Google Home App Gets Battery-Saving Update, Early Access to MCP

Google has rolled out several updates and improvements to its Google Home app. The most notable change is that Home app widgets will now pause background updates and polling when a phone's screen is off, locked, or running a screensaver. This should help conserve battery life.

The update also addresses some common issues users have been experiencing with the app. For example, Gemini-powered devices will no longer interrupt themselves during Live Mode. The Home app has also received a smoother multi-account switching feature, reducing instances of 'Home not found' errors and preference resets when switching accounts.

Additionally, Google Home Model Context Protocol (MCP) is now available in early access for English-speaking users in the US who have a Google Home Premium Advanced subscription. MCP allows personal AI agents to interact with Google Home, enabling features like building custom dashboards that provide a view of your smart home.