Google Home 12+

Hit and miss

Manually the switches work ok, connecting to the TV will only work some times. Chrome cast is a pain. I did a lot of work and is not paying off. I ask for a specific song and it only works on a single speaker, if I am using a group of speakers, google plays what ever it wants. I got three chrome cast and they were fine at first but after a few weeks voice commands to chrome cast stoped working on all three. Google says it doesn’t recognize that device, I reset to factory, start all over and nothing. I am getting board of this I am thinking of going back to apple TV. What a waste of money. I have 5 nest cams and they connect and disconnect constantly, that problem came after google took over. I am angry about that security problem. I tried everything to have the system recognize only my voice so people couldn’t open my garage or my front door, that does not work. I even had a google tech help me set that up, thats not safe, anyone who knows what I named the door can simply ask google loudly through my glass window or glass door and it opens anything. Google is not safe . I regret all the money spent on this worthless system.

Irksome, poorly designed (T-stat use only)

Edited after a season's use. Just don't. An advance that is far worse, cumbersome and otherwise difficult to use. I would put the old t-stat back if I hadn't recycled it. Junk. Overall, feels a bit like an acquisition they now regret and will let die. Like others say, the app is cumbersome, slow, and awkward. Using this for an old-style Nest t-stat obtained from my electric utility. As an example of poorly thought-out operation (that is, privileging circuit design over utility) it took me longer to find out which device version it was than to put it on the wall. (A page of text would be much better than lots of fun bouncy graphics-we're installing things like thermostats, not playing). Yes the device is an improvement (and is the only reason this isn't a one-star review), but really, it's easier to set the thermostat manually if you are away than it is to do it here. Just more things to go wrong with no actual advance. PS I really, really dislike the lack of a sign out in this app. Update 3/23: Pleasantly surprised that it has operated more or less faultlessly since setup, so will add one star (now 3) as I add another device to a different furnace. Just my opinion, but the secret seems to be to keep it local only (don't attempt anything other than in home & on same network) and use a simple routine-the rest is just a problem in search of something to do aka unnecessary.

Developer Response ,

Hey there, we appreciate customers who share with us their experiences and thoughts on our products. We're always looking for more ways to improve the Google Home app to make it more user-friendly. For more help, feel free to contact us here: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7072407?hl=en

Beware The Downfall

What once use to be a great app for smart-home users and enthusiasts is now quickly and quite steadily becoming a platform that is not so good. I’ve been an avid user of this platform for more years then I can account for, what once was a service that worked with a broad spectrum of devices both inexpensive and expensive is now becoming smaller and less accessible. Big companies that once held partnerships are now falling out with the company leaving many without features they once used and had. For example the company LG I use to be able to use Google assistant straight from my remote now is completely discontinued, I was already upset about it but as I was reading into other future projects and investments the more I kept reading and finding out it seems other premium products such as Sonos have also discontinued their Google assistant compatibility as well. The more I read on the more I’m seeing the emerging pattern of their products which once I held with a high level of reliability and compatibility with, is now becoming increasingly smaller and less reliable and less compatible with things that I once appreciated the company for. That being said the application is still good for device control isn’t bombarded with adds and hopefully not as strict as other companies but for now that’s a developing story.