According to 9to5Google, the Google Home app is getting a new look that should make it much more intuitive. The next 2.49 update will allow you to interface with your devices from a single screen, similar to the device control panel found on phones running Android 11 or higher.
According to the update’s release notes on the App Store, Google is attempting to make the app a lot more user-friendly than it is currently, claiming that it would allow users to « easily discover what you’re looking for, dim your compatible lights, and alter the music volume in a snap. » You’ll be able to tap on a device to turn it on or off, slide left or right on some parts, such as lights or speakers, to alter brightness and volume, and long press on a device to view more options.
Google Home’s last significant design change was in 2018 — and it later included controls to modify the color of your lights — but it has essentially remained the same since then. As a result, we now have a clumsy app that requires us to tap into each device to make precise adjustments (although there are still some single-tap controls like turning things on or off).
The revamp will be rolled out « over the next few weeks, » according to Google, and even owning the most latest version of the app on iOS or Android may not be enough to see the changes. Some users, such as former XDA-Developers editor in chief Mishaal Rahman, have successfully sideloaded the 2.49.1.8 version and accessed the new settings on Android.
