Google Home for Wear OS introduces Favorites tiles, complications

Following last month’s announcement, Google Home is finally rolling out its new Favorites tile on Wear OS and device complications to the general public.

Once the app is available on your watch, a splash screen appears when you open the Google Home app that says “What’s new.” You may need to restart your watch for the tile to appear.

The new “Favorites” tile shows the first five smart home devices you’ve added to your favorites in the Google Home mobile app. Each one has a layout that matches the Google Contacts tile and is represented by an icon (with a default blue background) that opens the app to that tab/page when tapped.

Compared to a widget, it’s not an instant on/off switch. Meanwhile, “Open” at the bottom of the tile takes you to the full list on your wrist.

The other update is a new type of complication, as Google Home for Wear OS already offers one that simply opens the app. When you tap “Device Shortcut,” you’ll see a list of devices in the picker. The icon next to the device name will appear on the watch face. This will open the app and take you to a single card that you can tap, swipe, or press and hold.

Last month, Google also detailed how Home for Wear OS will get “deeper levels of control from your watch.” That includes the ability to adjust fan speeds, speeds, and humidifier settings. The full list of “deeper controls” is below:

• Switching between home and away modes
• Select input for input-enabled devices such as Smart TVs
• Control docking stations for docking-enabled devices, such as smart vacuum cleaners
• Changing modes – for example, washing machine or dishwasher modes (delicate, quick cycle, etc.)
• Change the switches – things like the switches on your fridge or dishwasher (eco, boost, high cool, defrost, etc.)
• Adjust the brightness, color, and temperature of your lighting individually or in groups
• Turning the device on and off
• Control the volume of your devices
• Set the thermostat temperature
• Switching Thermostat Modes
• Set or select the fan speed in your home
• Use voice commands to change or set fan speed

The new Favorites tile and complication are rolling out as a server-side update with Google Home version 2.73.57.4 for Wear OS.