While not something particularly mind blowing, a small, new tweak to the Google Cast UI on Android seeks to get your music or videos up and running on your smart home devices with less effort. In the past, tapping the Cast icon at the top right of YouTube or YouTube Music among other cast-enabled … [Read more...] about Google begins offering suggestions for which smart home device you may want to cast to
Smart Home
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How to use Google Assistant’s Family Bell feature to keep your family on track throughout the day
Google Assistant has a neat little feature that I feel often goes overlooked - at least in my circles. Everytime I tell a friend or a family member that they can automate bells that announce upcoming activities on their Home devices, they look at me with a blank face. This mostly has to do with the … [Read more...] about How to use Google Assistant’s Family Bell feature to keep your family on track throughout the day
Android TV 13 update focuses on multitasking, picture-in-picture, and accessibility features
At Google I/O 2022, Google detailed many of its updates to the Android TV operating system, with a focus on three specific areas. Across performance, accessibility features, and multitasking, the company had a lot to share. It even went on to discuss the long-awaited multi-user profiles that keep … [Read more...] about Android TV 13 update focuses on multitasking, picture-in-picture, and accessibility features
Google Assistant can now be activated without a hot word, will be patient with filler words, pauses
Uncovered by 9to5Google in a recent APK Insights deep dive was a feature for the Nest Hub Max called "Look and talk". Codenamed "Blue Steel" as a reference to the Ben Stiller movie "Zoolander", the feature was just officially revealed at Google I/O 2022, and it's a small part of a much larger … [Read more...] about Google Assistant can now be activated without a hot word, will be patient with filler words, pauses
Chromecast with Google TV now available for Amazon Pre-order, shows off user profiles again
Google and Amazon are longtime rivals. A few years back, the two companies had a major dispute where YouTube was no longer available on Amazon's smart displays, and the Chromecast with Google TV was not allowed to be sold on Amazon. In the end, consumers suffered the most from such bickering between … [Read more...] about Chromecast with Google TV now available for Amazon Pre-order, shows off user profiles again
Alexa now supports newer Nest cameras and doorbells
Google has announced an update aimed at those that use a "blended" smart home by combining tech from different companies. A new Google Nest skill has been introduced for Amazon Alexa to work with the newest Nest cameras and doorbells - specifically the Nest Cam (outdoor, indoor, wired, or battery … [Read more...] about Alexa now supports newer Nest cameras and doorbells
How to temporarily turn off Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays with ‘Downtime’
Google's Digital Wellbeing tools can help you use technology without it overtaking your life. Limiting your usage of Nest speakers, displays, and more as well as apps on your phone is an incredibly powerful way to make the most of innovations without losing yourself in the process as it can be easy … [Read more...] about How to temporarily turn off Google Assistant on Nest speakers and displays with ‘Downtime’
Your Google Nest Hub will soon show your Fitbit step count, calories burned, and more
A Google Support page was recently spotted by 9to5Google that details how some of your FitBit's features or data could soon integrate with your 2nd Generation Nest Hub. These "Activity metrics" could appear on your smart display after syncing from your Fitbit or Google Fit account - both of which … [Read more...] about Your Google Nest Hub will soon show your Fitbit step count, calories burned, and more
Future smart home devices may eventually ditch screens, blending into everyday materials instead
Google is researching the ability to mask interfaces to control ambient computing devices by making them blend in with materials like wood and cloth. Everyday materials around your house may hold and hide future smart devices so that they blend in better when you're not using them. This has been a … [Read more...] about Future smart home devices may eventually ditch screens, blending into everyday materials instead
Nest and Google Wi-Fi routers experiencing sporadic, ongoing disconnection issues
A handful of months ago, 9to5Google reported on intermittent and sporadic disconnection issues with Nest and Google Wi-Fi devices for users, and new reports are surfacing now that indicate the problem is rearing its ugly head once more. On Google's Nest Help forum, a community member who goes by … [Read more...] about Nest and Google Wi-Fi routers experiencing sporadic, ongoing disconnection issues
You’ll soon be able to activate Assistant on your Nest Hub Max just by looking at it
According to 9to5Google's latest APK Insights deep dive, a new, upcoming feature was discovered for Nest Hub Max users. Instead of activating your display traditionally using the "Hey Google" hotword phrase, you'll be able to trigger Assistant just by looking at it, and yes, I'm being serious. In … [Read more...] about You’ll soon be able to activate Assistant on your Nest Hub Max just by looking at it
You can now rename custom Google Assistant Routines after they’ve been created
A user on Reddit encountered a new setting in their Google Home app for Routines that's sure to take some of the pain out of managing them. Normally, when you create a Routine by voice with Assistant, it's dumped into the Home app with the name you gave it verbally under the Starter trigger. The … [Read more...] about You can now rename custom Google Assistant Routines after they’ve been created
