Google Home App Update: 9 New Features You’ll Love
Google just soft-launched a major upgrade to the Google Home app, packed with nine exciting features designed to make your smart home smarter, safer, and easier to control. If you’re wondering what’s new and whether it’s worth enrolling in the public preview, this guide covers everything you need to know. From Nest Cam picture-in-picture on Google TV to smarter automations powered by Gemini AI, the latest updates bring enhanced control, convenience, and customization right to your fingertips.
Picture-in-Picture and Gemini: Smarter Viewing and Voice Control
The headline feature in this Google Home app update is Nest Cam picture-in-picture support on Google TV. This lets you keep an eye on your cameras while watching other content—a long-awaited addition that boosts your home’s security and multitasking potential. Alongside this, Google is expanding Gemini’s smart home integration, allowing users to search camera history and broadcast messages via connected speakers using simple text commands in the Gemini app. While voice dictation isn’t supported yet, the new AI capabilities mark a significant shift from Google Assistant toward Gemini’s more intelligent automation.
Intuitive Camera Controls and Smarter Automations
Camera footage navigation just got a lot easier. The new double-tap feature—similar to YouTube’s fast-forward—lets users skip ahead or rewind recordings by seconds. This tiny tweak solves a major usability pain point for those reviewing security footage. On the automation side, Google Home automations now support presence sensing, using your phone’s location or built-in Nest Soli sensors to detect if you’re home. This enables more intelligent routines, like turning lights off when no one’s around or adjusting the thermostat automatically.
Centralized Safety and Expanded Device Support
The update finally brings Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alerts into the Google Home app, eliminating the need for a separate Nest app. You can now run safety checkups, receive real-time alerts, and even silence alarms directly from the app. There’s also broader support for third-party Matter-enabled smart locks, allowing for deeper control—from editing passcodes to monitoring lock activity—all within one dashboard. It’s a big step toward making Google Home a central command center for every corner of your house.
Custom Widgets, Favorites, and Web Controls
Customization takes center stage in the final batch of features. You can now pin a wider range of tiles to your Favorites—like Wi-Fi controls, temperature dashboards, or a master light switch. Each device, whether it’s a phone, smartwatch, or tablet, can have a unique Favorites view. Plus, Google Home for Web now supports browser-based control of lights, thermostats, and smart locks—even if your phone isn’t nearby. Rounding things out is the invite-only Home Summary widget for Pixel phones, offering at-a-glance access to your smart ecosystem.