Google Is Working on Removing “Hey Google” for Certain Phrases

Google is working on eliminating the need to say "Hey Google" before some common commands for its voice assistant. 

According to 9to5Google, the tech giant is working on the development of “quick phrases,” so you won’t have to prompt the voice assistant every time you need something. Specifically, quick phrases would work with the most-asked commands, such as "turn up the volume," "create a reminder," "set an alarm for 8 a.m.," "what’s the weather," and more. 

The commands you can choose to be quick phrases reportedly are categorized as Recommended, Alarms, Connect, General info, Lights, Media Controls, Timers, and To-Dos. 9to5Google said you'd have to pick and choose which command(s) you want to set as a quick phrase. 

The feature originally was spotted in April, but it looks like Google has been working on it since then and has changed the name from "voice shortcuts." However, Google hasn’t officially confirmed the feature or when it will be more broadly available to the public. 

This type of tech isn’t exactly new, and other voice assistants have implemented ways to command a task without having to call it by its name to wake it up. For example, in 2018, Amazon removed the need to say "Hey Alexa" for follow-up commands, so you wouldn't have to say the phrase before a series of multiple questions. 

As voice assistants get smarter and have more abilities, removing the need to say their "name" makes the conversation more natural and useful for features like helping your child learn to read and helping you practice your small talk skills.