Google has released a new software update for smart home devices that could make them true command centers for your home.

If you use a smart home device, you probably just ask it some questions or tell it to turn off the lights. However, tech companies are adding more functions to these machines. For example, Google has released a software update for the Nest Hub and the Lenovo Smart Display. With these updates, your smart home device could become your home’s nerve center. 

Google Smart Display: Your Day

Gizmodo reports that the software update contains new categories. These categories are Your Day, Home Control, Media, Communicate, and Discover. With Your Day, you can check the weather and set timers, among others. This section also gives you different content for different times of the day. Your Day becomes Your Morning, Your Afternoon, and Your Evening. 

Google's Smart Displays are getting a massive (and free) upgrade https://t.co/kcyXcV0wHz pic.twitter.com/pbDtHZAwj9

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) October 19, 2020

Google Smart Display: Home Control

With Home Control, you can use your home device to manage all connected devices. Before, you had to use voice commands to turn on your smart display. Then, you had to go to the device to adjust your smart lights’ brightness. With Home Control, though, you can do that just by tapping your display. 

Google Smart Display: Media

Google’s new update lets you manage the media playing across all connected devices. You can control music or listen to what’s playing throughout the house. With streaming support, you can even watch Netflix shows on your smart display. You can also watch YouTube, YouTube TV, and Disney+ shows on your device. Moreover, you can listen to podcasts on your smart display.

Smart displays with seven-inch and bigger screens will get the new Smart Display update today. The update will reach other devices in a week.

The post Google Updates Smart Home Devices with New Features first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

With COVID-19 still going on, it’s not impossible to watch every movie or TV show on Netflix. We can’t go outside anyway, so we might as well watch TV all day. So, Netflix wants to make finding new content easier for subscribers. The streaming site will roll out a new feature that groups all new content in one place.

Netflix plans to roll out the new feature after April tests. However, only TV devices can use it. 

Netflix’s New & Popular

The Verge reports that Netflix plans to call this new group “New & Popular.” Under this group, all the new content from the New on Netflix, the Top 10, and Coming Soon rows will sit together. 

Moreover, Netflix plans to add another new row called “Worth the Wait.” Under this section, you’ll receive previews of shows coming to the service in the next 15 or 365 days. 

Netflix’s Worth the Wait

Netflix also believes that the “Worth the Wait” row could be popular with subscribers. With the new row, you can now remind yourself to watch upcoming shows that might have interested you. The expectation of watching a new show in the future might keep subscribers from leaving Netflix. 

What’s Next for Netflix

In the last quarter, Netflix has added 10 million subscribers. However, it’s had trouble retaining subscribers. In 2019, Netflix even lost subscribers for the first time. Moreover, a crop of new streaming sites might steal their customer base. 

These new features might keep subscribers with Netflix for now, but only new and original content could keep them excited in the long-term.

The post Netflix Rolls Out New Features to Help You Find New Content first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins