December has arrived, and it seems like only yesterday that we were making resolutions for the year. However, 2022 was not just another year in our calendar; it actually meant a period of adaptation in which we had to get used to hybrid work and more regular travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And well, in order to make life a little bit easier these days, we’ve tapped in-house experts to see how Google products and features can help us. So, as a look back on the year, we’ve pulled together a list of the most effective Google tips of 2022. Whether you’re planning a much-needed vacation or just trying to get a good night’s sleep, here are some ideas that may help.
Plan a trip
1. Find cheap airline tickets with price tracking on Google Flights
First of all, you can find the best offer for your next trip by enabling tracking for your destination and dates of travel, so that Google will email you if prices change substantially. Or, if you’re more flexible on when to travel, you can turn on tracking for “Any dates” to get notified of price drops for flights departing in the next three to six months.
2. Take a stroll on Street View to find hidden gems to visit on your next vacation
According to self-proclaimed “travel nerd” and staff writer Molly McHugh-Johnson, this is a very effective way to plan a worthwhile trip and it’s also the perfect way to cure wanderlust from home.
3. Avoid crowds by checking the Popular Times and Live Busyness information on Google Maps
This is a very useful tool that you can use not only to save your boarding pass, but also because once you’ve saved it, Google Wallet will notify you of delays and gate changes. As a bonus: You can also take a screenshot of your COVID-19 vaccine card from an Android device to add it to your Google Wallet.
Reconnect and recharge
4. Gather round a virtual Chromecast fireplace with loved ones
You won’t need to worry about playback being interrupted if you need to leave the house for a bit, or if you walk outside of your Wi-Fi coverage area. So the party inside can continue on your Chromecast device if you need to run to the store for more ice.
5. Cross off your gift-list with the Holiday 100
Designed to make holiday shopping easier, this feature allows you to scroll through 100 gift ideas and insights based on trending searches from 2022. And if you’re up on Google’s shopping features, you’ll be happy to hear that they have been recently added to Holiday 100. Therefore, when you’ve found something you like on the list, you can narrow down your search using filters like price range, on sale, material, color or near you.
6. Type in “breathing exercise” to find a one-minute meditation on Search
Sometimes, shopping, looking for the perfect present, decorating the house and even cooking the turkey can be very stressful. Everyone needs a break in the holiday bustle. But that’s not a problem for Google. In fact, the company has a perfect feature to help you. As you see, the Meditation tool on Search can provide step-by-step instructions for a moment of R&R — plus, a good reminder to breathe.