A new update is now available for the Google Home app—version 4.8—unlocking new actions for Matter-compatible remotes and buttons, humidity sensors, robot vacuums, and lighting.
"We are constantly improving our automation editors and abilities. Today, we are releasing the below starters, conditions and actions. These are only available in the Google Home app using the automation editor and are not yet supported by Ask Home or Help me create."
Google Home app update: Matter gets physical
We've lamented for years over Google Home's lack of support for buttons in reviews for devices such as the IKEA BILRESA and TUO/arre Smart Button, as they were essentially useless when connected to Google's ecosystem. Today's update finally removes this limitation, as users can now assign their Matter buttons and remotes to trigger actions for other smart home devices with or without a delay and send customized notifications.
According to Google, single, double, and long-press starter actions are supported, effectively giving Matter button owners of just a single button three distinct actions. For example, a single press on a smart button can be used to turn on a connected light bulb, a double press can turn it off, or a long-press can set it to a desired brightness level.
arre Smart Button
A versatile smart button with Matter and Thread support, enabling seamless control of smart home devices with customizable press functions.
BILRESA scroll wheel
A tactile scroll-wheel remote that lets you adjust light brightness, colour, and scenes with a simple turn or press.
BILRESA Remote Control with Dual Button
A simple, two-button remote that lets you control smart lighting functions like power, brightness, colour, and scenes from anywhere nearby.
Google Home app update: other starters, conditions, and actions
Other new additions to Google Home starters and conditions are the ability to use specific humidity levels, robot vacuum docking status, device battery status, and binary device states.
Google's release notes mention the following brief starter and condition examples:
- "When the humidity is above 60%..."
- "If the vacuum is docked..."
- "If the battery is charging..." or "When the battery is low..."
For binary devices, example starters/conditions include "If there's a leak" or "If the window is open..." . Other supported examples include:
- Closed or open
- Contact or no contact
- Freeze or no freeze
- Leak or no leak
And finally, the latest Google Home update enables new actions for light bulbs and other lighting. Google states that users can now set a smart light to a specific color or temperature with actions like “...set the living room light to blue” or “...set the bedroom light to a warm white”.
Google Home: a slow progression
With today's update, Google Home is one step closer to fulfilling some of the original promises of Matter—to provide a base set of features and ensure device compatibility regardless of the smart home ecosystem. However, even with the latest developments, Google still has a long way to go to meet other Matter specifications, so we are hoping to see continued improvements regularly going forward.
(Source: Google)
