Google has announced the Google Home Favorites widget for Android, which will allow users to control smart home electronics from their smartphone's home screen.
According to The Verge, the new Google Home Favorites widget will allow users to access devices, actions, and automations without having to open the app, allowing them to control their most used smart home devices, like lights, locks, thermostats, and more, right from the home screen.
The new Google Home widget lets you change and access your most used smart home devices throughout the day without having to open the app. Additionally, according to Android Authority, Android users can adjust the size of the widget to change the home screen layout for smart home controls.
Finally, there are Google Home widgets that let you control your favorite smart home devices right from your home screen.
Version 3.18.1.4 of the Google Home app added support for this new “Favorites” widget, but the widget isn't actually available yet. Widget… pic.twitter.com/YJQ8LFmcew
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) May 28, 2024
The Google Home Favorites widget was rolled out to Google Home app public preview users on May 30. If you install this version, the widget will be turned off by default, possibly pending server activation. As of the current time of reporting, the exact date when the tech giant will roll out the widget to all users is unclear.
Additionally, Google has launched Wear OS Favorites tiles and complications, as well as Android widgets, which allow customers to access their frequently used gadgets on their wrist, such as smartwatches. By swiping left on the tiles, you can quickly control up to five devices by touching the Wear OS home app icon.
The Favorites feature in Wear OS may activate fans or lights on the watch display, and users can access device controls by tapping a complication in the Home app.
The new Google Home tiles and complications will be available on Wear OS 3 and above devices on May 30. Users will first need to set up their selected device in the Favorites area of the Google Home app to access the widgets and Wear OS features.
The new widget requires a Google Home public preview membership, and according to the Google News channel on Telegram, the feature will soon be available to all Google users.
Android Auto 12.0: Improved stability and compatibility
In other developments, as recently reported by TechTimes, Google has also released its latest in-car infotainment system, Android Auto 12.0, which comes with new apps and features to enhance the driving experience.
The Alphabets Google Android Plaza booth at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 5, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada will feature a demo of Google Assistant with Google Home devices for the connected smart home.
(Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
Android Auto 12.0 adds more flexible and user-friendly apps, the most anticipated being the addition of YouTube and Netflix, which are only available when the car is stopped. This feature is useful for drivers and passengers who spend time in a parked car, as Android Auto now includes a web browser and games in addition to navigation and audio.
Google has improved system stability and vehicle model compatibility. This update went through rigorous beta testing to find and resolve errors, resulting in a better user experience. These improvements reduce crashes and malfunctions, ensuring smooth performance of the infotainment system.
Drivers can download Android Auto 12.0 from Google Play. APK Mirror allows users to install the APK manually. For security reasons, users should avoid downloading from untrusted sources.
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Goodbye Chromecast
In another update, Google renamed “Chromecast Built-in” to “Google Cast”: At I/O 2024, Google quietly reintroduced “Google Cast” in place of 2016's “Chromecast Built-in”.
At CES, LG announced that its webOS-powered TVs coming in 2024 will support Google Cast and Google Home. Google said that LG TV customers will be able to quickly stream videos from their smartphones or Chrome browsers by simply pressing the cast button.
At I/O, Google announced that Android Automotive OS will support Google Cast, and now cars have Casting integrated into them, enhancing in-car entertainment.
According to Google Support, Google Cast now offers multi-screen TV and audio with speakers. It will likely include “Google” in the name to emphasize its brand identity. Notably, Android.com now redirects chromecast.com/built-in to the rebranded page.
The basic functionality and capabilities of Google Cast will remain the same, but relevant device packaging will now show a switch from “Chromecast built in” to “Google Cast.”
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