it will chime, saving you from having to look for your phone.

Smartphone Voice Commands Keep You Productive
Faster than typing fingers, more options than a keyboard can handle, using smartphone voice commands is a fantastic way to do more. Make sure that your Android smartphone battery doesn’t die before you need it.

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Google Now is voice-activated. Although Google Now provides user-initiated queries (you ask, Google Now answers), the free service that’s a part of an Android phone goes far beyond that. In fact, you may receive timely information that Google Now believes you may want to know, all based on your search habits.

Read More: The Need-to-Know Voice Commands for Google Now

Google Now was first included in Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) back in July of 2012. If you are just now taking Android for a test spin, there’s no better time than now to get familiar with Google Now. It could easily replace your paper schedules, reminders, and let you know if you will need an umbrella during the morning commute.

How to Use Google’s Voice Assistant
To use Google Now, you must first activate “OK, Google.”

1. Open the Google app.
2. At the top left, click the menu icon, then “Settings,” and then “Voice.” Finally, click “OK Google.”
3. Choose when you want your phone to pay attention to you saying, “OK Google.”

Press and hold the home key button and swipe up (or click the Google icon that appears). The prompt will ask if you would like to see more information and use Google Now. After you click “Getting started,” you will cycle through a few different cards to customize your Google Now experience.

You can choose to see your commute time, and even where you parked your car, without a lot of extra searching around. After you have reviewed a card, swipe it to the right to move on the next.

Google Now Apps and Touchless Controls
More than the card system, you can ask questions about something you want to know, to learn the location of a store, or even to call a contact for you. It also works with a host of apps, including Trulia, WhatsApp, and Wink.

You will have to active the Touchless Controls settings for these functions. All you need to do is say “Okay Google Now” three times, so Google can get a good idea of the sound of your voice — and be ready and waiting when you need it the most.

The next time you need directions home, or want to know the hours of your favorite shop, Google Now makes it easy. Just make sure that your Android battery will be charged and ready when you are by installing PowerPRO by PSafe. Receive timely tips to help it last.