Google spruces up Home app with Gemini style and rolls out fresh look on iPhone, while Pixel betas hit some snags

Google keeps making tweaks to its apps and devices to make life simpler. In the past few days, folks using iPhones have spotted a shiny new look for the Google Home app, complete with a dash of Gemini magic. At the same time, some Pixel phone users in testing mode are running into headaches with payments and secure connections.

Let’s break it down. First off, the Google Home app on iOS just got a facelift in its icon. The logo now sports a smooth gradient that echoes the fresh style Google gave Gemini back in July. It has that glassy, flowing vibe too, like liquid metal catching the light.

Tech writer Tom Warren caught this change first, and now it’s popping up in the App Store and on phone screens after folks update the app. Android users haven’t seen it yet, but it’s likely on the way as part of bigger plans. This icon tweak ties right into Google’s push to blend Gemini smarts into the Home setup.

The company has hinted at big fixes for Assistant and Home earlier this year, and Gemini is the star of that show. They’re set to launch Gemini for Home on October 1, alongside new gear like refreshed Nest cameras and a device called the Google Home Speaker. Speaking of changes, the redesigned Google Home app is starting to show up on iPhones.

Google has boiled it down to just three main tabs to keep things straightforward. The Home section kicks off with Favorites and Devices at the top, and you can slide between different views easily. This setup comes from plans to make the app more chatty and smart, with a spot called “Ask Home” right up front.

It’s like having a friendly bot to chat with about your lights, cameras, or daily routines—just tell it what you need. This revamp swaps out the old floating button for Assistant with something more tailored to home stuff. The Home/Away toggle fits neatly into the search bar, and there’s a plus button to add gadgets or set up automations quickly.

Categories like cameras, lights, and Wi-Fi take up less room now, but your device tiles and live video feeds stay the same. The bottom navigation might shift, too, but we’ll see how that plays out. It’s all geared toward Gemini handling home chats separately from your phone’s main AI helper.

Over on the Pixel side, things aren’t as smooth for testers. If you’re on Android 16’s QPR1 Beta 3.1 and skipped the full stable update, you might hit roadblocks with Google Wallet and the built-in VPN. When trying to tap your phone for payments, a warning pops up saying the device doesn’t meet safety standards—maybe it’s rooted or using unapproved software.

Most times, you can tap past it and everything works fine, but for some, Google Pay flat-out refuses. The VPN acts up too, throwing an error that it’s not ready for your account. This beta rolled out without wiping data, but not everyone got the stable version yet.

Google might be holding off until the October security patch drops. For a quick patch, jumping back into the Android Beta Program lands you on QPR2 Beta 2, which is solid overall. Just watch for the media player vanishing from the lock screen—use widgets there as a stand-in.

These updates show Google fine-tuning its ecosystem for easier smart living and safer tech. Keep an eye on app stores and beta channels, as more roll out soon. If you’re tinkering with Pixels or setting up Home routines, double-check for the latest bits.