15 More Google Expert Tips You Need In Your Life

Get ready to Google yourself smart(er).

1. Test your world knowledge with Smarty Pins.

Google

Smarty Pins is a new trivia game within Google Maps that tests just how much attention you paid in geography class. Pick a topic, and Smarty Pins will give you a hint to a city or place in the world, upon which you have to try and drop the pin as close to its actual location as you can.

Just be warned – it's super addictive!

2. Use Smart Lock to automatically unlock your Android when you pick it up.

Google / Via gadgets.ndtv.com

If your Android device has an accelerometer, you can set it to automatically unlock when you pick it up, and relock when you set it down. Simply go to Settings > Security > Trust Agents to unlock the feature.

You can also opt to have your phone unlock in a trusted place using the GPS function, through NFC tags (like a sticker on your car), or when a trusted Bluetooth device is connected.

3. Explore the Doodle archive.

Google

Did you know the very first Google Doodle goes as far back as 1998? Well, you can explore the entire archive of over 2,000 doodles by visiting Google.com/Doodle, or clicking "I'm Feeling Lucky" on the Google homepage.

4. Find out the power hogs with the RAM Manager.

Google / Via kickassgadgets.wordpress.com

Knowledge is power. Literally! With the Ram Manager, it's easier than ever to discover exactly which apps are taking up your phone's memory, allowing you to force-stop them then and there if need be.

5. Discover diverse art collections from around the world.

Google

Google Art Project features close to 200,000 items from 600 galleries and museums in incredible hi-res detail, with new artists and collections being added all the time.

6. Draw symbols in Google Translate.

Google

Learning a new language like Mandarin? Rather than painstakingly searching your keyboard shortcuts for the symbols, you can actually draw the characters for them to be translated into English.

7. Design your own phone theme with the System UI Tuner.

Google / Via phonearena.com

Did you know that as well as choosing the apps in Quick Settings, Android M users can customise the layout too?

Go to Settings > Developer Options and select Show SystemUI Tuner, where you'll be able to add tiles, move them around, and delete as you wish.

8. Compose email through Chrome's address bar.

Google

Rather than laboriously opening up a new tab and navigating to your gmail, simply type in mailto:[yourname]@[email].com and Chrome will automatically open up a compose window in your default email client.

9. Learn the story behind history's most significant events.

Google

Historic Moments is a series of online exhibitions that pieces together historical events using documents, photos, videos, and personal accounts from those who experienced them first hand. Curated by museums from around the world, each presents a unique interactive insight into a moment in time.

10. Search yourself smart with some fun facts.

Google

Type "I'm Feeling Curious" into the search bar, and Google will dive deep into its vast knowledge banks to answer some of life's most pressing questions.

11. You've explored Google Earth, now how about Middle Earth?

Google

While technically it isn't walking into Mordor, you can go on a special interactive adventure inspired by the film trilogy. You can follow the same paths as the heroes, watch battles, and explore the epic landscapes as seen on the big screen. It kind of makes old regular Earth look a bit drab by comparison!

12. Save battery life with the new Doze feature on Android M.

Google / Via androidcentral.com

Dipping below 20%? The new Doze feature now allows you to turn off and on battery optimisation for individual apps, limiting the background tasks to save you from a dead-phone disaster.

On the flip side, if you're in battery-saving mode and you'd like to keep something running at full power, you can also choose to exclude up to three apps.

13. One-handed Google Mapping.

ThinkStock

You probably know the two-hand pinch-and-zoom function on Google Maps, but if your hands are at a premium, did you know you can also do it with one? Double-tap to zoom in, or double-tap and drag your finger down to zoom back out.

14. Time travel through Google Maps.

Google

It's now been eight years since Google Street View was first introduced, and the world has changed a lot since that time. In fact, you can see just how much it has changed!

Click the clock in the top left when in Street View and, if the location has been snapped multiple times, you'll be able to see each the photos from each different time period. Try checking out new buildings like One World Trade Center or the Marina Bay Sands Hotel — or see what Scandinavia looks like in different seasons!

15. Fill yourself with free fonts to your heart's content.

Google

Google Fonts is a huge repository of typefaces for you to download and try out, free of charge. But did you know you could put them into Chrome too? Head to Settings > Advanced Settings > Web Content and click on Customise Fonts.

​Here's another expert tip: Manage all of your privacy settings in one place with Google MyAccount.

Head over to myaccount.google.com for quick access to one-click settings and tools that let you safeguard your data, protect your privacy, and decide how your information can make Google tools and services work better for you.