The application of Google Home is receiving a major update that, identified with version 1.25.81.13, has begun to be deployed just in time for today's event in which the new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL2 are unveiled.
The new version of the Google Home application incorporates a revamped interface that provides easier navigation. The View, Listen, and Discover tabs have given way to new Discover and Browse categories at the bottom of the screen. Plus, the familiar Google card design is back.
Google Home: Discover
When opening the application, the section Discover becomes the default screen. It is there that you will find cards with tips to help you use your devices more effectively. Some of the tips range from activating Google Assistant to raising and lowering the volume, among others. Presumably, these tips will not appear when it comes to veteran owners who have been using the app and the devices in question for some time.
In case you are using an application such as YouTube or Netflix, the Discover section will show a card with information about the content you are broadcasting, such as the name of the video, episode or movie and the device that is playing it. If you have a Chromecast or Chromecast-compatible device, you'll see a card near the bottom next to the device's name.
Google Home: Browse
The section Browse it is a combination of the View and Listen sections of the old layout with some new UI tweaks. The search button has been scrolled down including labels for TV shows and series, movies and music. Once you tap on any of these tags, you'll arrive at a new screen focused on that topic with even more detailed tags at the bottom so you can dig deeper into the topic. This can be very useful for those moments when you do not know what you want to see specifically, so a visual aid like this can be appreciated.
But if you already know what you want to see, the search button works the same way as always. Once you select what you want to see, the application shows you all the sources in which it is available. Typically, you have the option to rent or buy it from Google Play, but results for services like Netflix will also appear if the title is available.
In the music section, you will see the options of your Google Play Music or Spotify library. The system shows you several different options for radio stations related to artists or genres, but only three options when it comes to categories. It is a very limited option that will undoubtedly be more interesting when it opens beyond these two services or when, when it finds music that interests you, it takes you to the music application of your choice.
La device section It has also received a small update such that all supported devices will appear here, while those in use will get a thumbnail over them.
You will also notice the change when you press the volume button in the lower right corner. A new window will open with a redesigned volume bar (circular instead of horizontal) and buttons at the bottom to open the application in which content is being broadcast or to stop it.
In general, those who have already thoroughly tested the new version of Google Home point out that the company has made the app much easier to use. It maintains the essence as the center of all Google smart devices but now it is easier to find content to transmit to those devices.
Night mode
Night mode comes to Google Home if you've enabled the preview schedule in the Home app. You can set specific days and times for Home to reduce the volume when responding to commands. In addition, you can also configure it to dim the intensity of the light in order not to be dazzled in the middle of the night.
In the same way you can activate a do not disturb mode It blocks the sounds of reminders and other notifications while the night mode is active. Alarms and timers will continue to work even when night mode is active.
