Your Google Home just got 5 exciting upgrades for free – how to try them

If you’re a Google Home user, pay attention because Google just released several new features you’ll want to know about. The spring Home update gives you a better way to see your cameras, more customizable favorites, improved automations, and more. While some of the features are available now, some are only available if you opt in, and others are coming soon.

Here’s what’s new.

Also: The best smart home devices: Expert tested and reviewed

1. Improved automations

Google is making it easier for you to set up automations across more devices and interfaces. Not only can you now create an automation in fewer steps, but you also have access to new starters and conditions that let you get even more specific. Google says it’s also adding presence sensing as a starter, so you can set automations based on whether you’re home or away. This feature is in public preview only. 

2. Expanded favorites

Right now, you can use the Favorites widget to interact with your most-used smart home devices like thermostats and lights without having to open the Google Home app. This update expands the kind of controls you can add to your favorites, letting you pin additional tiles like an indoor temperature dashboard, Wi-Fi actions, and whole-home lights on-off.

3. Easier camera access

Home security cameras are more accessible than ever, but it can be cumbersome to find exactly what you’re looking for in a long camera feed. The latest Google Home update lets you easily jump forward or backward 10 seconds by double-tapping on the left or right side of the player. 

Also: I replaced my Ring with this subscription-less security camera – and it did some things better

4. Support for more devices

The entire point of an ecosystem like Google Home is to help all of your smart home devices work together, and Google is adding support for more devices. Home now supports Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm, which gives you safety alerts and heads-up notifications, runs safety check-ups, and more. It also supports third-party Matter smart locks. This feature is available in public preview only.

5. More powerful ways to control and view your home

The June update also gives you better control over your smart home overall and more ways to keep an eye on things. It adds a number of features, including:

• Surface-specific favorites: These let you customize your Google Home Favorites depending on what device you’re using. For example, you can create one set of Favorites on your watch and one set on your tablet without affecting the favorites in your Home app. (This feature is coming soon.)

• Picture-in-picture Nest Cams on your TV: Watch your Nest camera while you’re watching TV with picture-in-picture on the Google TV home panel. You can see who’s at your door or check in on the backyard without pausing what you’re watching. (Public preview only.)

• More web controls: More of the devices you can control on your Google Home app now have controls available on Google Home for web. You can adjust your lights, set the temperature, unlock the door, and more from your browser. (Coming soon to public preview.)

• Home Summary Widget: See a glanceable summary of your home with the new Home Summary Widget that proactively summarizes your home devices, events, and insights. (Google Home Labs invite only.)

Also: How healthy is your home? Ultrahuman’s newest device will tell you

A few of these features are only in Public Preview on Android, which you can join or leave at any time. If you’re not already signed up, sign in to Google Groups, find Settings, and then Global Settings. Make sure “Add me to their groups” is checked. 

Once you’ve confirmed that, you can join through the Google Home app or through home.google.com. From either place, find Settings, then Public Preview, and Join Public Preview.

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