Google Home for Wear OS rolls out Favorites Tile, a complication

Following last month’s announcement, Google Home is finally widely rolling out a new Wear OS Favorites tile and device complications.

Once deployed on your watch, opening Google Home will display a splash screen detailing “What’s new.” You may need to restart your watch for the Tile to appear.

The new Favorites tile displays the first five smart home devices you’ve favorited in the Google Home mobile app. Featuring a layout that matches the Google Contacts tile, each is represented by an icon (with a blue background by default) that opens the app to that card/page when tapped.

Compared to the widget, this isn’t an instant on/off switch. Instead, “Open” at the bottom of the tile takes you to the full list on your wrist.

The other update is a new type of complication, with Google Home for Wear OS already offering one that simply opens the app. After selecting “Device Shortcut” from the picker, you’ll see a list of devices. The icon you see next to the device name will appear on your watch face. This opens the app and takes you to a solo card that you can tap, swipe, or long-press.

Last month, Google also explained how Home for Wear OS was getting “deeper levels of control over your watch.” This includes the ability to adjust fan rotation, speed, and humidifier settings. The full list of “deeper controls” is below:

• Switch between home and away modes
• Select an input for devices that support inputs like smart TVs
• Control stations for devices that support the docking station function, such as smart vacuum cleaners
• Change modes – things like washing machine or dishwasher modes (delicate, quick cycle, etc.)
• Change buttons – things like fridge or dishwasher buttons (eco, boost, power cool, defrost, etc.)
• Adjust the brightness, color and temperature of your lights individually or in groups
• Turn a device on or off
• Control the volume of your devices
• Adjust the temperature of a thermostat
• Changing thermostat modes
• Set or select the fan speed in your home
• Use the voice control feature to change or adjust your fan speed

The new Favorites tile and its complication are rolling out as a server-side update with Google Home 2.73.57.4 for Wear OS.