Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Google adds dark mode and multiple accounts with new update for smart displays

Google Assistant’s smart displays are popular not only for their affordability, but also because of the number of features packed into each of the devices. Now that feature list grows even longer thanks to a new set of updates from Google. The most recent update adds a list of new features that will streamline your day to day experience with a Google Assistant-powered smart display.

One of the most notable features is a new “Your Morning” page. This contains everything you need to get started with your day, like reminders of your first meetings, a rundown of the news, and a glimpse of what the weather is like.

Another feature is the ability to reconnect with friends, family, and co-workers directly from the smart display through Zoom, Google Meet, and Duo. Zoom isn’t available just yet, but will be later this year. All of these services can be accessed through the Communicate page. You can also cancel and reschedule meetings and send a message to anyone involved to let them know if you’re running late.

There are more entertainment options, too. The Media page will suggest videos and shows to keep everyone entertained, as well as offer suggestions from music and video providers.

There are also quality-of-life features that many people have requested, including a dark theme. You can choose between this theme and a light theme, or opt for the automatic option instead. This will adjust the display naturally based on the ambient light in the room.

You can also wake up with the soon-to-come Sunrise Alarm. This will gradually increase the brightness of the screen over 30 minutes before your alarm goes off to help you wake up more naturally and shake off grogginess. Best of all, you can tell the alarm to stop simply by saying, “Stop.” You don’t have to say, “Hey, Google” — because who can manage to form complete sentences immediately after their alarm goes off?

Another feature is the Home Control page. This gives you an at-a-glance view of your entire smart home and allows you to control all connected devices throughout the house. Finally, you can set up multiple accounts on Google Assistant devices so that you can see the entire family’s schedule in one place. This also allows multiple users to control the device with ease.

These updates will roll out soon to Google Assistant devices, although some features (like Zoom) won’t be available until later in the year.

Editors' Recommendations

Patrick Hearn
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
The ‘Look and Talk’ feature means you don’t have to say ‘Hey Google’
Google assistant, displaying own photos.

How many times do you have to say, "Hey, Google" on a day-to-day basis? During the Google I/O event, the company announced two new features: "Look and Talk" and expanded "Quick Phrases."

Look and Talk lets you look directly at your Nest device and ask it a question without using the hotword. You can opt in to this feature, and once you do, all processing is done on-device. This means that Google -- or anyone else, for that matter -- won't see your face or hear your commands.

Read more
Home Depot’s new Hubspace-compatible items include smart plug
A woman sitting on her couch looking at the Hubspace app on her phone.

Home Depot is expanding its Hubspace smart home lineup. If you're unfamiliar with Hubspace, it's Home Depot's smart home line that works with many of its in-house brands.

Brands such as Commercial Electric, Defiant, Ecosmart, and Hampton Bay (as well as others) can all be linked through the Hubspace app and work together. Once linked, you can even connect Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to your Hubspace devices.

Read more
The Google Nest lineup needs a redesigned plug
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen on table.

Google is a company that gets a lot of things right. Its search engine is the most popular in the world, its lineup of smartphones is thriving, and its smart home products are among the most versatile on the market. But when it comes to designing plugs and power adapters for those smart home devices... well, it's time to go back to the drawing board.

The Google Nest Hub family boasts two of the most popular smart displays on the planet. Both the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max make it easy to connect with family, check your calendar, or get quick updates on your daily news. By all standard metrics, they're a runaway success -- and they've got the sales to back up those claims. The same goes for plenty of other products in the Nest family, which continue to dominate the marketplace.

Read more