{
  "id": 14541072,
  "title": "Google Home update rolling out with improved Favorites, more app & Gemini fixes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/google-home-update-rolling-out-with-improved-favorites-more-app",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-14T20:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "9to5Google",
    "slug": "9to5google",
    "url": "https://9to5google.com/2026/10/14/google-home-update-rolling-out-improved-favorites-gemini-fixes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google has rolled out a new update for Google Home, aimed at enhancing user experience through various improvements. The update focuses on reordering favorite devices, redesigned controls for third-party smart home devices, and fixes for Gemini commands. The Favorites tab in Google Home, which is likely the most used feature for many users, has seen significant improvements. Drag and drop functionality within the Favorites view is now more stable, making the management of this page a much more pleasant experience.\n\nFor those who prefer voice-controlled devices, Google has rolled out several fixes specifically for Gemini. These include more reliable \"stop\" commands that prevent misinterpretations, leading to more accurate and consistent responses from Gemini. A notable improvement is the implementation of \"more natural ways\" to end a conversation with Gemini, allowing users to quickly close the mic and end the chat with a simple \"thank you.\" Other Gemini-related fixes include better differentiation between relaxing music and ambient sounds, and consistent temperature units for weather based on user preferences set within Google Home settings.\n\nIn addition to Gemini improvements, the update brings several other enhancements. Large smoke alarm banners within the app now include event time information, providing users with more comprehensive alerts. The progress bar for scrubbing along paused video on Android has been made more responsive, improving the overall user experience. Furthermore, Google has introduced Matter control for Phillips Hue lights, allowing users to control these lights using their existing bridges.\n\nOverall, the update aims to provide a more seamless and intuitive experience for users interacting with Google Home. With these improvements, Google has demonstrated its commitment to refining its smart home ecosystem and ensuring that users have access to the most user-friendly and reliable tools available.",
  "summary": "Google Home is getting a fresh update with improvements to reordering your favorite devices, redesigned controls for third-party smart home devices, and some much-needed fixes for Gemini commands. more…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Computerworld",
        "title": "Google positions Gemini 4 Argon for long-horizon agentic work",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/google-positions-gemini-4-argon-for-long-horizon-agentic-work",
        "published": "2026-10-14T11:32:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}