This guide will work on both the HD 7 and HD 8. **EDIT, NOTE:** It will probably be better to make sure you have all the core Google Apps and services updated to the latest versions BEFORE you start this guide. Please see this post before you start the guide.
First download and install the Google App, which is required. Also download and install Gboard (this is only required for voice typing).
From the Google app , tap the three bars at the upper left > settings > voice. Set your default language, set speech output to on and download an offline speech set. Then tap 'ok Google' detection and switch ON 'from the Google app'. You can try to turn on 'from any screen', but you won't be able to...yet. Now open the Gboard app and tap voice typing. Select your languages and decide if you don't like bad words. Then go to settings > keyboard and languages > show/hide keyboards > make sure Google voice typing is set to automatic. Now swipe everything closed.
1) Now you need to download and install Activity Launcher. Open it and tap the three bars at the top left and select 'all activities.'
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
2) Scroll down until you see settings. Tap it and scroll until you see 'voice input'. Then tap it.
3) After tapping 'voice input' a screen will pop up with two settings; 'Basic Google recognition' and 'Enhanced Google services.' You need to select 'Enhanced Google services.'
4) When you completed that, stay on that screen and tap the gear to the right of Enhanced Services. Now it brings you back into the voice settings screen.
5) Tap the 'ok Google' detection. Now tap 'from any screen.' Another screen will come up which will allow you to train the Google App with your own voice. Tap next at the bottom right.
6) Now all you need to do is follow the onscreen instructions. You''ll be asked to say 'ok Google' three times. It's best to be in a quiet area so your microphone doesn't record any weird sounds, aside from your voice.
If you use Nova Launcher, go into Nova Settings > gestures and input > and turn on 'ok Google' hot word. Now you should be able to do a voice Google search from ANY screen on your tablet...except the lock screen The app will detect your voice, but the screen has to be unlocked unfortunately. You should also download Google text-to-speech as well. Though you will have to access it using Activity Launcher which will allow you to create a shortcut to it. First you need to bind 'appwidget' to your custom launcher using the steps here. Once you've done that, go into Activity Launcher > all activities > scroll to Google text-to-speech and tap it. Then tap on 'Google TTS voice data' to select your languages. When done, long press on that same item and create shortcut. Yay you're done
I rebooted to recovery, wiped cache, powered down and powered back on. I had to go back into Activity Launcher and re-select 'Enhanced Google services.' This might be due to Amazon apps: SpeechInteractionManager or SpeechUI. Maybe both, but I haven't tried to uninstall them yet because I'm not ready for a reset. If someone could kindly test this for me?
I cannot uninstall or disable Amazon's text-to-speech as it's inside settings and not an APK/package, unless I missed it.
dragonfire1024 said:
i rebooted to recovery, wiped cache, powered down and powered back on. I had to go back into activity launcher and re-select 'enhanced google services.' this might be due to amazon apps: Speechinteractionmanager or speechui. Maybe both, but i haven't tried to uninstall them yet because i'm not ready for a reset. If someone could kindly test this for me?
I cannot uninstall or disable amazon's text-to-speech as it's inside settings and not an apk/package, unless i missed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is called IOVANA TTS
savvytechwinner said:
it is called IOVANA TTS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah. I've had that long disabled. But perhaps that's right. Perhaps all this needs to be done prior to uninstalling the Amazon/IOVANA apps and services.
You can go here to download the Google Assistant launcher shortcut. Though it's missing a tab called 'your stuff.' So this might be fixed by downgrading to an older version of the Google app. Somehow you have to be able to set a reminder with that missing tab, which would add the Google Assistant in the settings menu of the Google App and supposedly fix this issue. I haven't been able to get that to work, even when launching the Assistant app > productivity > reminders.
Also, some of the stuff I read says to try and keep the Google app ALWAYS on. I have white listed it in my 3rd party optimizer app. Also, it won't hurt to install the Nova Google Companion, which allows the Google App aka Google Now to be integrated into Nova Launcher. This should force the Google app to stay open/running.
I think I got it, but I don't really like it. I had a sneaky suspicion this would end up being the case. *sigh*
Before the I get to the 'bad' news, Please make sure ALL Google related Apps, Play Store, Google Play Services, and Google App are ALL updated to the latest stable versions. You will have to install each update manually. Use App Inspector to check the version numbers of all of the below packages. If you have the latest updates, you're good to go.
Google Play Services: Version 11.5.09 (240-164803921)
Google Play Store: Version 8.1.73.S-all [0] [FP] 165518514
Google App: Version 7.9.21.21.arm
Google Assistant launcher shortcut: Version 1.0.4
Nova Google Companion: Version 1.1 (Make sure to turn on 'ok Google' in Nova settings > Gestures and Inputs).
Once you've done that, you should reboot. When your tablet is powered back on, you should do a walk through of all the steps in the OP. If you want to start at step 3, you can use Activity Launcher to create a shortcut for 'voice input'. Make sure to select 'Enhanced Google Services' then tap the gear to the right of it. If the 'from any screen' is in the off position, switch it back on and go through the steps to retrain your voice.
Now for the bad news. The only way I was able to get all this to work, it is a MUST to download and install Google Home :crying::crying::crying: I'm not a fan of Google Home. As of the moment, aside from this guide, it's really quite useless for me. Don't bother trying to get your devices to be detected. I have yet to be able to have it detect anything at all.
Now 'ok Google' will work from ANY screen. It will activate on the lock screen, but the screen will not unlock automatically. I've successfully activated it from the screens of various apps and from the tablet settings. So far I haven't found a screen, app or function where it doesn't activate.
I'm so happy I got it all to work, I haven't rebooted yet because I don't want to get mad in case it fails when booted back up. If it does fail, you'll definitely have to create a shortcut to 'voice input' for easy access.
Ok so I rebooted. It did not hold. However if you made a shortcut for 'voice input', all you have to do is tap it and reselect Enhanced Google Services. I think @savvytechwinner might be right. All of this will probably work like a charm if all installed and activated BEFORE uninstalling the Amazon IOVANA apps and such.
For some reason, this stopped working when downloading and installing the Google App APK. So i went to the Play Store, and it's NOT updated to the version available via APK. I downgraded and reinstalled from the store and it works. No idea if it will after reboot though. If not, all you should have to do it reactivate it via the shortcut described in the last post.
Any News on OK Google on Fire?
I've tried to enable Ok Google in the App but when I enable it, it tryes to connect to something and then says error connecting.
If I retry several times I get to the screen some times where it says say Ok Google 3 times, but it doesn't react to speech at all like get no input.
I've tried this activity manager thing now but no change on described behavior.
iwl said:
Any News on OK Google on Fire?
I've tried to enable Ok Google in the App but when I enable it, it tryes to connect to something and then says error connecting.
If I retry several times I get to the screen some times where it says say Ok Google 3 times, but it doesn't react to speech at all like get no input.
I've tried this activity manager thing now but no change on described behavior.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to use a Launcher that allows shortcuts, like Nova. Create one for the 'voice input' activity and place on desktop. You have to set voice up through shortcut. Select 'enhanced services'. Tap on the gear. Set it up. When you reboot, you have to re enable enhanced services through the shortcut, then tap the gear.
But isn't that short cut thing only for quick reenabling after reboot?
Or is it needed in general to get it working at all, also when manually enabling the first time?
iwl said:
But isn't that short cut thing only for quick reenabling after reboot?
Or is it needed in general to get it working at all, also when manually enabling the first time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you need to use the shortcut after each reboot. Tap on it, select enhanced services, then tap the gear, tap the ok Google option, then say out loud ok Google. Should work every time. Though since the last update to the Google app, I've had some difficulties. I would suggest not letting it update until I can figure out why. It's likely Google is preparing to roll out it's assistant on most Android versions, as they plan to do sometime soon.
EDIT: I have nougat on my new phone which has assistant already in the Google app. It's very cool but I have to relearn how to use it because it does a whole lot more than 'Ok Google.' Siri will have some massive competition when it rolls out completely.
But I have taped the gear from inside the activity manager an tried to set it up but it can't connect to whatever.
Do you think it matters the activity manager is called by that shortcut isn't that for quicker access only?
iwl said:
But I have taped the gear from inside the activity manager an tried to set it up but it can't connect to whatever.
Do you think it matters the activity manager is called by that shortcut isn't that for quicker access only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for quicker access. Did you train a voice yet?
I managed to get the assistant running on this device.
Pressing home button doesn't works! But OK Google brings up the assistant.
DragonFire1024 said:
Just for quicker access. Did you train a voice yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said it allways hangs a while and then says can't connect and don't come to the screen to say OK Google 3 times.
BTW my Fire 7 got also very unresponsiv / slow some apps installed, may be 1 GB Ram just not sufficient, can't recommend, but got it for 27 Euros.
May be I just use it as music player at the stereo, off course voice controll would be nice also.
I've notice the Moto E5 is running a program called "Cricket Software Update" every month. The problem is, the last time it did one of these updates it corrupted the phone and the whole thing had to be reformatted. I'd rather not have to go through that again.
The phone won't let me disable the Cricket Software Update app. Is there any way to figure out which website is sending info to the phone to activate the "Cricket Software Update" program? If I had the host name I could block it so I don't have to worry about my phone getting bricked again. Is there any way to figure this out without having to root?
Any update on this? I still can't figure out how to stop the constant Cricket Software Updates.
motoquestion said:
I've notice the Moto E5 is running a program called "Cricket Software Update" every month. The problem is, the last time it did one of these updates it corrupted the phone and the whole thing had to be reformatted. I'd rather not have to go through that again.
The phone won't let me disable the Cricket Software Update app. Is there any way to figure out which website is sending info to the phone to activate the "Cricket Software Update" program? If I had the host name I could block it so I don't have to worry about my phone getting bricked again. Is there any way to figure this out without having to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i do not have motorola E5 but i am sure. it will work with E5 as well.
To disable auto updates.
Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times
Go back to Settings > Developer Options > Disable Automatic System Updates
Thanks
venakata said:
i do not have motorola E5 but i am sure. it will work with E5 as well.
To disable auto updates.
Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times
Go back to Settings > Developer Options > Disable Automatic System Updates
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately this does not work. I had already enabled Dev Options and disabled "Automatic System Updates," but for some reason the Cricket Software Update manages to bypass this and it still keeps forcing updates. Is there any other way to stop the Cricket Software Update program?
Has there been any update to this? I still can't figure out how to disable the Cricket Software Update.
I really could use some help with this. Now the phone wants to do an update everyday. Can someone please tell me how to stop these annoying updates?
go to settings>apps and notifications>notifications
tap notifications
tap the three vertical dots then tap show system
scroll down to motorola update services and tap it
tap "on" which changes it to off
7407010700 said:
go to settings>apps and notifications>notifications
tap notifications
tap the three vertical dots then tap show system
scroll down to motorola update services and tap it
tap "on" which changes it to off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, that doesn't work either. I need to figure out how to stop the Cricket Software Update program. Is there any other way to disable it?
I just got my Pixel 5a yesterday and immediately am annoyed by the Google stuff. I installed the Nova launcher but still get thrown back to the Pixel launcher or tossed into various assistant screens all over the place. Is there any way to truly turn this stuff off via normal settings? I don't really want to root or get custom firmware, but I despise these forced integrations between everything.
I don't want anything launching of its own volition or because I accidentally touch or look at the phone. I just want the apps to launch when I click them, the 3-button navigation to let me switch between tasks, and a simple homescreen to hold widgets and shortcuts I choose. The first reason I don't want the Pixel launcher is because it doesn't' let me remove the stupid search bar, but I also don't want any of the other hidden and implicit triggers that tie into the assistant.
I also find it annoying that the home button opens some search if I touch it while already on the home screen. Is this coming from the assistant too? I didn't yet find any settings in Nova to adjust the buttons.
I'm with you here. Installed Nova for the exact same reason as you. I do this next thing on all my Android phones: GO to settings > Apps & notifications > see all apps > Google = DISABLE... o some phones it can be uninstalled!
Personally I also disable "Google Play Services for AR" but that is personal choice. I also disable a number of other apps that I know I do not want/use.
I suppose I could use ADB to try and uninstall them, but once they're disabled that is usually good enough. The first one though, Google being disabled, "should" remedy all your issues. I too use the three button navigation and hate ALL assistants!
There's a program on here called 'adpappcontrol' that's great for removing anything you want via ADB.
It's basically just a gui for the command line program. It's worked great for me on at least three phones.
[TOOL] ADB AppControl 1.8.0 🚀 Ultimate App Manager & Debloat Tool + Tweaks
ADB AppControl 🚀 Root is not required. Works with any Android device. Can do almost everything you dreamed about with applications. ADB AppControl - the desktop program, that will allow you to easily manage applications on your android device...
forum.xda-developers.com
Highly recommend. Make sure you tip the dev, since he does it in his spare time.
jaseman said:
I'm with you here. Installed Nova for the exact same reason as you. I do this next thing on all my Android phones: GO to settings > Apps & notifications > see all apps > Google = DISABLE... o some phones it can be uninstalled!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could have sworn I already did that, but just checked and it is enabled. Has yours stayed off? Would the automatic Google Play app updates cause this to be reenabled?
I also now found the Nova setting Gestures -> Home Button that was causing this other search to appear if I press the home button when already on the home screen. Setting it to None with the checkbox still set for Only on main home page seems to give me what I want there...
lightuser said:
I could have sworn I already did that, but just checked and it is enabled. Has yours stayed off? Would the automatic Google Play app updates cause this to be reenabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine has stayed disabled. I can't speak to whether auto updates may have reenabled it. I always turn auto updates off. I like to see what is being updated on my phone.
jaseman said:
Mine has stayed disabled. I can't speak to whether auto updates may have reenabled it. I always turn auto updates off. I like to see what is being updated on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they wont turn it back on but i have found in the past that sometimes with a os update they will re-enable.
AA Notification Forwarder is a companion app for Android Auto to allow any apps notifications to be shown on the cars screen.
Android Auto shows only notifications from messaging apps - but what if you want to get notified about mails and similar stuff? This is where this app comes to the rescue!
Notifications by configured apps are re-sent by AA Notification Forwarder and displayed on your cars screen.
Requirements
Android 11 or higher
Android Auto (duh!)
Download
https://github.com/ztNFny/AANotificationForwarder/releases
InstallationOn Android 13 sideloaded apps are not able to get notification access by default. Your options:
Use apps like King Installer that pretend the app was installed from Play Store
Sideload and manually enable restricted settings (workflow might be different on non-stock Androids):
Sideload the app
Try to enable notification access and get a "Restricted Setting" dialog
Go to Settings - Apps - See all apps, find AA Notification Forwarder and select it
In the overflow menu (3 dots in upper right corner) select Allow restricted settings
Enabling notification access should now work.
Support
It's mostly a "for-me"-project, but I'll try to support a bit here
love to give it a try but i can not seem to find the download link whn i click on the link above it takes me github which then says to go to releases but do not see an apk to download there
Please advise and thank you
Thank you very much.
I have one question: why is Android 11 necessary?
dallasnights said:
love to give it a try but i can not seem to find the download link whn i click on the link above it takes me github which then says to go to releases but do not see an apk to download there
Please advise and thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Made the download link in this post point right to the releases page. But you can't miss it there, not sure what the problem is?
SOFO888 said:
Thank you very much.
I have one question: why is Android 11 necessary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how i compiled it. Didn't test whether all the APIs are available on lower levels as I created it for me and I don't need lower than 11. Maybe it works also on lower versions if you change the sdk level - I simply didn't bother to check.
Thank you for the explanation.
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