Hum a tune into your phone and Google will find it. Here's how to try it now

a close up of a sign: Ask Google to name that tune. Angela Lang/CNET

It happens all the time -- you get a song stuck in your head, try to hum it to friends and no one has a clue what you're talking about. You continue thinking about it until you finally hear a snatch of it again -- from a TV show, the radio, or a store. Fortunately, Google has a new tool that can identify songs when you hum, sing, or whistle the tune into your phone.

The technology to match tones to a database of identified songs through singing, humming, and whistling -- instead of from lyrics alone -- has existed for more than a decade and was a staple in the music app SoundHound as far back as 2009.

To get started using Google's new feature, grab your phone, and open the latest version of the Google app or Google Search widget. Then, tap the Microphone icon and say "what's this song?" You can also tap the Search a song button. Finally, start humming, singing, or whistling the tune to get your results.

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If you're using Google Assistant, just say "Hey Google, what's this song?" and then start humming the tune. Google will show you the most likely results based on the tune you hummed. You can select the song to listen to it and see if it's the one that's been stuck in your head.

Google announced the new feature on Thursday and has started rolling it out globally to iPhone and Android users. It's currently available in English for iPhone users and in more than 20 languages on Android. Note that this new tool only works on mobile devices, so at this time, it won't work on your Google Home or Nest speakers.

For more Google tips, check out this new Google Maps tool that tells you how busy places are before you go, six useful Google Maps tricks you didn't know until today, and how to stop Google Home from giving you unsolicited advice.

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Google Assistant, Maps And Search Help People Find Voting Locations

Google is adding new election-related features to its voice assistant, Google Search, and Google Maps, to make it easier for US citizens to find voting locations ahead of the election next month.

In Google Search, Search for things like "early voting locations" or "ballot drop boxes near me" will show details on where you can vote in person or return your mail-in ballot, whether you are voting early or on Election Day. The same tool will also pop up when you search for things like "how to find polling place" or "where to vote," so there's some flexibility in it.

If you have Google Assistant-powered devices such as Google Home, you can say, "Hey Google, where do I vote?" and Assistant should be able to figure it out accordingly based on your current location. Similarly, if you search for your voting location in Google Maps, you'll have easy access to the feature in Search to help you confirm where you can cast your vote.

Google says it has partnered with the Voting Information Project to source the voting location information and plans to list over 200,000 voting locations nationwide.

Hum a tune into your phone and Google will find it. Here's how to try it now | Google Assistant, Maps And Search Help People Find Voting Locations