'OK Google, Lumos Maxima!': turn your phone into a wand with Google

With Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them set to be released this month, at least in the US, we will get another chance to return to J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World. And with a little help from Google, you can now experience this magical world by turning your phone into a wand or visiting the Magical Congress of the USA on Google Maps.

You can simply say, “OK Google” on your Android phone to summon Google Search and cast your spell. For instance, “Lumos” or “Lumos Maxima” will turn your flashlight on, and you can turn it off with “Nox.” Or you can say “Silencio” in order to – yes, you guessed right – silence your phone (I’ve tried “Wingardium Leviosa” with no success. Do let me know if you guys find another spell that works!).

But that’s not all. In addition to turning your phone into a magical wand, the search giant will also take you back in time: to New York in 1926 to be precise. That’s when the film takes place, and I have to say, Google has done a tremendous job with this one. You can visit major locations from the film as well as explore the city in Street View:

Fans can visit MACUSA (Magical Congress of the USA); Steen National Bank, where Newt first meets Jacob Kowalski; the underground speakeasy The Blind Pig; and the magical apartment of Tina and Queenie Goldstein, two of the film’s key characters.

Once Google’s Daydream View VR headset becomes available some time this month, you will also be able to explore Newt’s case, filled with magic spells and puzzles that will allow you to retrieve all the escaped creatures. If texting is more of your thing, don’t worry because Fantastic Beasts inspired stickers are coming to Google Allo.

What do you think about Google’s new promotion? Excited for Fantastic Beasts? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!