Home / Gadgets / Google Home update lets you set light color temperature to…
Google Home update lets you set light color temperature to your favorite kelvin using voice commands
9to5google.com Aug 20, 2026

Google Home update lets you set light color temperature to your favorite kelvin using voice commands

Curated by · TechCapsules ·

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Google is deploying an August 20 update for the Google Home app and Gemini voice assistant, addressing long-standing user frustrations with granular control and command recognition. The release introduces precise voice commands for smart light color temperatures, allowing users to specify exact kelvin ratings like 2700K, a feature previously limited to the app interface. Spotify integration sees improved recognition for songs, artists, and playlists, aiming to reduce accidental music playback from misinterpreted general commands. Broadcasts now utilize a safer two-step verification process to prevent miscommunication. Additional app enhancements include consistent temperature units, support for European-style door locks, and reduced iOS crashes. Offline camera controls are more reliable during connectivity issues, while Android users benefit from fixed 360p stream limitations. Failed Premium payments will trigger clear alerts to prevent service lapses. These improvements follow recent third-party camera additions, signaling a continued focus on refining the smart home ecosystem’s stability and usability for both casual and power users.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Precise kelvin control finally bridges the gap between app-based precision and voice convenience for smart lighting enthusiasts.
  • · By fixing Spotify misinterpretations, Google reduces the friction that often drives users away from voice-first smart home interactions.
Capsules Gadgets Google
Read full article on 9to5google.com
More in Gadgets →
The wide-screen revolution might soon come to a non-foldable phone near you
androidcentral.com · Aug 20

The wide-screen revolution might soon come to a non-foldable phone near you

Huawei has opened preorders for its new Pura X View, a wide‑screen, non‑foldable flagship that pushes the display to 96.1% screen‑to‑body ratio with 1.05 mm bezels. The device offers 16% more video space and 21% more browsing area than typical flagships, targeting heavy media users. Three storage options—256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB—pair with 12 GB RAM, available in red, gray, white, and black. Pricing remains undisclosed, and the phone is expected to launch in China on August 28.

💡 By maximizing screen real estate without a hinge, Huawei challenges the current foldable trend and could reshape consumer expectations for media‑centric smartphones.

Amazon plans to expand Prime Air to nearly 500 cities by the end of 2026
therobotreport.com · Aug 20

Amazon plans to expand Prime Air to nearly 500 cities by the…

Amazon announced plans to expand its Prime Air drone‑delivery service to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026, a sixfold increase from its current footprint. The company currently operates in seven states and will soon launch in Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise, with additional markets slated for later this year. Prime Air delivers items up to 5 lb. within 30–60 minutes, using FAA‑certified, electric drones equipped with detect‑and‑avoid technology. The service integrates seamlessly with Amazon’s existing app and checkout process.

💡 By dramatically scaling drone delivery, Amazon could redefine last‑mile logistics, offering ultra‑fast, low‑emission deliveries that challenge traditional courier models and reshape consumer expectations for speed and convenience.

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Low-Profile TKL 8KHz Review: The thin green line of speed tuned for pro‑level play
windowscentral.com · Aug 20

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Low-Profile TKL 8KHz Review: The thin green line…

Daniel Rubino, Editor‑in‑Chief of Windows Central, has chronicled Microsoft since 2007, guiding the site through multiple rebrandings. He assumed editorial leadership in 2010, stepped to executive editor in 2020, and returned to the chief role in 2022. Rubino also manages staff, directs content, and hosts a YouTube channel and a podcast. Prior to tech journalism, he worked as a polysomnographer, movie‑theater projectionist, EMT, and pursued a Ph.D. in neurolinguistics, and contributed to industry analysis across multiple platforms for tech enthusiasts.

💡 Rubino’s blend of medical, linguistic, and entertainment experience gives Windows Central a unique lens on how technology shapes everyday life.

Apple bucks downward trend as reports show global smartphone shipment and sales declines
9to5mac.com · Aug 20

Apple bucks downward trend as reports show global smartphone shipment and sales…

Four Counterpoint Research reports released document a decline in smartphone shipments and sales across Europe, China, India and Latin America. Europe’s Q2 shipments fell 10% year‑over‑year to a three‑year low, yet Apple and Samsung each captured 34% of the market, with Apple gaining nine points. In China, total shipments contracted 8.6% in the 30 weeks of 2026, driven by memory‑cost inflation and a slump; Apple entered a slowdown in July ahead of its next iPhone launch. India saw a 14% sales drop from weeks 14‑31, but Apple posted a 15% year‑over‑year increase thanks to the iPhone 17 series and price offers. Latin America’s Q2 shipments fell 10%, while Apple grew 5% and Samsung 6%, with Apple holding about 51% of segment.

💡 Apple’s gains contrast sharply with a global market contraction, showing premium demand can defy broader price‑sensitivity trends.

Early Xreal Aura hype tops expectations, CEO Chi Xu says its demand is ‘exciting’
androidcentral.com · Aug 20

Early Xreal Aura hype tops expectations, CEO Chi Xu says its demand…

Xreal announced that reservations for its Aura smart glasses have exceeded 10,000 units, according to a GamingTrend report on August 20. The company said two early‑bird packages – the Founder Priority Pass and the Launch Credit bundle – sold out shortly after reservations opened in June, while a “Priority Deposit” option still accepts $199 deposits. Xreal confirmed the final retail price will be capped at $1,500 before tax and expects a fall launch, with availability at Best Buy. The Aura runs on Google’s Android XR platform, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite chipset, and supports Android apps via the Google Play Store. Partnerships with game studios and content providers such as Amazon MGM Studios, Modiphius Entertainment, and Fox Sports VR aim to deliver a mix of entertainment and enterprise experiences.

💡 The swift sell‑out of premium reservation tiers shows strong consumer appetite for lightweight, AI‑enhanced spatial computing, positioning Xreal as a serious contender in the emerging XR market.

This New App Puts 200,000 EV Chargers Across North America in One Place
us.headtopics.com · Aug 20

This New App Puts 200,000 EV Chargers Across North America in One…

Octopus Energy has released the Octopus Charge app, consolidating data from more than 200,000 EV charging points across the United States, Canada and Mexico into a single platform. The app aggregates information from over 10,000 stations operated by roughly 20 partners, including EVgo, ChargePoint, Blink and Shell Recharge, and displays real‑time availability, charger speed, compatibility, pricing and nearby amenities. Prices are passed through without markup, so a $0.50/kWh rate on a network appears unchanged in the app. Users can store a payment method for seamless billing and input their vehicle make and model to receive optimal charging settings. The service, already used in Europe, does not yet include major networks such as Tesla Superchargers, requiring drivers to keep additional apps for full coverage.

💡 By unifying fragmented charging networks, the app removes a major barrier to long‑distance EV travel, making cross‑border trips more practical.