Google Nest Hub Max hands-on: The visual Assistant packs a punch
Published on May 7, 2019
The Google Nest Home Max combines a Google Home Hub, Nest Cam, and Google Home Max for a booming virtual assistant that controls everything.
The Google Nest Home Max combines a Google Home Hub, Nest Cam, and Google Home Max for a booming virtual assistant that controls everything.
With better sound, a bigger screen and all sorts of new camera tricks, the Nest Hub Max brings facial recognition into your home.
Google and Nest have announced two new products. The Nest Wifi is a new mesh router system that includes "points" which are mini smart speakers in addition to building out your Wi-Fi network. Plus, there's the Nest Mini, an updated version of the Google Home Mini.
Google has a new Nest smart speaker on the way. Here's everything we know so far and what I'd like to see from the product to make me excited about smart speakers again.
More control, more entertainment, more help comes with every part of the day on the second generation Nest Hub from Google.
Effortlessly enjoy all your entertainment. Catch up on your favorite shows, watch YouTube videos, and listen to music on the new Nest Hub's enhanced speaker. See what's playing right on the display and play and pause your content with a tap, quick gesture, or "Hey Google."
Whole-home control. Turn on the lights, lock the doors, change the temperature all with a tap. The new Nest Hub works with thousands of compatible devices so you can even see who’s at the front without having to be there. Just say, “Hey Google, show me the front door camera.”
Busy days call for easy coordination. You’ll find all the info you need on your display from your calendar to reminders so you can see everything you need to stay on track with just a glance. Ask for the weather or anything else that you might need with just “Hey Google.”
When it’s time to bring everyone at home together, make it easy and just say, “Hey Google, broadcast, ‘it’s dinnertime’” and everyone will get the message on their Nest speakers and displays.
Rise and shine. With Sunrise Alarms, you’ll get a gentler-than-ever wake-up as the display gradually brightens and the alarm clock increases in volume. Combined with Sleep Sensing and Your Evening page, the new Nest Hub will help you wind down easily and wake up more rested.
The second-generation $100 Nest Hub resembles its predecessor, but a new Soli chip can keep track as you toss and turn throughout the night. The new Nest Hub also has light, sound and temperature sensors to take several factors into account that might affect your sleep. The motion-sensing Soli chip uses radar instead of a camera and allows the new Nest Hub to respond to your gestures.
As a proof-of-concept it’s impressive, but you probably won’t use the sleep-tracking yet.
Google is replacing the Nest Hub with a second-gen model that can sense your sleep habits with the help of Soli. It costs $100 and comes with everything we liked about the first Nest Hub, plus bigger bass and new color options. Is sleep sensing creepy or cool? Let's find out.