The Google Home app is enhancing user experience by introducing a new access role called "Member," which is now widely available following the v3.33 update. This update, first announced earlier this month on the Nest Community blog, also includes significant improvements to Nest video history scrubbing. The "Member" role is designed to facilitate secure access to your smart home devices while maintaining control over what users can and cannot do.
The "Member" role in the Google Home app allows users to share access with family members, roommates, and guests in a safe and efficient manner. According to Google, this feature enables you to add trusted individuals to your home without granting them unnecessary control. By default, users assigned this role can operate devices but are restricted from adding new devices or modifying existing ones. They can only perform basic functions such as turning devices on or off and viewing live feeds from a Nest camera.
While the default settings for the "Member" role provide limited access, you can customize permissions to enhance user experience. Additional capabilities can include viewing "Activity" logs, which encompass camera history, and accessing key settings. However, it's important to note that even with these permissions, there are still numerous functions that "Members" will be unable to access, ensuring that your home remains secure.
One of the most exciting features of the new "Member" role is its support for children's accounts. Google now allows users to add children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age in your region) to your home, provided they are part of your Google family group. This means that for the first time, children can use the Google Home app to control smart devices, such as turning on and off lights, playing music, and even unlocking the door when they return home from school.
To add a child to your Google Home setup, they must be included in your Google family group. Once they are part of this group, they can join your home as a "Member." This feature not only promotes responsible use of technology among younger users but also helps parents manage and supervise their children's interaction with smart home devices.
The Google Home app v3.33 update brings more than just the "Member" role. It features a substantially improved video scrubbing experience for Nest users, making it easier to navigate through video history. Furthermore, enhancements to the Google Home web app are on the horizon, promising increased controls and integration with Gemini, which will facilitate broadcasting capabilities.
In conclusion, the introduction of the "Member" role in the Google Home app marks a significant step towards offering customizable access to smart home devices. By allowing for family member interactions while ensuring security, Google continues to enhance the user experience within the smart home ecosystem.
