Smart Displays To Get Even Smarter

Google’s smart displays are getting new features that should extend their usefulness beyond just media consumption. The Search giant aims to make them companions at home, and a hub that will help us centralize and control connected smart devices. The new functions are supposed to keep you on track and informed of the latest events.

These are some of the new things that will be pushed to smart devices:

Morning Briefings: When you get up, just tap the smart display’s “Your morning” page. It will then provide you with information on your reminders, meetings, morning news and the day’s weather. The same is true for the afternoons and evenings.

Media Delivery: Select the “Media” page and you will have access to suggested videos and shows from platforms such as Disney+, Netflix, YouTube TV and Spotify. It’s supposed to help liven up your day with the family.

Take Control: New visual layout for the Home Control page helps you control your smart devices around the home.

Source: Google

Productive Tools: Zoom will be coming to smart displays later this year. It will join Google Meet and Duo in ensuring that you never miss a conference call. Meet on Next Hub Max will auto-frame to keep the camera centered on you, even if you move around. There’s also the ability to customize Meet based on your preference.

Dark Theme: You know have the ability to toggle between light and dark mode. The latter reduces light emission to make it easier on your eyes at night.

Choose How To Start And End Your Day: Choosing the Sunrise Alarm (available soon) will allow the smart display’s screen brightness to gradually increase 30 minutes before your alarm goes off. It does this to mimic the effects of a sunrise. There are several different alarms to choose from, and they can be assigned to go off on different days. Just say “Stop” to turn off an alarm.

At night, you can select different relaxing sounds to make it easier to unwind or fall asleep. They include various pleasing tracks as well as that of rainfall or the sounds of crickets. If you’re having trouble deciding, you can ask Google to select one for you.