Google’s Home app, a command center for the smart home, gets a Gemini upgrade

Google is taking significant steps to enhance the user experience of its Google Home app, a central hub for managing smart home devices. Acknowledging previous shortcomings, the tech titan unveiled a redesigned version of the app on Wednesday, coinciding with the launch of new Nest devices and an upcoming smart speaker. The updated app is set to improve device management and seamlessly incorporate the AI assistant, Gemini. Anish Kattukaran, Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Nest, emphasized that the previous version of the app did not meet their expectations. He stated, "The Google Home app has not been the experience that we’ve always wanted it to be," highlighting the need for a complete overhaul before introducing new AI features. Performance enhancements were the top priority, with Google claiming a 70% reduction in startup time and an 80% decrease in app crashes, alongside battery and memory optimizations. Over the past year, Google has implemented over 100 updates to improve app functionality, which now supports more than 800 million devices from over 50,000 manufacturers. The company aims to consolidate the Nest app features into Google Home, marking a significant step following its acquisition of Nest in 2014. While the Nest app will remain operational for the time being, users should prepare for its eventual retirement. The updated app now supports Nest thermostats from 2015 onward, including energy history and schedule management. Features for Nest cameras and doorbells have also been enhanced, with live feeds loading 30% faster and playback failures reduced by 40%. Notable improvements include a smoother camera feed and a more intuitive user interface with three simplified tabs: Home, Activity, and Automation. Users can now enjoy gesture controls to navigate devices and dashboards more easily. For example, swiping on the Home tab allows users to browse through devices or shift between views in the camera feed. Video playback has also been refined, enabling double-tap rewind and fast-forward functionalities, similar to YouTube. The Activity tab highlights a new AI-driven "Home Brief" feature that summarizes daily activities, allowing users to quickly grasp what happened at home without sifting through lengthy notifications. The Gemini AI also enhances interactivity, enabling users to issue natural language queries about their home, such as checking on the kids' arrival or whether the car door was left open. Some advanced AI functionalities, including automation creation through descriptions and the Home Brief feature, will require a Google Home Premium subscription, starting at $10 monthly. The Automation tab has been restructured for improved performance and now features a carousel showing upcoming events. Users will also have access to energy usage insights, allowing them to monitor appliances and their consumption patterns. The Google Home 4.0 app update is set to roll out to users globally starting October 1, with a phased approach to ensure all users receive the new features. To access the update early, users can navigate to their profile settings within the app and select the Early Access option.