Google’s been steadily pushing the Home web app closer to parity with its mobile counterpart, and the latest update is a big step forward: you can now control more than just cameras and automations. The new Devices tab, rolling out as part of the Public Preview program, brings support for lights, thermostats, smart plugs, and even locks. But don’t mistake this for a complete experience just yet.

Google Home continues to show progress

Slowly but surely getting better and more versatile

A graphic of a phone with a Google Home menu displayed on it.
Source: Android Police

Functionally, the interface mirrors the Google Home tablet layout. Devices are grouped alphabetically by room in a list on the right, with a sidebar that makes it easy to jump to specific sections. The familiar tile grid makes an appearance, with one-tap on/off toggles. You can bump the thermostat temperature up or down, and the overflow menu offers modes like Heat, Cool, Heat + Cool, and Off. Smart plugs and locks also work as expected. For lights, you can adjust brightness by dragging on the tile, but there’s no color picker yet.

That said, you’ll still run into the “Controls for this device are not yet supported” message on certain gadgets. Media hardware including speakers, displays, and Chromecasts may show up in the grid, but for now, you can’t actually control them. Camera control, on the other hand, still works properly through the feed view.

The Big G itself admits the rollout is unfinished. It’s just a preview, so far, and a banner in the app warns that “some features may be limited,” with promises that “more device types and controls are coming soon.” It’s an incremental update, not the polished all-in-one dashboard some users have been waiting years for.

If you’re enrolled in the Public Preview, you can try it now at home.google.com. Just temper your expectations. The expanded control teaser is progress, but Google Home on the web is still a work in progress.


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