Google introduced an updated Smart Display interface alongside the Nest Hub Max, and now you don’t need that new hardware to see what the fuss is about. If you’ve got yourself a Google Nest Hub, a Lenovo Smart Display, or anything else running Google’s own Smart Display UI, you should see some visual changes and tweaks in the near future.
The change isn’t just a fresh coat of paint. Google is partly prepping for the Nest Hub Max, which uses face detection to show Duo messages and reminders on the home screen when you gaze at the camera. In that light, this is as much about setting a new direction for Smart Displays as it is ensuring harmony in the smart home.
Google just pushed out an update for the interface that makes more use of the ambient display that’s on while the display is idle – the clock face or wallpaper becomes a blurred background as soon as you start interacting with it.
As 9to5Google reports, the dedicated weather forecast has been removed as well, and the time and date style has been tweaked and repositioned.
Part of the reasoning behind the change is preparing the ground for the Nest Hub Max, and making room for the Duo call reminders coming with the Face Match ID technology.
