Google Home’s new interface is rolling out now and you don’t need the latest hardware to use it
There’s good news for Google Home users: a new interface is rolling out now, and it’s not just for people who invest in the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) that the company unveiled last week.
We got our first glimpse at the revamped Google Home app a few days ago, when members of the Public Preview program noticed some big changes to the smart thermostat’s interface. Key features like the Energy Dashboard and fan settings are now easier to access, displayed as large cards instead of hidden behind icons, and it’s possible to adjust the temperature right from the Favorites screen.
It all looks busier, with more data on screen at once, but overall it seems in line with the updated interface on the curved glass front of the new thermostat.
A warm welcome
If Android Police explains, the new app appears to be rolling out more broadly, and it’s not just for users with the latest hardware. Folks with the original Nest Learning Thermostat (launched in 2018) and even Ecobee devices have also seen the new design pop up on their phones.
This news is especially welcome if you live outside of the US and Canada, where the new Nest Learning Thermostat isn’t available. As of this writing, Google hasn’t announced plans, dates, or pricing for the new device elsewhere in the world.
So far, reception has been generally positive. Some Google Home users on Reddit have praised the “more intuitive and readable user interface”, which makes it “easier to see what’s going on at a glance”, while others have complained about how much space the new tiles take up on the Favorites screen.
My Nest app has been updated and now has a cool new user interface for the thermostat. by r/googlehome
Google hasn’t officially announced the new interface style yet, and it seems like there are still a few kinks to work out, especially when using the app with an Ecobee thermostat. But it looks like the app is almost ready.
Thinking about upgrading your home heating system? We’ll be putting the new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) through its paces soon to see if it deserves a spot in our guide to the best smart thermostats.