Google has been focusing on its smartwatch platform for the past few years. The company has launched a redesigned Google Home app for Wear OS as part of this effort. The new app brings a new home screen, settings menu, and ways to control your smart home devices. The redesigned Google Home app aims to make it easier for users to control their smart homes from their wrists. The app also fixes major issues and improves overall stability and performance.
Modern Android Ecosystems, New API #GoogleIO
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– WearOS Developer Preview: APIs for animation, watch face format pic.twitter.com/djakC6s7Hb— AndroidGreek (@AndroidGreek) May 11, 2023
Google announced this during the I/O event. The Google Home app has also been updated with a five-tab layout to make things easier and give better control of devices. The app now supports more devices, including those paired with Matter. Additionally, the new Google Home app is available for everyone now for Android and iOS devices.
Redesigned Home App on Galaxy Watch 4, and Galaxy Watch 5
The redesigned Home App with big functionality updates is rolling out to Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5. It is now available for smartwatches running Wear OS. To update your watch to the latest version, open System, then head over to System Update and follow the instructions. Several changes come with the redesigned Home App. Let’s take a closer look at them one by one.
Animated Camera Notification Preview
This update comes with the animated camera notification preview, available for Nest Cams and Doorbells. You can access it with a tile at the top of Quick Settings or by placing the app on your WatchOS. This feature is currently in preview and is expected to roll out with future updates.
Control
Users can now control their smart home devices more easily. The app gives more control over temperature, switches modes, and adjusts the brightness of your smart lights.
Favorites
The new app comes with a new Favorites section from which you can control the smart home devices saved on Google Home for Android and iOS. The Favorites section shows up to five devices and automation/routines. To see more devices or automation, you need to click on the “View All” button.
Media Control Playback
Google Home app on WearOS now allows users to control media playback on compatible smart speakers, displays, and TVs with the next track, pause/play, previous track, and volume adjustments buttons to control the playback of your media. You can also lock or unlock supported devices from the app.
Device, Setting, and Control
A new Device button appears on the bottom, showing you all your smart home device arranged by room. A setting button will take you to the account setting and legal info page. Another is the new app offer page which gives more controls for lights and thermostats, including brightness and color for smart lights and switching modes. The device also lists groups by room, similar to the previous main feed, Autoamtions (for those in public preview), and settings (for Accounts and Legal) buttons.
Media Control Playback
The Google Home app on WearOS now allows users to control media playback on compatible smart speakers, displays, and TVs. The app provides buttons for the next track, pause/play, previous track, and volume adjustments to control the playback of your media. You can also lock or unlock supported devices from the app.
Devices, Settings, and Controls
A new Device button appears at the bottom of the screen, showing you all your smart home devices arranged by room. A Settings button will take you to the account settings and legal info page. Another new feature is the app offer page, which gives you more controls for lights and thermostats, including brightness and color for smart lights and switching modes. The device list also groups things by rooms and is similar to the previous main feed, automation (for those in public preview), and Settings (for Accounts and Legal) buttons.
