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 … [Read more...] about If you have a love-hate relationship with Google Assistant, an open-source alternative is coming
Smart Home
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Brinks 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 … [Read more...] about Brinks stops offering professional home monitoring to its remaining Nest Secure customers
For $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 … [Read more...] about For $25, this Lenovo Smart Clock with wireless charging is the perfect stocking stuffer
Google 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 … [Read more...] about Google Nest and Android devices will now work with Matter
Nest Audio update to continue Google’s smart home trend of replacing CastOS with Fuchsia
You may already be aware that Google's Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are now running on the company's mysterious (or not so mysterious, depending on who you ask), new operating system. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg. There were talks of an upcoming Chromecast Audio refresh or a new Nest … [Read more...] about Nest Audio update to continue Google’s smart home trend of replacing CastOS with Fuchsia
Google Home app redesign rolls out as optional Public Preview
Last month, Google announced a redesign of the Home app that promised to bring more device compatibility, courtesy of the Matter standard, and customization options that will allow each user to personalize their experience further. This announcement came with a timeline tied to a Public Preview that … [Read more...] about Google Home app redesign rolls out as optional Public Preview
Google Home app’s “Household routines” rolling out more widely
Nearly three weeks into the official announcement of the Google Home app's redesign to roll in the new "Matter" connectivity standard and to make it more customizable, it appears that some of the updates on "Routines" are starting to roll out. According to reporting from 9to5Google, some users … [Read more...] about Google Home app’s “Household routines” rolling out more widely
The Google Home web app finally goes live next week so you can view your Nest cameras online
At long last, the PWA, or "Progressive Web Application" for Google Home is set to go live! Detailed last week during the Android app's major visual refresh, Google states now on the Nest Community Blog that you'll be able to access it with nothing but a web browser! I actually talked in the past … [Read more...] about The Google Home web app finally goes live next week so you can view your Nest cameras online
A new audio-focused Nest smart home device running Google Fuchsia could drop next year
The secret-ish, new operating system from Google that we're entirely convinced is meant to eventually replace Android, ChromeOS, WearOS and really everything else the company offers from a software standpoint is quickly rolling out to smart home devices. Back in August, the Nest Hub Max was … [Read more...] about A new audio-focused Nest smart home device running Google Fuchsia could drop next year
The new Google Pixel Tablet will double as your Nest Hub display, releases next year
Do you own a Google Nest Hub? If so, you may find that you're hardly interacting with it unless your phone isn't in your hand, and even though you're lounging around the house, the glanceable information is just that - glanceable. During Google's hardware event today, the company discussed how it … [Read more...] about The new Google Pixel Tablet will double as your Nest Hub display, releases next year
Google Home redesign will combine all your Smart Home devices into a single-app experience
Believe it or not, the Google Home app we know today on Android has been around for ten years now. When it first launched, the average U.S. household had less than 3 smart home devices connected but this has risen to about 22 connected devices per home throughout the years. However, even with that … [Read more...] about Google Home redesign will combine all your Smart Home devices into a single-app experience
Your Nest speakers and Hubs can now detect your presence for automation
Nest presence sensing is getting an upgrade, and you'll no longer need to rely solely on your thermostat, Nest Guard, Nest Protect, or Nest x Yale smart lock to let Google know if you're at home. Traditionally, walking past your sensors built into these devices would cause the Home app to detect you … [Read more...] about Your Nest speakers and Hubs can now detect your presence for automation
