If you’ve ever wished to illuminate your surroundings with a single word instead of fidgeting with the touchscreen and quick settings of your Pixel or Android phone, I’ve got a fun trick for you. Just like Harry Potter did with his wand, you too can bring a little magic to your everyday life. By uttering […]
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Revamped and Ready: Google Home app redesigned to be more user friendly and useful
We’ve known about a Google Home app redesign for some time now, but today, it’s officially been unveiled. The company, in hopes of making it more user friendly, has now added a few new tabs to the bottom of the home screen to help you easily control your connected devices, create automations, and see what’s […]
Continue ReadingThird-party smart displays with Assistant built-in may no longer have Google’s support
Google’s Nest Hub is a popular smart display that offers seamless integration with Google Assistant, allowing users to control their smart home devices, manage their schedules, and access a plethora of entertainment options. Anyone who has one will tell you that besides Assistant being near completely useless now that the company is pulling the team […]
Continue ReadingGoogle and ADT unveil the new “ADT Self Setup” security system with Nest integration
It’s here, folks! Three years after Google dumped more than $150 million into ADT and partnered with it to provide customers with more forward-thinking security setups, we finally have the result of that collaboration. Being called the “ADT Self Setup“, the new security system offers a handful of items that you can mix and match […]
Continue ReadingYou’re not imagining it: Google Assistant recently had trouble controlling your smart devices
Yesterday, I asked Google Assistant on my Nest Mini to turn off the smart light in one of my rooms, and for the first time ever, it responded with something other than “Okay, turning the bedroom light on”. For a moment, I was taken aback, because I knew that I had set everything up properly […]
Continue ReadingThe Gaming Preferred toggle for Nest Wifi in the Google Home app disappears with Stadia
I still remember back in 2020 when Google added a “Gaming Preferred” option to the Home app for Nest Wifi users. I was so stoked that they were giving special Stadia-focused attention to non-Stadia apps in an effort to support its cloud gaming initiative. While just a quick flick toggle that prioritized your bandwidth to […]
Continue ReadingThe next Nest Speaker will reportedly ship with Google Fuchsia out of the box
According to a recent report by 9to5Google who laid eyes on one of Google’s documents before it was hidden, one of the tech giant’s upcoming smart home devices will ship with Fuchsia OS from day one. In recent memory, we’ve discussed how a third-generation Nest Audio or Mini speaker may be in the works. At […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Pixel Tablet may get a notetaking feature for quickly jotting things down around the house
As someone who loves the Nest Hub despite its flaws and limitations, I’m pretty darn excited for the Pixel Tablet that’s meant to replace it as the next multi-function Hub in smart homes. Being able to control my lights, television, speakers, and more from the comfort of my couch with a device that sits on […]
Continue ReadingAcer reveals a new waterproof Assistant-enabled smart speaker at CES called the Halo Swing
Announced at CES this year as a follow-up to its predecessor – the Halo Smart Speaker – Acer has now announced the “Halo Swing”. The Swing is a wireless, waterproof (IPX5 rated), Bluetooth (and Wi-Fi 6) speaker with a handle for, well, swinging or hanging! While the name does seem to come from the fact […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Assistant just removed the end time for music sleep timers without telling anyone
Many people who use Google Assistant around the home (those who aren’t completely and utterly frustrated and done with it by now) often play music on their Nest Hub, Nest Mini, or other Assistant-enabled devices to fall asleep faster. Putting on your favorite lo-fi or relaxing music as opposed to rain sounds can be a […]
Continue ReadingThe Google Home app public preview redesign now features a smart TV remote
Thanks to a heads-up from Reddit user PhilStation (kudos 9to5Google) new screenshots of a smart TV remote control UI have appeared online. This remote isn’t just anywhere though – it’s in the new Google Home app! That’s right, the new and improved redesign that’s now in beta for some users now features a smart TV […]
Continue ReadingIf you have a love-hate relationship with Google Assistant, an open-source alternative is coming
Did you know that there was an open-source smart home platform called Home Assistant? Me either! News of it comes at just the right time though, because recently, I expressed my frustrations with Google Assistant and its competitors. Instead of being the future we were promised, these AI assistants have largely fallen on hard times […]
Continue ReadingBrinks stops offering professional home monitoring to its remaining Nest Secure customers
Anyone who invested in a Nest Secure for its ease of use and setup process has been without a replacement for the past two years. After being discontinued in 2020, the company promised that it would continue updates until further notice. While it’s kept its word, that doesn’t mean that those of us clinging onto […]
Continue ReadingFor $25, this Lenovo Smart Clock with wireless charging is the perfect stocking stuffer
Earlier this month, the Assistant-enabled Lenovo Smart Clock 2 went on sale for roughly half off its normal retail price of $89.99. For around $48, it’s a solid deal on the perfect bedside Assistant smart device. Not only do you get a great alarm clock, you get all the home controls you love from the […]
Continue ReadingGoogle Nest and Android devices will now work with Matter
We have covered “Matter” and the effects it will have on the Smart Home industry quite extensively on this site. Basically, Matter is a new standard for smart home platforms, apps, and devices that makes it possible to connect smart home devices from different brands with one hub that is compatible across mobile operating systems. […]
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