Google Home makes it easier to understand why devices aren’t working

Thanks to Google Home’s latest update, users may be able to get offline devices working again with less troubleshooting. Now, whenever a device goes offline, users may get “instant account-relinking prompts” in the app’s device controller pages, which will tell users right away if an expired partner link is the reason one of their smart home devices isn’t connected.

Google’s new “Home Vitals” program may also help prevent connection issues from causing devices to go offline to begin with. According to Google, its new Home Vitals website “enables developers to monitor their device integration health, identify connection errors, and proactively resolve issues.” For users, that could mean faster, more stable device connections with devices on Google Home.

Google also says Gemini is “now better at identifying when a request is a standalone command versus a follow-up, which helps reduce unnecessary questions.” Additionally, Google has “streamlined” how Google Home recognizes device commands, resulting in “a significant speed boost—up to 1.5 seconds.” After this update, users should notice “snappier” responses for basic commands like turning on lights or checking and setting timers. However, Google notes that these response speed improvements are currently only supported for commands in English, French, and Spanish.