In an exciting new update, the Google Home app has officially rolled out enhanced access levels for users as part of its Public Preview program. Just as was hinted in last month's announcements, the app now distinguishes between two main categories of user access: Admin and Member.

What Are the New Access Levels?

1. **Admin Access**: This level is designed for trusted partners or individuals who co-manage the smart home environment with the primary user. Admins have full control over all settings, allowing them to make critical changes and oversee every aspect of the setup.

2. **Member Access**: This new tier is more limited, yet it is still quite powerful. Members can choose from two different access types:

Settings Access

With this tier, Members can: - Control and adjust device settings - Manage home-wide configurations, including household automations, setting the home address, and handling Nest Wifi device features, as well as services like Nest Aware and Nest Renew.

Activity Access

This allows Members to: - Review device and home-wide histories including footage from cameras, lock activity, Nest Wifi performance, and overall home presence records.

How to Set Up Member Access

The rollout of this Member access feature is currently ongoing, so keep your Google Home app updated. Members who are accepted into the testing program can invite others for the new access levels. It's noteworthy that those who receive invitations do not need to be part of the test program; they simply require the latest version of the Google Home app.

To add new members, navigate to: - Settings tab > Household & Access > Add > Home Member - Enter the person's name and email address. They will receive an invite to join.

Why This Update Matters

The introduction of these access levels is a significant move for Google as it enhances user control over smart home devices and improves collaborative management for households. This also suggests a growing trend in smart home technology towards more customizable and user-friendly experiences, making it easier for families and trusted individuals to manage devices collectively without compromising security or privacy.

With the heightened competition among smart home systems, it's clear that Google is continuously looking to improve and refine its offerings, prioritizing user needs and trending complexities of modern home management.

Stay tuned for more updates on Google Home and other smart technologies!