Google Home APIs and Runtime

1/7/2025

This post announces the public developer beta of the Android version of the Google Home APIs and Home runtime. It details the Device and Structure APIs for unified device control, the Commissioning API for simplified device setup and onboarding, and the Automation API for creating and managing home automations. It also highlights early partner integrations from Eve, Nanoleaf, and LG.

1/7/2025

Announces the public developer beta launch of Home APIs for Android, with iOS coming soon. Highlights partner launches and showcases of apps built with the Google Home Platform. Details investments in Matter, including expanded hub reach via Google Home runtime integration into 40 million+ devices, increased development resources for Matter quality improvement (certification automation, interoperability scripting, SDK bug fixes), and joining CSA Interop Lab test results for streamlined certification. Introduces partnership with MediaTek on the Trinity chip (MT7903) to make Thread Border Router functionality more universal.

5/15/2024

Introduces the Home APIs and Home runtime, enabling app developers to integrate with Google Home devices and infrastructure. Key components include Device and Structure APIs for accessing over 600 million devices, a Commissioning API for Matter device setup, and an Automation API for creating and managing home automations using Google's intelligence signals. The post also announces the expansion of Google Home hubs to include Chromecast with Google TV, select TVs, and LG TVs, and highlights early partner integrations.

12/15/2022

This post announces the official readiness of Google Home for Matter devices and apps, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of smart home technology. It highlights the integration of the Matter standard into Google Home, enabling seamless connectivity and control of a wide range of smart home devices. The post details how developers can leverage the Google Home Developer Center to build and test Matter-compatible apps, emphasizing the importance of Matter for a unified and interoperable smart home ecosystem.

7/8/2020

This post announces the public developer beta of the Android version of the Home APIs and Home runtime, with iOS coming soon. It highlights the capabilities for building experiences for the home, including access to devices, Matter infrastructure, and an AI-powered automation engine. The APIs include Device and Structure APIs for unified control of cloud-connected and Matter devices, a Commissioning API for seamless device setup and onboarding, and an Automation API.

7/6/2020

This post introduces new Smart Home SHED (Smart Home Execution Device) types and traits, expanding the capabilities for device control and automation within the Google Home ecosystem. These new types and traits allow for more granular control and richer interactions with smart home devices.

6/18/2020

This post introduces local Home SDK support on Nest Wifi, enabling developers to build local integrations for smart home devices. This allows for faster response times and offline functionality for certain device commands, improving the reliability and performance of smart home applications. It highlights the technical shift towards local processing for enhanced user experience and reduced reliance on cloud connectivity for specific device interactions.

4/6/2020

This post announces the readiness of the Local Home SDK for Google Actions, enabling developers to build local fulfillment for smart home devices. This allows for faster and more reliable device control by executing commands directly on the user's local network, bypassing cloud latency. It introduces the concept of local fulfillment and the tools available to implement it, enhancing the performance and responsiveness of smart home integrations.

12/18/2019

This post announces the formation of the Project Connected Home over IP (CHIP) initiative, a collaboration between Google, Amazon, Apple, and the Zigbee Alliance to create a new open standard for smart home devices. The goal is to simplify development for manufacturers and increase compatibility for consumers. Google's contribution to this effort will be integrated into its existing smart home platform.

7/9/2019

This post announces the developer preview of the Local Home SDK, a new component of the Google Home Developer Console. The SDK enables developers to execute device commands locally on a user's device, reducing latency and improving reliability for smart home integrations. It supports custom device types and provides a framework for building local control experiences, moving beyond cloud-dependent interactions.

12/19/2018

This post details the development of 'Tasty', a recipe application for the Google Home Hub, showcasing how developers can leverage the Google Assistant and its conversational interface to create engaging user experiences on smart displays. It highlights the use of conversational actions, intents, and fulfillment logic to deliver recipe information and cooking instructions through voice commands. The technical aspects include defining intents for recipe search and step-by-step guidance, and implementing fulfillment logic to retrieve and present recipe data in a user-friendly, spoken format.