Google launches redesigned Home App with enhanced device management and automation
Google has announced the stable release of its revamped Google Home app after months of testing in public preview. The new app replaces the "Rooms" feature with "Spaces" for better organization of smart home devices with similar purposes and needs. Users can add devices as "favorites" and access their controls with ease, thanks to a dedicated widget.
One of the most significant changes in the new Google Home app is the addition of an Automations tab that allows users to create routines easily. The app also includes a media widget that detects what media is playing and gives users appropriate controls. For instance, users can control music playback and TV remote controls for video watching.
The Nest Cam app has been better integrated into the Google Home app, and users can access their camera feeds through the app on the browser. Additionally, there is a Wear OS app that enables users to toggle devices quickly and receive notifications with rich data, such as animated camera feeds.
The revamped Google Home app's features and improvements will be familiar to users who were part of the public preview, but now everyone can access them. Overall, these changes make it easier for users to manage their smart home devices and create customized spaces and routines for their needs.
Our take: These are super welcome changes to a service that sometimes seems a little bit abandoned by Google. I guess that with the expansion of AI it's just a matter of time (few months) before we start seeing a second life in everything related to home automation and smart things 🤩