Want to give Google Assistant an upgrade? Here's how to swap it out for the company's more powerful AI and what Gemini can do for you.
1 day, 23 hoursLance Whitney
Contributor
![](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/authors/01nYOY90cJSaLGCr1rVFroy.jpg)
My Experience
I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.
My Areas of Expertise
I've used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I'm well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I'm always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about cybersecurity, so that's become another key area for me.
The Tech I Use
My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 14 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it's time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.
Recent Articles By Lance Whitney
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How to Replace Google Assistant With Gemini AI on Your Android Device
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How to Use and Customize the Control Center on Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
For quick access to frequently used apps and settings, Control Center is just a swipe or click away. And with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, it's even easier to customize and use.
4 days, 21 hours -
How to Set Up Apple Family Sharing for Purchases and iCloud Storage
Using Apple’s Family Sharing plan, you can share iTunes and App Store purchases, Apple subscriptions, and even iCloud storage space.
1 week, 1 day -
All Aboard: How to Use Your Phone to Pay for the Subway, Bus, or Train
Don't waste time lining up to buy a mass transit card. You can purchase bus and train fare using a tap-and-pay method on your mobile phone. Here’s how it works on iPhone and Android.
1 week, 1 day -
How to Use the App Library to Organize All the Apps on Your iPhone or iPad
Thanks to Apple's App Library, you no longer have to keep every app on the Home screen. iPhone and iPad apps are automatically organized into folders so you can find them easier.
1 week, 1 day -
Can You Keep a Secret? How to Hide and Lock Apps on Your iPhone
With iOS 18 installed on your iPhone, you can add an extra layer of security to certain apps so people with access to your phone can't sneak a peek.
1 week, 2 days -
Ditch Google: How to Store Credit Cards, Secure Logins With Samsung Wallet
If you're looking for mobile payment options beyond Google Wallet, Samsung phone owners can use Samsung Wallet to purchase items, access gift cards, and earn cash back rewards.
1 week, 4 days -
Organize Your Apple Photos: How to Create, Edit, and Share iPhone Albums
Stop scrolling through thousands of iPhone snaps. If your Apple Photos app is a mess, here's how to organize your iPhone pictures into shareable albums.
1 week, 5 days -
Make It Yours: How to Edit the Lock Screen on Your iPhone or iPad
Apple provides a host of ways to personalize the Lock Screen on your iPhone and iPad with custom wallpapers, backgrounds, and widgets.
1 week, 6 days -
Beyond Texting: 25 Cool Tricks for Using Apple Messages
Apple regularly adds new capabilities to its messaging app, and iOS/iPadOS 18 kicks in several helpful new features. Here’s how to tap into them all.
2 weeks, 6 days -
How to Use Google Wallet to Store Your Credit Cards, Train Tickets, ID, and More
With the demise of the Google Pay brand, Google Wallet is the new go-to mobile payment service on Android devices. Here's how to set up it up and pay for things from the app.
3 weeks -
Send It Later: How to Schedule a Text Message on Your iPhone
With iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you can save your late-night musings for a more decent hour by setting a text message to go at a specific time in Apple Messages.
3 weeks -
How to Use Google Gemini AI: 14 Ways It Can Make Your Life Easier
Gemini can answer questions, provide information, generate content, and integrate with other Google apps and services. Here’s how to take advantage of Google’s AI.
3 weeks, 4 days -
How to Store Logins on Your iPhone With the Apple Passwords App
Included with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, Apple's version of a password manager lets you create, control, and share passcodes across Apple devices.
4 weeks, 1 day -
Meta Has an AI Chatbot: How to Make It Work for You
Meta AI has triggered concerns over privacy and accuracy, but you can still benefit from the chatbot if you know how and where to use it.
1 month -
No Time for Huge PDFs? How to Ask Adobe's AI Assistant to Summarize Files
Adobe's AI Assistant in Acrobat and Reader can answer questions about a PDF and even help you generate content based on the information in the file.
1 month, 1 week -
Pump Up the Jam: How to Connect Your Amazon Echo to an External Speaker
Amazon's Echo devices are inexpensive and portable, but the Echo Dot and Echo Pop don't have great sound. Pump up the sound on your Alexa device by connecting it to an external speaker.
1 month, 2 weeks -
Just Drop In: How to Call Someone From Your Amazon Echo
You can make phone calls from an Echo device or the Alexa app, giving you hands-free options for calling family, friends, and other people.
1 month, 2 weeks -
How to Let Multiple People (Including Your Kids) Use the Same Amazon Echo
Your entire family can join in on the fun of your Alexa device. Here's how to set up an Amazon Household and add adults, teenagers, and kids to the mix.
1 month, 2 weeks -
How to Listen to Music on an Amazon Echo Device
Alexa is a jack of all trades, but Amazon's digital assistant can also help you listen to music via Pandora, Spotify, and other streaming services on your Echo device. Here's how.
1 month, 2 weeks