Google Assistant Routines can now start whether you're coming or going

Never stumble around in the dark again

With so many smart home gadgets on the market these days, complete automation isn’t just a dream — it’s a reality. Google’s Home app already syncs with all of your pre-existing light bulbs, cameras, and thermostats, controlling them on your behalf when you’re out and about. With some new changes to Routines, triggering those gadgets when leaving the house just got a whole lot easier.

Google Home Routines added “presence sensing” last year, which, through the use of location tracking and some AI trickery, detects when a house is empty to shut off lights, turn the temperature down, and enable any well-hidden security cameras. As cool as it might be to walk out the door without worrying about your lamp’s energy use, it’s a little too finicky for some users. That’s where today’s update comes in.

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As spotted by 9to5Google, a new starter for arriving and leaving gives you roughly the same controls as presence sensing, but with improved results. It’s still using location data to fire off a pre-chosen list of actions, but instead of relying on your phone to guess when you’ve left the house, you can set up specific destinations to trigger the commands.

For example, if you wanted to make sure the lights turned on a few minutes before arriving home, setting a nearby location on your commute could launch those actions. It’s a lot more concrete than hoping your phone senses when you’re almost home, and you can even get notified when the routine starts running.

This feature is already live in the Google Home app and in Assistant's settings, so if you want to start experimenting with location-based commands, you have the entire weekend ahead.

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Will Sattelberg (618 Articles Published)

Will has been an Android enthusiast since he got his first smartphone in 2011. He loves watching movies, has a never-ending backlog of video games, and produces a comedy podcast in his spare time. He lives in Buffalo, NY and is willing to give you chicken wing recommendations at any time. Just ask.

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