How to Get Google Maps to Speak
Are you tired of being on the receiving end of someone’s reaction when they start yelling at them for not knowing where to go? Do you want to be the one who gets to have a conversation with Google Maps, where you can ask it to speak and it will respond? Well, you’re in luck! This article will guide you through the process of getting Google Maps to speak, making it a fun and interactive experience.
Getting Started
Before we dive into the process, let’s cover the basics. Google Maps is a great service that allows you to get directions, view maps, and even get text-to-speech output. However, it doesn’t have a built-in speech feature. This means that you’ll need to use a third-party app or device to enable speech output.
Choosing a Device or App
There are several options for devices and apps that can enable speech output. Here are a few popular choices:
- Google Home (speakers and smart displays)
- Amazon Echo (speakers)
- Google Pixel (smartphones and tablets)
- Apple iPhone (smartphones and iPads)
- Tablet apps (e.g. speech-to-text apps like Siri or Dragon NaturallySpeaking)
Enabling Speech Output
Once you’ve chosen a device or app, you’ll need to enable speech output. Here’s how to do it:
- Google Home:
- Access the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet
- Go to Settings > Language > Speech Recognition
- Turn on Speech recognition
- Amazon Echo:
- Access the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet
- Go to Settings > Speech and Vision
- Turn on Text-to-speech
- Google Pixel:
- Go to Settings > Google Assistant
- Enable Voice Actions
- Apple iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Google Search
- Enable Text-to-speech
Getting Google Maps to Speak
Now that you’ve enabled speech output on your device or app, you’re ready to get Google Maps to speak. Here’s how:
- Google Home:
- Open the Google Home app on your smartphone or tablet
- Say "Ok Google, speak [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
- Amazon Echo:
- Say "Alexa, speak [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
- Google Pixel:
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone or tablet
- Tap the microphone icon (looks like a speech bubble) at the top of the screen
- Say "Speak [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
- Apple iPhone:
- Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone
- Tap the microphone icon (looks like a speech bubble) at the top of the screen
- Say "Speak [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
Using Speech-to-Text
One of the benefits of having Google Maps speak is that you can use speech-to-text to navigate. This means that you can use voice commands to navigate through your location.
- Google Home:
- Say "Ok Google, navigate to [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
- Amazon Echo:
- Say "Alexa, navigate to [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
- Google Pixel:
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone or tablet
- Tap the microphone icon (looks like a speech bubble) at the top of the screen
- Say "Speak [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
- Apple iPhone:
- Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone
- Tap the microphone icon (looks like a speech bubble) at the top of the screen
- Say "Speak [City/Route]" (replace [City/Route] with the name of the place you want to get directions to)
- Google Maps will respond with directions and text-to-speech output
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks to make your Google Maps experience even more enjoyable:
- Use a comfortable microphone: Make sure that the microphone on your device is clean and free of obstructions. A good rule of thumb is to have a microphone that is at least 1-2 inches away from your device.
- Use a high-quality speaker: If you’re using a speaker, make sure that it is in good condition. A good rule of thumb is to have a speaker that is at least 2-3 feet away from your device.
- Experiment with different commands: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different commands and phrases. You might be surprised at how well Google Maps responds!
Conclusion
Getting Google Maps to speak is a fun and interactive experience that can make your daily commute or travels even more enjoyable. By following these steps and tips, you can get Google Maps to speak and use speech-to-text to navigate. Happy navigating!