Skip to main content

Google’s new app is geared specifically toward home improvement pros

Looking for someone to take on that home improvement project you’ve postponed for … well, ever? Google may be able to help. The internet giant is now looking into your physical space with a new app called Home Service Ads aimed exclusively at home professionals, including cleaners, plumbers, electricians, painters, and other such service providers. While this app isn’t actually aimed toward customers, it is meant to help handymen and other home improvement experts get listed and discovered through Google, and also manage their communications, quotes, and scheduling with potential customers.

“Home Services puts trustworthy local house cleaners, locksmiths, plumbers, and other professionals in front of people who are looking to find and book quickly,” Google explains on its website. In order to join, service providers have to fill out a brief form, inputting information like their business name, website, and contact information. If this is completed and verified, professionals may soon find themselves listed in the Home Service unit, which appears at the top of Google’s search results when a potential customer looks for local services.

Recommended Videos

“Appearing in the Home Service unit is a badge of trust — only providers who have met Google’s qualifying criteria will be featured in the unit,” Google noted. “People will see real reviews, helping you build a great online reputation.”

And now, Google’s app makes managing this process easier than ever. You’ll have to already be registered with home service ads, and will need your login details and password to even enter the app. But if you qualify, the app ought to make it easier for you to manage customers; you’ll be able to respond to requests, create appointments, read reviews, and more.

As it stands, the Home service ads app is only available in select cities in the United States, and is in a pilot phase. Available verticals also vary by location. You can, of course, visit a website to sign up and see if you’re eligible to take part, and seeing that this appears to be an extremely useful tool for professionals and customers alike, it seems as though it’ll soon be made more widely available.

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…
How to use the Google Home app on a computer
Google Home icon on home screen.

Google Home makes it easy to manage all your smart devices through your smartphone or tablet. Giving you access to your camera feeds, smart thermostat, smart lights, and more, Google Home is one of the most popular smart home platforms on the market. But while there's a lot to love about Google Home, it lacks full PC support. However, that's slowly starting to change – here's a look at how to use the Google Home app on your PC and control your devices from a larger display.
Can you use the Google Home app on a PC?
Google Home doesn't have a PC app, but it does have a website. Unfortunately, Google notes that Google Home for web is in Public Preview, meaning not all features are available and you may encounter glitches during use. The website is seeing constant updates, so there's a good chance it'll work just as well as the mobile apps in the future. Be sure to check it out regularly to see what's been added.

There are a few other workarounds you can implement to get Google Home on your PC. Read on to learn about the alternatives.
Use Google Home through your Chromebook

Read more
Google Home adds new camera features and support for Nest Cam Outdoor
The interface on Google Home allowing you to capture custom clips.

Google Home is one of the best smart home platforms, and it's just gotten more exciting with the rollout of new camera features and support for the Nest Cam Outdoor. These updates are currently limited to Public Preview users, though we expect to see them launched to all users soon.

One of the biggest additions is support for the first-generation Nest Cam Outdoor. Google will be rolling out eligibility to users over the next few weeks -- so if you're a Public Preview user and don't have access right away, you may have to wait a bit longer. Once the feature has been pushed to your camera, you can use it like you would any other device in Google Home. This includes having access to an updated camera history interface.

Read more
Google Home adds support for Nest Cam Indoor
A cartoon depiction of the Google Home app and Nest Cam Indoor.

Google Home is continuing to expand its roster, with Google today adding support for the Nest Cam Indoor (1st Gen). This allows you to manage all aspects of your camera, such as checking your notification history and accessing your camera feed.

There’s a bit of a catch, as support for Nest Cam Indoor is only available in Public Preview. To join Public Preview and gain early access to the feature, you’ll need to dive into the Settings on your Home app and select Join Public Preview. You’ll then get a prompt to update Public Preview -- accept this invitation, and you’ll see another prompt letting you know when you’re eligible to transfer your camera to Google Home.

Read more