Google has added the ability for users to tune their musical instrument using search, joining the existing functionality available on the Google Assistant.
The new service, which users can access by searching for “Google tuner”, will load a chromatic tuner similar to some of the apps available in the App Store or Play Store. You’ll need to enable the microphone, if you haven’t done so already.
From here, you’ll be able to play strings on your guitar and see a visualisation of whether it’s flat, sharp or just right. It’s quite basic, but works pretty well (via Android Police).
You won’t be able to access different tunings like ‘half step down’ or ‘drop D’ so you’ll need to find those notes manually using the on-screen indicator. For a deeper experience, you’ll need something like the existing Fender Tune app, which is my tuning app of choice.
However, this new functionality could be handy in a pinch for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s available on mobile and desktop, via voice and keyboard search, and it’s platform agnostic so Android and iPhone users can jump on board.
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To access the existing voice functionality, users can say “Hey Google, tune my instrument” or “Hey Google, play a G” if you’re comfortable with turning by ear. The Google Assistant feature has been available for ages, so it’s good to see Google add another handy skill to search.
It joins other offbeat Google Search features like the ability to play Pac-Man, flip a coin, roll a dice, set a timer, act as a calculator, get up to date flight information, measure your internet speed, show your current IP address, load a spirit level, check a restaurant’s average wait time, view time zones, get parcel delivery updates and much, much more.
What’s your favourite weird and wonderful Google Search feature? Let us know @trustedreviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
