Google Home Testing New Access Tiers for Smart Home Management

Google Home Introduces New Access Features for Smart Device Management

Google Home is testing an innovative feature that will empower friends and family members to help manage smart devices in your home. With user-friendly access levels, this update aims to enhance the smart home experience.

Understanding Access Levels

Google Home offers two distinct access levels: Admin and Member. Each level is designed for different needs and responsibilities when it comes to managing smart home devices.

Admin Access

The Admin access level is intended for "trusted partners or people who co-manage the home with you." This comprehensive access allows users to:

• Add, remove, and manage users within the household.
• Install and uninstall devices connected to the platform.
• Link subscriptions to your family’s home account.

Member Access

On the other hand, the Member access is geared towards individuals who require a more limited control over household settings. Members can manage basic operations, such as:

• Viewing live feeds from security cameras.
• Adjusting personal preferences like voice and face matching for assistant features.

Tiered Member Permissions

Google has also introduced two specific permission tiers under the Member access:

• Settings: This permission allows full control over devices and home-wide settings, including automation and managing the Nest Wifi device network.
• Activity: This option permits access to device and home-wide history concerning items like cameras, locks, and various sensors.

How to Add New Users

The customizable access levels were first announced in November alongside the launch of the Google Home extension for Gemini. Only participants enrolled in the Google Home public preview have the capability to send out invitations for these new access levels.

To add someone as an Admin or a Member, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap on Household and access.
4. Select the plus icon (+) to invite a new member.

An important detail to note is that those you invite do not need to be enrolled in the public preview to join your home setup, but they must have the latest version of the Google Home app.

Conclusion

This new feature from Google Home reflects the growing trend of interconnected smart homes, aiming to make life more convenient and secure. With the ability to customize access levels, households can ensure better management of smart devices, making sharing technology with family and friends easier than ever.

Stay updated with our articles for more news on the latest trends in smart home technology!