Google Home is testing new AI features to manage all your routines

Google Home is making significant strides in its app development, with new features focused on AI integration, routine management, and vacation mode functionality revealed through recent code analysis.

Key developments; Google Home version 3.29’s dogfood build showcases several upcoming features that could reshape how users interact with their smart home ecosystem.

• A new Floating Action Button will provide AI-generated insights based on app usage and device interactions
• Users will be able to provide feedback on these insights and filter them to show favorites
• The integration leverages Google’s Gemini AI technology, part of a broader effort to incorporate AI across Google’s product suite

Interface updates; A complete overhaul of the routine creation system introduces more intuitive and powerful controls.

• The new UI implements a card-based system that slides up from the bottom of the screen
• A dedicated “Conditions” section joins existing Starters and Actions features
• Time range settings offer more flexible scheduling options compared to the current fixed-time system
• Presence detection capabilities combine sensor data from smart home devices with phone location information

Vacation mode progress; The previously spotted vacation mode feature has received significant updates.

• Users can now access an interface for setting specific travel dates
• The system allows for configuration of automated actions during extended absences
• Integration with existing Home & Away routines provides comprehensive coverage of occupancy-based automation

Technical implementation; The features were discovered through an APK teardown, though their final form may evolve before public release.

• Current findings are based on work-in-progress code
• The UI elements and feature implementations may undergo further refinement
• Some discovered features might not make it to the final public release

Future implications; These updates suggest Google’s commitment to making home automation more intelligent and user-friendly, while the focus on AI integration indicates a strategic shift toward more predictive and personalized smart home experiences.