Skip to main content

Google Home is getting an update, adding third-party support and more

google home version 23 speaker 1142x761
It’s been a year since Google Assistant and Google Home first entered the smart home space, competing with the more established Amazon Alexa and the Echo suite. And now, as Google I/O 2017 draws ever nearer, we’re getting a sense of just what the Silicon Valley company has up its sleeve that will give Amazon a run for its money. It would appear that the APK file of the newest update to the Google Home app (version 2.3) adds quite a few new features, including support for third-party Google Assistant speaker devices, listing reminders in the Google Home app, and more.

As outlined by the folks over at XDA, it looks as though you’ll soon be able to control Google Assistant on a third-party device, much as you can with Alexa. While Google recently released the Google Assistant SDK, allowing non-Home devices to integrate Assistant, there aren’t that many companies taking advantage of this offering. But now, it would appear that Google is making that easier. XDA predicts that the Google Home app will soon recognize third-party devices and let you configure them. 

Then, there are smaller (though just as necessary) updates like the ability of users to see all their reminders in one place. While you’re currently able to see your shopping list (or any other list) by opening the sidebar of the Google Home app, you can’t actually see everything on various lists. That ought to change with the updated app.

Similarly, it seems as though you’ll soon be able to clear your search history straight from the Google Home app, so if you’ve been Googling some questionable queries, you don’t have to go to your account via a web browser — you can just rid yourself of the evidence straight from the app.

XDA also suggests that the Google Home app may be preparing for Bluetooth device management activity, and may allow you to change notification sounds, and begin sending customers surveys asking them to rate their experience.

In any case, we ought to have more clarity around these updates at Google I/O 2017.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
The best Google Home commands in 2021
Man in kitchen talking to Google Home.

If you have Google Home or a similar smart Nest device in your house, then Google Assistant is just a quick voice command away. And while some voice commands are obvious, like asking about the weather or creating a reminder for later in the day, there are other excellent, useful commands that many users don’t know about. We’re working to change that with this updated list of the best commands for a Google Home or Nest device, and why they’re great to keep in rotation!

Note: Google Assistant can also control a host of various compatible smart devices. Take a look at our list for some examples when you feel like building out your smart home a bit more.

Read more
Siri’s coming to third-party devices with latest HomeKit update
apple siri homekit update ios 15 news wwdc 2021 home overview copy

Apple announced new updates to its HomeKit smart home platform at WWDC 2021, helping to diversify the ecosystem and operating system for all of its home-focused devices. This means the HomePod mini will have many more integrations with other HomeKit-compatible devices. The launch of Homekit's latest update will come with the release of iOS 15, to expand the Siri-powered smart home beyond its current limits.

HomeKit has always lagged behind Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in terms of compatibility and utility, relegated mostly to an audience of Apple enthusiasts. The announcement of HomeKit's expanded functionality means Apple is moving to improve its standing within the smart home market, including Siri's integration with third-party devices later this year -- something that will help to grow Apple's presence in the smart home space in a significant way. There's even going to be more integration of the Home app with the upcoming release of WatchOS 8 with the Apple Watch.

Read more
Ring’s Neighbors app gets more transparent with latest update
amazon drops the price for ring video doorbell 2 and throws in an echo dot with 4

Ring's Neighbors app is a tremendous add-on for Ring product owners but is also available for free on any iOS or Android device. Built from the ground up, the Neighbors service allows users to receive and post safety information with one another, in addition to public safety agencies that serve those communities. Utilizing posted content from regular Neighbors users and law enforcement agencies, the app offers a massive peace-of-mind solution by keeping communities informed and connected -- although, the means by which law enforcement has used the service to solicit information from users has been a point of contention.

Up until now, police, fire, and other investigative public services have had the ability through Ring to request device owners to send recorded video to investigative units with a Neighbors function called Video Requests. During community investigations, device owners would receive private emails from law enforcement seeking surveillance footage from their Ring hardware -- a solicitation that Ring owners could choose to accept or ignore. By changing privacy settings, users could also completely opt out of Video Requests altogether.

Read more