Google Home - SlashGear

Nest Aware subscription prices rebooted with new Google Home app

Chris Burns | Oct 15, 2019

Today the Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus system was revealed - or re-revealed, depending on how you look at it - for smart home systems. This is Google's full home security system coverage subscription service for Google Home / Google Nest products. Google also revealed the Nest Mini today for $49 USD - making it pretty much a new Google Home Mini with a slightly different hardware package - just a TINY bit different.

Google Home Mini given away to some users in these apps

Chris Burns | Oct 11, 2019

A select number of Android users over the past day have seen Google show them a pop-up with an image of a Google Home Mini. This pop-up - or block, rectangle, whatever you'd like to call it - included the following text. "Enjoy a gift for using the Google Assistant," said the Google note, with the one catch: "Just pay for shipping."

Google ‘Nest Mini’ 2nd-gen smart speaker leaks with major upgrades

Brittany A. Roston | Aug 21, 2019

In 2017, Google launched a small, relatively inexpensive smart speaker called the Google Home Mini. This UFO-shaped speaker offers users direct access to Google Assistant at a price point lower than the larger Google Home speaker. According to a new report, Google plans to update that device, launching it as the 'Nest Mini' with major new features.

Google Nest sending 100k Home Minis to people with paralysis

Eric Abent | Jul 26, 2019

Smart assistants can make life easier in a lot of ways, but for folks living with disabilities that limit their mobility, their usefulness can skyrocket. With that in mind, Google Nest has teamed up with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to give out 100,000 Google Home Minis to people living with paralysis. Not only that, but the company is making it easier for Google Home users to donate to the Reeve Foundation and help its cause.

Google Home gets a small but useful new feature

Eric Abent | Jul 24, 2019

Virtual assistants are definitely handy when it comes to things like home automation, but they could still use a lesson in situational awareness. Today, Google Assistant is getting just that, at least within the context of Google Home. Now, when you ask Google Home or Nest Hub to turn off your lights, it won't play its usual response where it confirms that it's turning off said light, but with a simple chime instead.

Google Nest Hub Max release date briefly appears in support document

Brittany A. Roston | Jul 23, 2019

In early May, Google took the wraps off its new Nest Hub Max, a smart display featuring a built-in camera and 10-inch screen. The device has been available to preorder through the Google Store in the months since its unveiling, but the company has kept the product's release date a secret. That briefly changed earlier today when a shipping date appeared on a Google Support product web page.

Google promises to crack down on Google Home recording leaks

Ewdison Then | Jul 11, 2019

Google just recently came under fire for what could be a privacy violation involving Google Assistant on Google Home smart speakers. According to the anonymous source, just like Amazon, Google is sending some recordings to human auditors who process and tag the clips to improve Google Assistant. Google doesn't deny the role that these reviewers play in improving the service but also clarifies its stance on the privacy of its processes.

Google Home allegedly records clips without trigger, sends to contractor

JC Torres | Jul 10, 2019

Just three months ago, Amazon was revealed to be sending its presumed anonymous and very private Alexa recordings to humans that listen to and process the audio to help the assistant become smarter. It turns out that it might not be alone in doing so. A new report claims that even Google may be guilty of the same thing, with Google Home recording clips even without the customary "Hey Google" trigger.

Nest Hub Max: Hands-on with this camera-clad display

Chris Burns | May 7, 2019

Google revealed the Next Home Hub today, and with it, they re-shuffled their branding for smart home products. Now we've got a bigger Nest Hub Max (with 10-inch screen) and the smaller Nest Hub. This larger device is akin to a device released before, by Google, albeit without the camera.

Google Home speakers get free YouTube Music streaming

Brittany A. Roston | Apr 18, 2019

Google Home owners can now use the smart speaker to stream audio from YouTube Music for free. This provides those customers with music streaming on Google Home straight out of the box, but there is a catch: the free service is subsidized by the presence of advertisements. Google Home users will need to setup the speaker to use YouTube Music before they can use the new perk, however.

Google Home taps Philips Hue smart bulbs to gently wake you up

Brittany A. Roston | Apr 17, 2019

Google has announced some new features and abilities available to Google Home device owners, including the option to have Assistant gently wake you up using light from a connected Philips Hue smart light. The new feature mimics the sunrise, replacing the sudden, jarring audible alarm that most people use. The new alarm feature joins the ability to retrieve meditations from Headspace and more.

The Google Assistant finally cares about Google’s most loyal users

Chris Davies | Apr 10, 2019

The Google Assistant is addressing one of its most frustrating blindspots, with G Suite accounts finally gaining integration with the smart speaker-powering AI. While the Assistant has been able to pull up calendar appointments and more from Google user's accounts when asked on a Google Home, Google Home Hub, or similar, that's only been the case for personal accounts.