Outside of Gemini, work on the Google Home app continues today with “Improved device controls” in the Public Preview program.
Google is “introducing significant updates designed to improve your control over smart home devices.” Many third-party devices will get this new “look and feel,” with lights, plugs, and switches specifically named.
Previous
With smart lights, there’s still a large pill-shaped slider, but the percentage has been moved underneath the container. When you make adjustments, there’s now haptic feedback with the percentage also appearing at the left.
You can no longer tap to turn on/off, with any touch inside the container adjusting the brightness level. There’s now a traditional power button in the top-right corner. When switched off, the container becomes a rounded rectangle.
Redesign
The three-dot overflow menu next to it opens a new settings sheet that you can expand to take up the entire screen. A row of actions lets you Add to/Remove from favorites, see Device history (if you’re a Google Home Premium subscriber), Send feedback, and Get help. Other details and settings appear below.
Color options now appear as a carousel instead of a grid. The first option still brings up Color and Temperature pickers, which have been modernized.
Meanwhile, there is an extremely delightful animation when switching smart plugs on/off.
Old vs. new
Meanwhile, Google notes how “Android users with compatible Matter devices and a compatible Matter hub can control their devices locally” with this redesign for “faster response times and enhanced reliability.”
We’re seeing these improved device controls with the Google Home Public Preview program on Android and iOS today.
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