The Most Convenient Smart Home Controls | Google Smart Home Hub

Or a camera that can show when the garbage truck arrives. Or a thermostat adjustable right from a TV remote. These ideas used to belong in an imagined future.

But these things aren’t just sci-fi. The Google Home app and compatible connected devices handle all of these tasks today. And they’re only getting better, thanks to the new (coming in spring 2026), fresh Gemini capabilities, and updates to the and the .² Finding a specific moment on a camera feed is now quick and easy.^3,4 Talking to Google and Nest speakers also feels much more natural.^5,6 Plus, adding Nest Wifi Pro for whole-home coverage ensures automations and voice commands work smoothly in every room.

Whether the goal is checking in on the house with a connected security system or automating daily chores, Google Home controls are simple to use and easy to customize.^1,2,3

Pixel Watch 4 does a little bit of everything. It tracks health, , and fitness, while also offering ways to look up directions, buy things online, and get hands-free help while out and about.

It also puts the control of connected home devices right at hand, anytime, from anywhere in the world. Seeing a live view of and feeds right on the wrist is easy using the Google Home app for Wear OS.¹ To get a better look at what is happening outside, just pinch to zoom, drag to pan, or use the crown button to shift the view. Receiving notifications onallows for talking directly to the person at the camera or doorbell.² Pre-selected Quick Responses – like asking a delivery person to leave a package at the door – make it incredibly simple to handle visitors when busy.

Picture being out for a long run when a neighbor stops by to drop off some fresh vegetables. As soon as she rings the doorbell, a notification appears on the phone and a live video feed shows up on the watch. Chatting with her through the wrist and even unlocking the front door to let her in happens without breaking a stride.

Customizing the face of Pixel Watch 4 provides easier access to relied-upon devices. Set up quick shortcuts to a connected lock, the lights in the kitchen, or the stereo in the living room.

If it is hot outside and cooling down the house is a priority, quickly accessing the

from the Favorites tile only takes a simple swipe on the watch.³ Now that satisfying rush of cold air is waiting the exact moment the front door opens.

With recent upgrades, operating connected devices – like lights, thermostats, and blinds – can happen right from a phone or by talking to a smart speaker.⁴ Speak naturally or switch topics in the middle of a request, and the speaker and connected devices understand.^9,10 Ask Gemini for real-time flight and hotel information for an upcoming trip, find YouTube videos of funny toasts, and start writing one, all in the same conversation.

If it is helpful to know whether the dog went out last night, or what happened to the recycling bins this morning, searching through the Nest camera history provides the answer. Just say to the new Google Home Speaker (coming in spring 2026), “Was the dog in the backyard last night?” or ask when the bins disappeared.⁶

For deep dives into complex topics, brainstorming the next family vacation, or getting step-by-step guidance on how to fix a leaky faucet, use . This is available with a Standard plan of the Google Home Premium subscription. For example, ask if Pluto is a planet, and then dig deeper by asking if scientists might change their minds again.

And now it’s possible to make Gemini work even better for your family. Centralized parental controls can help you take control of your child’s safety, content, and screen time. Manage supervised accounts, set Gemini content filters, and customize content limits - all in the Google Home app.

Google TV and the new (coming in spring 2026) can do even more with the latest upgrades. , which doubles as a , allows for controlling connected devices through the on the television. Easily turn on the lights, start a saved automation, or view a camera live stream to see if a package was delivered.^1,4,5

With the redesigned Google Home app, everything happens quickly and more easily than before. Keep favorites front and center with a clear, customizable view in the new Home tab. The Automations tab now shows helpful summaries of scheduled routines, plus tailored suggestions based on the devices in the house.

Creating automations is easier, too.¹¹ Just type what needs to happen – like asking to create a movie night routine – and let Gemini handle the rest. Whether that means locking the doors for the night, setting the exact right lighting for a film, or turning on the speakers, it is all controlled from a phone, , or on or .

There are even more controls available straight from a laptop. Just open Google Home for web in Chrome and watch live streams of and .^1,4,5

Play the video stream in the background while working or explore camera history directly from the browser.⁴ Plus, with a , searching video history for specific event descriptions helps locate the exact video clips needed.

Make downtime easier by turning into a dedicated home controller. Silence loud music playing in another room, call up a last-minute dinner recipe, or dim the lights for the evening. It's simple. Just dock the tablet and it transforms into a highly capable hub, accessible to anyone in the family by adding the home panel as the screensaver.

So, if you ever doubted that something from a futuristic tv show would one day be real, just take a look around. Adding Nest Wifi Pro for whole-home coverage ensures automations and voice commands work smoothly in every single room. With Pixel Tablet, phones, watches, and other favorite Google devices working together, managing the home is effortless.