The updated Chromecast might not seem like much of a improvement over the second generation model released in 2015, but a refreshed look, stronger WiFi connection and 1080p 60FPS — no 4K — streaming make for a pretty decent upgrade all things considered.
At 10/9, Google announced Downtime and Filters for the Google Home Hub. These Digital Wellbeing features will be coming to all Smart Displays and Assistant speakers, as Google’s initiative to manage device usage is integrating with Assistant on phones.
Alongside the Home Hub, Google yesterday detailed an update to the Home companion app that makes the client a dashboard for your smart home. Google Home 2.6 is now rolling out with a revamped Google Material Theme that leverages a bottom bar, while revealing work on Digital Wellbeing and support for the Home Hub.
Google Home Hub went official today and along with it, Google is announcing some big changes for its Home control strategy. In addition to voice controls, the new “Home View” dashboard will enable easy controls.
With the Home Mini and Home Max in 2017, Google was able to inundate the market with affordable smart speakers, while offering an audiophile experience for the high-end. This year, the Made by Google lineup is gaining its first Assistant Smart Display with the Google Home Hub.
The Google Home launched at the inaugural Made by Google event in 2016, while 2017 saw the Home Mini and Home Max. This year, the Google Home Hub is expected to continue the company’s success in the connected speaker space over Amazon. Thanks to a handful of leaks, we are well aware of the design, specs, and capabilities, while the price has also been rumored.
Here’s a look at everything we’ve learned about the Smart Display so far…
Google Home Hub initially leaked in its entirety earlier this month, but there was just one thing missing: the second “Charcoal” variant that the leaked spec sheet said indeed existed. Now that second color option for the forthcoming new Google Home hardware has leaked as well…
As October’s Made by Google event nears, more and more devices are hitting the FCC for regulatory approval ahead of retail availability. Following this week’s leak, a Home device that is likely the Google Home Hub has arrived.
Google has long been rumored to be launching its own first-party Smart Display, and now it looks like we have our first solid leak of the device. It’s called the “Google Home Hub” according to images and details shared today by MySmartPrice, and it’s essentially a tablet-esque 7-inch display mounted on a speaker base with a design similar to other Google Home products.
User feedback is an important part of improving any service, with all Google apps on Android featuring a quick way to do so. However, getting feedback on a product with a voice interface is slightly harder. Google Home and Assistant does so by asking users how satisfied they were using a one to five scale.
Digital Wellbeing is a company-wide initiative that Google announced at I/O 2018. So far, it has launched in YouTube and Calendar, with a launch on Android set for this fall. Google is now preparing to bring Digital Wellbeing to Google Assistant and Home smart devices.
The Internet of Things is rapidly growing in popularity, and Google has played a big part in expanding that. Now, the company is announcing a partnership that will bring connected devices to the home from the moment it is built.
Google announced bilingual support for Assistant back in February, and at IFA 2018 it’s beginning to roll out the functionality in six languages. Users can speak to Assistant in two default languages with phones and smart speakers able to understand and reply back in either.
Earlier this year, Google Home began visualizing responses to certain queries when connected to a television via Chromecast. Google Assistant is now expanding the number of visual responses that will be overlaid on a big screen, while making voice Casting more seamless.
Earlier this month, the Google Home Max finally became available outside of North America following an Australian launch. Today, the premium Assistant smart speaker is coming to a handful of European countries and doubling its global availability.
Google Assistant was announced two years ago at I/O and quickly made its way to Home smart speakers and Android devices. Just last month, the first Smart Displays were released with Google today detailing what it has learned about Assistant usage since the launch.
Pandora has been one of the longer-standing streaming options on Google Home, but it’s been limited to just automated radio stations until now. Google has today announced that Pandora Premium, the web radio company’s on-demand streaming service, is now available on Google Home devices.
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In time for back-to-school, the Google Store is hosting another seasonal sale on Made by Google hardware. Given the rumored proximity to new products, the deals are on the more generous side. The most sought after devices go on sale today, with a number of Home and Chromecast deals going live later in the month.
One of the top use cases for a smart speaker like Google Home is controlling smart home devices. Now, thanks to a quiet update, Google is making that feature a little bit smarter…
International availability for Google’s hardware is still limited and involves a slow process even after three years. The latest launch is for the Home Max, with Google’s premium Assistant smart speaker coming to Australia on August 9th.
At I/O 2018, Google announced a number of new features for Home smart speakers including six new voices, Continued Conversation, and Multiple Actions. Custom Routines were also introduced to replace Shortcuts and today the feature is gaining the ability to schedule the macros to trigger at set times.
Last week, the latest version of Google Home rolled out with a rename of Backdrops to Ambient Mode. Besides the new branding, the Chromecast screensaver now features redesigned in-app settings and more customization options.
Last month, we learned that the Google Home is preparing a Material Theme redesign with a handful of new features. Till that launches, version 1.30 is rolling out this evening with support for Assistant Smart Displays and other smart home devices.
Amazon Echo owners have been able to control their Dish Hopper DVRs over a year now using Alexa voice commands. If you’ve been living in envy, the wait is now over as the Google Assistant can now help you watch your favorite shows all without picking up a remote.
