One app for hundreds of home devices!
A simplified and intuitive home control system, Google Home lets you set up, manage, and control all kinds of devices to make your home smarter. The iOS app has received a complete design overhaul, and comes with ‘Home View’ dashboard. While Google Home Hub’s hardware looks stunning, the app supports it with plenty of useful features.
Easily control and manage your home!
The perfect way to make your smart home more comfortable.
With the Google Home app, you can set up, manage and control Google Home devices, smart displays, Google Assistant speakers, and a wide range of Chromecast products. Using just one app, you can control numerous compatible cameras, lights, speakers, appliances, and other devices. Moreover, Google Home allows you to discover TV shows, videos, and music to cast to your speakers and TVs.
Refreshing and easy-to-use
‘Home View’ is at the center of Google Home’s revamped design. It streamlines device control, and puts all your connected home control devices into specific list of rooms. Once you’ve grouped rooms, you can quickly access controls for TV streaming, thermostat adjustments, light control, and more.
While most iPhone users are familiar with Apple HomeKit, the refreshing design of Google Home app matches the look of several Google apps, including Google Photos, Calendar, and Messages.
At the top of the screen, you can access shortcuts and toggles. It’s a long list called ‘Quick Actions’, which gets automatically updated as per usage. Customizing toggles is easy, and gives you more control over the interface.
Right beneath ‘Quick Actions’, there’s a list of all devices connected to your Google account. As compared to the previous version, this one is less cluttered. You don’t need to check multiple side menus, making the process fast and hassle-free.
With the new interface, even non-techies will find it easier to control their home devices. Considering user-friendliness, it makes sense to use just one app to manage all kinds of devices in your home. Having said that, the app still lacks some advanced control options, such as switching light color in bulbs.
Quick navigation takes centerstage
With Google Home app, it’s easier and faster to create speaker groups. You can broadcast a message across multiple speakers in your home. Though there’s no need to say ‘Okay Google, broadcast!’ anymore, this option still works fine.
While the previous version kept a lot of features hidden in tabs, this one lets you quickly update, remove, or add devices. Navigation is more user-friendly and intuitive. One thing missing in Google Home app is the ability to remove ‘Now Playing’ notifications from a connected device. At times, too many pauses, skips, and plays can be frustrating.
Although the ‘Discover’ feed has been pushed aside in favor of ‘Home View’, the Material Theme allows faster and seamless navigation. It’s much less confusing than competitors like SmartThings or Savant.
If you like using Google Assistant, it can be accessed within the app. You can use it to manage any connected device, giving you more control over your home without switching apps.
With an email invite, you can provide access to all family members, enabling them to control all devices in your home. It would have been better to gain granular access, especially for homes with children. There's a high probability of this feature being introduced in an updated version soon.
Smart AI for better management
With smart artificial intelligence capabilities, Google Home helps ease a wide range of routine tasks. For instance, the app can be used to lower thermostat settings, diagnose symptoms when you’re feeling sick, locate video clips from TV shows, and more.
Google Home app is smart enough to inform you about the cost of flight tickets from a city of origin to a destination of your choice. You can even interact by speaking about random things, and the app will ‘learn’ and evolve over time.
AI makes the user experience more interactive. Unfortunately, not all features are available in certain regions, and you might have to wait for an updated version.
Where can you run this program?
Google Home for iOS is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. It requires version 11.0 or above.
Is there a better alternative?
With plenty of smart home apps available in the app store, it can be difficult to make a choice. While Google Home is a great app for all intents and purposes, you might want to check out SmartThings for creating a flow of information among devices. With your devices talking to each other, they can be more efficient. For instance, let the AC adjust the temperature on its own if a door is left open. Sounds good, right?
You could also try Ninja Rules Engine, which allows you to create apps without programming knowledge. These apps give you better control and customization options over devices. Similarly, Savant is an excellent choice if you want to use Apple’s familiar interface. It’s easy to use, and lets you change icons, channel favorites, categories, and backgrounds.
Our take
Google Home is an excellent app for the iPhone, providing better control and management over numerous connected devices. The interface is simple, and makes everything hassle-free and faster. With future updates, you can expect the technology to be sound, meeting the standards Google has set in multiple domains globally.
Should you download it?
Yes, it’s perfect for your home! Using Google Home, seamlessly connect to multiple devices, look for information online, and enjoy your favorite TV shows or movies easily. With loads of customization options, you’ll be able to tweak the interface as you see fit. The revamped design gives you more control, and allows you to manage your smart home in a more efficient way.
