Favorites tab Archives

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

First look at the Google Home app powered by Gemini

Google is enhancing its Google Home platform by integrating Gemini and updating the Google Home app to version 3.41.50.3. The update includes a redesign for improved usability, featuring the new "Ask Home" capability for controlling smart devices through typed or verbal commands and searching home history. The Favorites tab has been rebranded to "Home," and the Devices and Settings tab has been simplified. Users can add outdoor air quality and temperature as favorite tiles, and new icons for video and a thermometer suggest potential upcoming Nest hardware releases. The app's updates are expected to roll out features previously tested in Google's Public Preview program.

AppWizard

September 16, 2025

Google Home app finally supports hot water controls for Nest thermostats

The Google Nest team has introduced enhancements to the Google Home app, including hot water controls for users in the UK and Europe. These features allow users to manage hot water systems, set heating schedules, adjust temperatures, and boost hot water supply. The new functionalities are available for the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen UK/EU and the Nest Thermostat E. Specific features include hot water boost, hot water scheduling, Heat Link temperature control, and an Eco button. Additionally, the Google Home app now offers expanded controls for non-thermostat climate devices, outdoor weather and air quality information, outdoor temperature visibility, simplified settings, and bug fixes. Full temperature scheduling for older Nest thermostats has also been implemented in the Google Home app.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Google Phone app’s simpler layout is now hitting more devices

Google has updated its Phone app, removing the Favorites tab and integrating favorite contacts into a row at the top of the Recents tab. The new version, 182.0.779772896-publicbeta, condenses the layout to display call history and favorites together. The "Frequents" list has also been eliminated, limiting access to frequently called contacts. The interface now features a single, scrollable list, with the user's profile picture, name, and email address visible while scrolling. This redesign is being rolled out on devices like the OnePlus 13, Google Pixel, and Samsung smartphones running Android 16 and 16 QPR1, with Google Play services updated to version 25.25.33.

AppWizard

July 11, 2025

Google removes an often used tab from its Android phone app but don’t worry

In a recent update to the Phone by Google app, the Favorites tab has been moved from the bottom of the screen to the top, with an arrow indicating its functionality. For beta users, tapping the down arrow reveals five favorite contacts and a button to add new favorites. This redesign improves user experience and layout, allowing more space for Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail tabs, and makes the Floating Action Button (FAB) for the dial pad more accessible. The update is available on devices like the Pixel 6 Pro running Android 16 QPR1 Beta, version 182.0.779772896-publicbeta. Users not seeing the new feature may be awaiting a server-side rollout. Pixel users can check the app version by navigating to Settings > Apps > See all apps, locating the Phone app, and scrolling to the bottom of the App info page.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Google Phone app starts removing the ‘Favorites’ tab on Android

Google is redesigning the Phone by Google app under the Material 3 Expressive framework, phasing out the Favorites tab in favor of a "Favorites bar" at the top of the Recents feed, now rebranded as "Home." This new bar will feature a carousel of favorites with larger profile avatars and an "Add" shortcut. The app's navigation will be simplified into three main sections: Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail, along with a floating action button for quick access to the number pad. The latest beta version, 182, has been rolled out, but some users may not see the changes immediately due to server-side components. The redesign will also affect both Pixel and non-Google phones, with a streamlined bottom navigation bar consisting of Home, Keypad, and Voicemail.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Google experiments with ditching the Favorites tab in the Phone app for a simpler layout

Google is testing a redesign of its Phone app for certain Pixel 8 Pro devices, specifically version 178.0.765584175-publicbeta. The update removes the dedicated Favorites tab, replacing it with a horizontal row of favorite contacts at the top of the Recents screen. This change was first reported by a Telegram user, @h_muc, who shared screenshots of the new interface. The redesign also eliminates the frequent contacts section that was previously located beneath the favorites. A new Add button has been added to allow users to link directly to their contact list for adding more favorites. The rollout is still in the testing phase, and it is uncertain if these changes will be implemented across all devices.