Google Home to introduce ‘Vacation Mode’ and improved matter device support, while Google TV rebrands free channels as ‘Freeplay’
Top 3 Key Points:
- Google Home is adding a new “Vacation Mode” feature for smart home control.
- Improved Matter support will allow pairing devices set up elsewhere.
- Google TV rebrands its free channels as “Freeplay” with more channels available.
Google is enhancing its smart home ecosystem with new features in the Google Home app, including a potential “Vacation Mode” and expanded support for Matter devices. These improvements come as part of ongoing updates following the app’s major redesign in 2022.
Vacation Mode in Google Home App
A new “Vacation Mode” is being developed for the Google Home app, joining the existing “Home” and “Away” modes. Although details are still scarce, this mode could mimic features seen in other smart home systems. Typically, vacation modes are designed to make it appear like someone is at home when they are not, by doing things like turning lights on and off at random intervals. The addition of a date icon suggests a scheduling feature, but it’s unclear what devices this will support or how it will function.
Improved Matter Device Support
Google Home is also working on a better integration for Matter devices. Currently, Matter devices need to be set up through the Google Home app for full control. However, the new update will allow users to pair Matter devices that were originally configured through other platforms. This would make it easier for users to control smart devices from multiple apps without reconfiguring everything. Though this feature isn’t live yet, it hints at a more flexible approach to smart home management.
Google TV: Free Channels Rebranded as “Freeplay”
In addition to the updates to Google Home, Google TV is rolling out a rebranding of its free, ad-supported TV channels. Now called “Freeplay,” these channels were first introduced in early 2023 with about 80 channels, and as of September 2024, there are 150 channels available. Google TV devices like Chromecast and TVs from brands like TCL and Hisense will now show the “Freeplay” branding under the “Live” tab for U.S. users. While this change doesn’t affect the functionality, it opens the door for integrating other types of free content, such as on-demand movies from YouTube, in the future.
Google’s consistent updates to its smart home and entertainment platforms show its commitment to improving user experiences. Although no official release date has been confirmed for these new features, they are part of Google’s efforts to streamline smart home management and enhance entertainment options.
Key Points:
- Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
- Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
- Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.
Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:
Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.
Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.
Other Chrome Updates:
Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.
These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.
YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.
- AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
- AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
- AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.
YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.
Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.
Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.
For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”
YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.
For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.
These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.
Key points:
- Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a new navigation bar key for quick keyboard switching.
- This allows for faster switching between multiple keyboard apps and languages.
- The feature is currently being tested and is expected to become standard on Google Pixel devices in December.
Android users will soon experience a significant improvement in keyboard switching. A new feature being tested in Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a dedicated key on the navigation bar that allows for rapid switching between different keyboard apps and languages.
Imagine having the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple keyboards without navigating through settings or menus. This new key, visually represented as a globe, provides a direct and intuitive way to change keyboards on the fly. Whether you need to switch between different languages or prefer different keyboard apps for specific tasks, this feature offers a convenient solution.
For example, if you have multiple languages enabled and use both Gboard and SwiftKey, you can quickly toggle between them by pressing the new key. This eliminates the need for extra steps and ensures a smooth typing experience.
While this feature is currently in beta testing, it’s expected to become a standard part of Android 15 QPR1, which is scheduled to be released on Google Pixel devices in December. This means that many Android users will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of faster and more efficient keyboard switching.
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