Google Home 2.12.50 tweaks control dials, preps ‘Reactive UI’ for Nest Hub Max [APK Insight]

Abner Li | Jul 23 2019 - 8:07 am PT

With summer well underway, the Nest Hub Max should be coming sooner rather than later. The latest Google Home 2.12.50 companion app preps “Reactive UI” settings for the new Smart Display, while there is a design tweak to control dials throughout the client. This Android release, however, does not enable the custom Assistant volume we spotted on iOS.

About APK Insight: In this ‘APK Insight’ post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Control dial tweak

Google Home 2.12.50 makes an interesting change to control dials for speaker volume, smart bulb brightness, and other settings. The nubbin you drag is now larger and a white dot instead of being hollow at the center to surface the dial’s accent color. This small redesign was likely meant to provide a larger touch target.

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Reactive UI

Version 2.10 in April revealed a “Reactive UI,” with that category header now live in Display Settings for the Nest Hub. At the very bottom of the screen it joins Color matching and Ambient EQ, though it has no controls.

A past description described the feature as “ultrasound proximity detection” to show controls when you’re in close proximity to a device. Meanwhile, the “Sensors in Google Nest devices” privacy help document notes that this capability is part of the microphone on the upcoming Nest Hub Max.