Google Home

Google Home is an app that gives you instant access to all your smart home devices, from light bulbs to thermostats. Acting as a single hub, it saves you a lot of time needed to switch between different apps and wait for them to launch. You can download Google Home for your Android smartphone or tablet from Google Play.

Design 5/5

Designed by Google, the company behind Android OS, Google Home blends into the Android app ecosystem seamlessly. The minimalist design features a light background with just enough color in the labels and button to distinguish them from one another. This may seem a little bland to some people, but we found the straightforward interface with minimal distractions excellent.

Usability 5/5

Conceptually, Google Home is pretty much an organizer for your smart devices. As such, it is elementary to use. The app controls are very easy to figure out. Any buttons you might need are all present on the home screen, so adding a device and further managing it should not be a problem. The individual controls for all the smart devices are easy to use as well, with familiar icons and text labels to guide even the least experienced users.

Features 5/5

Google Home is your one-stop shop for managing your Chromecast, Google Home, and Google Nest devices. What’s more, it also supports hundreds of smart home devices from various manufacturers. If you have multiple smart devices installed in your home, chances are they are all compatible with Google Home.

The app acts as a very versatile remote control for the smart devices you own. Whether it is a TV, a thermostat, a light bulb, or a speaker, Google Home will allow you to control it with just a few taps. Since most smart homes have more than just one or two devices, Google Home offers a very convenient way of grouping your devices by rooms where they are installed. If you want to turn on the speaker in your living room, go to the “Living Room” group, and tap on the speaker icon to access its controls.

The shortcuts feature present in Google Home is another reason to love this app. You can program your own shortcuts and routines to instantly play your favorite songs, turn on the news, or show you the weather forecast with nothing more than a few taps.

In-app purchases 5/5

The Google Home app offers no in-app purchases. It is completely free and can be used with as many devices as you wish.

The Bottom Line

The Google Home app is a convenient hub for all your smart home devices, saving you time and effort needed to manage them. It works equally well with Google’s own devices as well as those produced by third-party manufacturers, so there’s hardly any reason for you to miss out on the top-notch experience offered by Google Home.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Supports lots of devices;
Intuitive design;
Free.

Cons

May have trouble connecting to certain devices.