Google may have come late to the smart speaker game, but its offering is certainly appealing. The Nest Audio is a sleek vertically bisected device much smaller than Amazon Echo or HomePod Mini that exudes all the hallmarks of Google’s ecosystem.
That means it provides voice-enabled devices compatible with Google Assistant, an exceptional music playback experience and features such as multiroom audio streaming.
Voice Control
Like its Amazon Echo counterpart, Google Home uses voice-enabled interaction for in-house and third-party services. Install the appropriate apps to access music or podcasts from multiple streaming services; play TV shows on Chromecast devices; control smart home devices; access news briefings; hear weather forecasts, etc.
Google Home Max White offer more versatility than the Alexa platform. You can schedule doctor’s appointments, find average prices for root canals at your dentist and eye exams from an ophthalmologist, order groceries through Google Express online stores and more!
If you need to mute your speaker during work hours, the app on your smartphone or tablet makes this easy. Plus, you can view and delete your recording history – simply tap on the person icon in the app to search by keyword or date, as well as to delete everything at once!
Music Playlists
Google Assistant supports multiple music platforms. It works with the defunct Google Play Music service (no longer available), YouTube Music, Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music subscription services – though Apple Music requires paid subscription whereas Google Home and other Google Assistant-enabled devices may provide free trials of Apple Music subscription service.
Google Assistant makes creating playlists a simple process; just say, “OK Google, play [name of playlist].” Google Home will then launch its designated music service and stream your selected tracks. Depending on genres, artists, moods, or activities you can also receive tailored suggestions of what tracks might best suit them.
Say “OK Google, play Discover Weekly on Spotify.” Note that Free users of Spotify will see a message stating, “Playing playlists is only available to Premium subscribers–try this station instead.” Google display devices like Nest Hub and Chromecast may allow streaming without an alert but still include skip limits and advertisements.
Controlling Other Devices in Your Home
Google Home devices feature an intercom message broadcast feature to get everyone’s attention, such as when it’s time for dinner. To send one out, say something like this to your Google Home: “OK Google, broadcast listen up everyone, it’s dinner time”.
Your speaker allows you to control other smart home products through Google Assistant ecosystem devices from third-party manufacturers. Furthermore, the Google Home App on your phone provides an efficient hub where compatible devices can be managed.
To add a device, launch the Google Home/Nest App and touch any of your Google Home devices or click their device icon within. From here, you can edit their name, nickname and which room they belong in within Settings menu – updated when your room setup changes or you add another device – plus sync up music playback across multiple Google Home/Nest devices using this method.
Getting Started
Google may have come late to the smart speaker game, but they quickly established themselves as one of the most capable solutions. Compatible with multiple devices and capable of much more than Siri and Alexa – such as controlling third-party home automation equipment.
Install your new device by connecting it to power and opening the Google Home app on a smartphone or tablet. The app guides you through naming and placing it for optimal use within your household, providing tutorials that explain general features as well as tips for operating Google Assistant.
Once connected to your Wi-Fi network, tap Next on the app and follow its prompts to create accounts with music services like Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio and others. Multiple accounts can be linked so everyone in the household can enjoy their preferred playlists. Voice Match can help Google Assistant recognize you over other members in the household for personalized responses such as calendar events.
