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Google Home app getting ready to show more sensor data, fan controls [U]

Google yesterday recapped recent Home app launches while teasing the ability to “see more data from sensors” that might already be rolling out.

Update 11/9: Google tells us today that the Home app is adding support for three traits: rotation, fan speed, and multi sensor (sensor states). Expanded device controls will show temperature, light, motion, and humidity.


Original 11/8: At times, the Google Home app does not allow you to access or control the full capabilities of a device. (One particular oversight is when something is possible via Assistant voice command or on the Nest Hub, but there’s just no UI in the app.) The company’s work on expanding support is ongoing, with device categories spanning from lighting to climate/energy and security, as well as appliances and entertainment. For example, supported TV sets got full playback controls, input switching, and volume adjustments earlier this year

Next up should be letting you get more sensor readings on devices that might offer that data in addition to their main function. Google says it’s “coming soon to Public Preview,” but it might already be rolling out.

For example, reports from yesterday show Philips Hue Indoor Motion Sensors with a light (lux) level and the temperature in addition to whether there is motion.

Google yesterday also noted the ability to “control the rotation and speed of your compatible fans directly in the Home app.”

Google has yet to update its Public Preview feature list with this new capability.

More on Google Home:

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com

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