Update September 18, 2023 at 2:55 PM – Google has reached out with a correction to Meet being removed from Nest Hub Max clarifying with the following statement: There is no change to making 1:1 and group video calls to friends, family and businesses with Google Meet. What’s changing at the end of September is […]
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Google announces nearly 20 new starters and actions to make your smart home less annoying
In a post on the Nest Community Forum today, Google unveiled a handful of new starters and actions for your smart home routines. Now, you can do things like change light effects, automatically open or close windows or blinds, adjust humidity levels, and even pause your TV or music when the doorbell rings. Devices can […]
Continue ReadingScore a 2-Pack of Google’s battery-powered Nest Cam for just $260
If you’ve been on the fence about securing your home with a smart camera, now might be the perfect time to make the leap. Best Buy has rolled out a deal that makes it a little easier to pull the trigger on some home security. You can now get your hands on a 2-pack of […]
Continue ReadingFuchsia will not be coming to Google’s smart speakers as the company halts its rollout efforts
In the last year, Google has worked to replace the “CastOS” operating system on its 1st and 2nd generation Nest Hub smart displays with the new Zircon-based Fuchsia. At the time, it seemed like the company was set to bring it to all its smart home devices. According to 9to5Google, the tech giant has pumped […]
Continue ReadingThis Google Home-compatible 2K Smart Camera system is $200 off today only
If you live in the Google ecosystem like we do, chances are decent that you own or have considered purchasing a Nest Camera or other Nest Smart home device. There are some distinct advantages to buying a Nest-branded smart home system. Most notably, you can subscribe to Nest Aware and link all of your cameras […]
Continue ReadingHow to turn your phone flashlight or smart lights on and off like a true Harry Potter fan
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 […]
Continue ReadingRevamped 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 […]
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