Google Home app gets new interface, brings more routines – Times of India

Google is reportedly working on adding more user interface (UI) as the Home app ramps up preview testing for its major redesign. However, it seems to be breaking existing Assistant routines for some users.
The Google Home app has introduced a new user interface that adds smart home devices to routines, reports 9to5Google. The update now allows users to manage the other features of the device, as opposed to the earlier page’s drop-down settings that only allowed users to adjust the on or off settings for each light or switch in the house.

What’s new
The update will give access to users a deeper menu that includes– colour, brightness, and more depending on the device being controlled.
As per the report, Google wants to improve automation, however it is now taking a longer time to add routines for smart devices. The report cites an example of having Google Assistant turning off all lights. In the new interface, users have to do this by adding individual step for every single device’s return. Alternatively, users can add a custom command by asking Assistant to “turn off all the lights.
The new UI is now live in both the Google Home Public Preview redesign and the standard Home app design.
Google Messages get updated
Google is simultaneously working on its Messaging app for Android. In October, the company revealed a redesigned logo for the app and now it’s time for the app to undergo some internal changes. With this, users will now be able to change the notification sound that plays when there’s an incoming message.
The Google Messages app will also notify the user of incoming or outgoing messages when a thread is open.
Now use more emojis to react to messages
Other notable changes are the Rich Communication Service (RCS) in Google Messages which allows users to react using any emoji instead of selecting from the limited number–seven–that are currently available.