Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

Google Home finally plays nicely with its own Google Play Movies

Lulu Chang
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Better late than never. Google has been showing off a number of shiny new features at its annual I/O Developer Conference, with upgrades announced to everything from Google Maps to Gmail to Google News. But one of the quieter announcements may be one of the more beneficial to Google users. Nearly two years after Google Home first made its debut, it’s now finally compatible with Google Play Movies. That means that you can now control Google’s native video streaming service using your Google Assistant and your voice.

The lack of this feature seemed to be a rather strange oversight from the Google Home team. After all, at launch in 2016, Google Home was able to communicate with your television’s Chromecast device and launch movies and shows from Netflix. But if you wanted to ask Assistant to launch something from Google Play Movies, you were out of luck. Until now, that is.

Recommended Videos

Now people with content in their Google Play Movies queue found that they were able to send them to their connected television sets by telling Google Assistant (via Google Home) to play one of these titles. Google did not make this announcement with any fanfare — after all, probably better not to point out the lack of a feature that probably should have been available at launch. But hey, we are not complaining now have access to even more movies by using our voice.

Related

Per a quick post on the Google Blog, the company notes, “The Assistant on Google Home has delivered hours of music, podcasts, books, and now includes movies and TV shows from Google Play Movies and TV. A simple “OK Google” gives you access to films and shows you’ve rented or purchased, plus content shared through Family Library.”

Though the feature officially began rolling out on Wednesday, May 10, don’t be alarmed if you do not see the option of playing content from Google Play Movies quite yet. Sometimes, these new features can take a little while to hit all devices across the country, so you can expect to see this new functionality within the next few days if you haven’t already.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
What is Home Depot’s Hubspace?
The Hubspace app shown in front of a living room.

Hubspace is Home Depot's version of the connected smart home. It was designed to give users a simple way to set up smart home products, while also ensuring its catalog of products remains affordable. It's similar to Google Home or Amazon Alexa, though it also integrates with these platforms to provide additional functionality.

Interested in picking up Hubspace gadgets for your home? Here's a look at everything you need to know.
What is Hubspace?

Read more
Nest Secure will be discontinued in April – prepare your smart home with these steps
Nest Secure Review

Google is dropping support for Nest Secure on April 8, at which time users will see a complete shutdown of its features. Whether you're using it as a bridge for your smart lock or as a home security system, the device will no longer connect to the internet, rendering it obsolete.

Google has already reached out to impacted users to let them know about the impending shutdown, but is there a replacement for Nest Secure available in 2024? And what exactly can you do to prepare for the discontinuation in April? Here's a look at everything you need to know about Nest Secure.
Check ADT for a Nest Secure replacement

Read more
Google Assistant loses 17 features as the company lays off employees
google assistant mobile.

In an attempt to streamline the platform and "focus on quality and reliability," Google is axing 17 features from Google Assistant. The move corresponds with news the tech company is laying off hundreds of employees from its voice assistant division, as well as the exit of Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman.

Google hasn't revealed an exact date for removing features, but in the next few months, you'll no longer be able to use your voice to send emails or audio messages, reschedule events in Google Calendar with your voice, or check your travel itinerary by voice. The full list of removals is staggering, encompassing 17 abilities.

Read more