Google Home App Updated In Time For Stronger Smart Home Push
Google's launch of the Home Hub smart display isn't just a one-off product launch. It's actually a cog in a machine that's now starting to swing into full gear. That machine is Google's Connected Home, a.k.a. smart home, thrust and it is the unspoken underlying theme of Google's event earlier today. Because what better than a new Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL phone to run the updated Google Home app that will put you in touch with over 10,000 connected devices in your home.
Amazon may have had the advantage of being first but Google has caught up with it. As of today, the tech giant is boasting that there are over 10,000 smart devices from more than a thousand brands that work with Google Assistant, of course through the Google Home app. Make that 10,000 and one with the addition of the Home Hub today.
While that may be an impressive number, it's also an overwhelming one. As always, getting started can be difficult if you don't even know where to start. That's why Google is now providing a few Kits and Bundles to make that choice easier. As always, lighting is the best way to get started and Smart Light Starter Kit bundles a Google Home Mini and GE C-Life bulb in a $55 box. There are also other bundles, mostly focusing on Nest (also owned by Google) smart home products and the new Home Hub display.
The problem with having a dozen connected products is having to juggle a dozen connected products, some of which have their own separate app. For more specialized settings, that may be necessary. But for the most used common actions, all you need now is the new Google Home app. Updated to make the Smart Home lifestyle easier, the app now shows all your compatible smart home devices in a single view. And by "compatible", we mean those that can be controlled via Google Assistant, which is now in a very visible and easy to access mic button.
In addition to unified view for devices, the Google Home app now also lets you check in on your home, or your devices rather, even when you're not at home. You can even give other members of the family access to those devices. All they need is to have the new Google Home app installed and you can all live the convenient, smart home lifestyle.