Following the launch of several new smart home products, Google also announced that it’s been working on a redesign of the Google Home app, which will now be able to better integrate with Gemini’s AI software features.
READ: Google Takes on Amazon’s New IoT Products with its Latest Smart Home Hardware
Google says that it made “speed and reliability” its top priority based on user feedback, and as a result the new app now loads over 70% faster depending on what kind of Android device you’re using. Google claims that users will experience less bugginess, as well as improved battery and memory efficiency. Additionally, live camera views now load 30% faster with a 40% decrease in playback failures.
The app redesign also allows for a unified experience with full support for core Nest devices and features, such as all Nest Thermostat models, smoke and CO emergency alerts for Nest Protect, and passcode management for the Nest x Yale Lock.
As for Gemini, Google has designed a three-tab layout which includes a Home Tab for a consolidated overview and access point for the entire home, an Activity Tab which shows history for all events across connected first-party and third-party devices, and an Automations Tab which features a carousel showing upcoming automations and lets users create custom routines and automations.
For cameras, event notifications on both Android and iOS now expand to show previews right on the lock screen, while will be able to send more specific alerts such as “Robin walking with flowers” instead of a generic “person detected.”
The app will also come with the Ask Home feature, which allows users to type queries to access related devices or automations, find a specific camera clip, control multiple devices with a single command, or even create complex automations just by describing them. The new Google Home app rolls out globally today.
