Google Home app redesigning media controls, adding ‘Member access’

In addition to “AI Camera Search” with clip descriptions, Google today detailed other upcoming Home app features, like a redesign of media controls.

Today, opening a device tile that’s actively playing media shows an arc-shaped volume controller with large play/pause and next/previous buttons in the middle. This is followed by the title (and artist) with a progress bar underneath and 30-second rewind. You also get shortcuts to “Stop casting” and “Open [app].”

Old vs. new

Google Home is now rolling out “improved media controls” with “refreshed media controls, including vibrant artwork and colors, an easy-to-use interface, and faster performance.”

After launching the device tile, you’re greeted with a large rectangular card that’s styled after Android media notifications. The artwork preview is quite large with the app icon in the top-left corner. That’s followed by the song title and artist with play/pause at the right. The progress bar with next/previous controls round out this card.

Below that is a thick Material 3 slider for volume, Stop casting, and Open [app]. The shared design language with Android is nice, with the page looking much more modern. We’re not seeing this live just yet in Google Home for Android or iOS.

Meanwhile, Google today also announced a “Member access” feature to “share your smart home with those you trust, without giving anyone more control than they need.”

You can choose between “full Admin access or customizable Member access (like for roommates, kids, grandparents, babysitters, etc.) when you add a new person to your Google Home.”

Member access is “coming soon” to the Google Home app. Compared to what’s already available, this should be much more granular and limited.

Google today also mentioned the Google Home Gemini Extension, Nest Cam/Doorbell feeds on the Pixel Watch 3, Nest Doorbell notifications on Pixel Tablet, two new Pixel Tablet Hub Mode clocks, Android 15’s Home Panel screen saver, Home Panel on Google TV, Gemini-powered Google TV overviews, and the Google Home widgets on Android and iOS.