Google Home Guides

How to Use Quick Gestures on Nest Hub 2nd Gen and Nest Hub Max?

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How to Use Quick Gestures on Nest Hub 2nd Gen and Nest Hub Max?Nest Hub Max and Nest Hub 2nd Gen allow you to use Quick Gestures to control the media playing and dismiss alarms.

This Google Home guide explains what the quick gestures are, how to use them on Nest Hub 2nd Gen and Nest Hub Max, and the differences of this feature on Nest Hub 2nd Gen and Nest Hub Max.

Please note, this feature (quick gestures) is NOT available on Google Home Hub and Nest Hub 1st Gen.

What are quick gestures on Nest Hub?

Quick gestures let you control media, timers, and alarms on the 2nd Gen of Nest Hub or on Nest Hub Max, without using your voice or touching the screen.

In other words, with this feature,  you can use your hand gestures in the air to pause or resume media, dismiss timers, snooze or dismiss alarms.

On Nest Hub Max, you must turn on the camera to use the hand gesture.

Nest Hub 2nd Gen does not have a camera, as explained here. It uses the Soli sensor to detect your hand gestures and act accordingly.

Sometimes, quick gestures are referred to as “air gestures” because you actually wave your hands in the air. … Read the rest

Understand the layout of Nest Hub (including Nest Hub 2nd Gen, Google Home Hub)

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layout of Nest HubYou need to understand the layout of the Nest Hub (including Nest Hub 2nd Gen and Google Hoem Hub) to use the smart display effectively.

This Google Home guide explains the layout of Nest Hub, the function and usage of each part of the smart display to help you get started quickly with your Google Nest Hub.

Because the layout of Nest Hub, Nest Hub 2nd  Gen, and Google Home Hub is identical, this guide applies to all of these 3 Google smart display devices.

Why do you need to know the layout of Nest Hub?

Although you interact with Google Home Hub, Google Nest Hub, and Nest Hub 2nd Gen mainly through voice commands (Google Assistant) and the touchscreen, you may still need to use some buttons, for example,  to mute the microphone, to reset Nest Hub.

Also, if you know the location of the sensors, you may have a better understanding of some issues you may encounter due to blocked sensors.

Anyway, a smart display can work for you for at least a few years. You should spend a few minutes understanding the layout of Nest Hub. It will pay off soon.

Are there any differences in the

… Read the rest

Nest Hub 2nd Gen vs Nest Hub vs Google Home Hub: what’s new and what’s not changed?

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2nd Gen Nest HubGoogle launched the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) in March 2021 as an upgrade for the Google Home Hub, which was released in October 2018 and later rebranded as Nest Hub in May 2019.

In spite of sharing similar dimensions and look, Nest Hub 2nd Gen offers some new features and a few significant improvements over the first generation of Google Home Hub devices.

This Google Home guide explains the new features of the Nest Hub 2nd Gen and the major improvements in the 2nd Gen Nest Hub, including sleep sensing and quick gestures. The guide also helps you understand the difference between Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen vs Google Nest Hub vs Google Home Hub.

Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen vs Google Nest Hub: what are the new features?

As mentioned, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen looks very similar to the original Nest Hub (which is identical to Google Home Hub, read on.).  The design, dimensions and screen size (7″) are all almost identical.

Actually, it is hard to differ between the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen and Google Nest Hub if you look at them from a distance of more than 2 or 3 meters away.

But Google Nest … Read the rest

Meaning of Nest Audio LED lights

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Meaning of Nest Audio LED lightsLike other Google Home speakers,  Nest Audio LED lights indicate the status or feedback of the speaker, and therefore you need to understand them if you want to use the smart speaker effectively.

This Google Home guide explains the meaning of Nest Audio LED lights to help you understand these lights and act properly to use the speaker as desired.

Where are Nest Audio LED lights?

As explained in the Nest Audio layout, there is a row of 4 hidden LED lights embedded in the middle of the front panel.

The fabric materials cover the whole front panel of the Nest Audio, including the LED lights. So, you cannot see these LED lights when they are not lit up.

As on other Google Home speakers (e.g., Google Home, Google Home Mini, and Nest Mini), the Nest Audio LED lights light up only when it wants to tell you something.

Please note, the 1st gen  Google Home has a colourful LED ring. All other Google Home speakers (Google Home Mini, Google Nest Mini, Google Home Max, and Nest Audio) have 4 LED lights in a row with white as the main colour.

Can I control or customise

… Read the rest

How to control Nest Audio?

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Control Nest Audio with the touch control panel and voice commands (Google Assistant)You can control Nest Audio with the touch control panel or your voice (Google Assistant).

This Google Home guide explains the functions of the touch control panel and the available switches/buttons on Nest Audio, and then show you how to control Nest Audio for specific tasks including adjusting Nest Audio volume, powering on and off Nest Audio, controlling media play on Nest Audio.

Control Nest Audio with the touch control panel

As explained in the Nest Audio layout, there is a touch control panel near the top of the front side of the Nest Audio speaker.

Just like the touch control panel on Google Home Mini (and Nest Home Mini), the touch panel is divided into 3 sections:

  • Left.
  • Centre.
  • Right.

The left side of the touch control panel

As shown in the picture below, you can tap the left side of the touch panel to lower the volume (by 5%).

When you tap once, you will hear a click sound as feedback, and the LED lights up indicating current volume level (relative). Of course, the volume will lower a bit at the same time. You may need to tap up to 20 times to silence Nest Audio.… Read the rest

How to Factory Data Reset Nest Audio?

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Factory Data Reset Nest AudioOccasionally, you need to factory data reset Nest Audio so that all your data and settings are wiped out from the smart speaker.

Unfortunately, there is no hardware reset button on Nest Audio, and therefore, you need to use the microphone mute switch and touch control to factory data reset Nest Audio.

This Google Home guide explains when you need to factory data reset Nest Audio, how to perform a factory data reset (FDR) for Nest Audio, and answers questions you may have on resetting Nest Audio.

Please note, the method for factory data reset on different Google Home devices are not identical.  This guide applies to Nest Audio only. You should check this guide for resetting Google Home, this guide for Google Home Mini (1st Gen), and this guide for Google Nest Home Mini (2nd gen Google Home Mini).

When do you need to factory data reset Nest Audio (hard reset)?

For most owners, it is not necessary to reset Nest Audio in most scenarios.

You may need to factory data reset Nest Audio in the following scenarios:

  • If you need to return or recycle Nest Audio.
  • If you plan to pass the Nest Audio to someone else. Please
… Read the rest

Nest Audio Layout

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Nest Audio layoutYou need to know the Nest Audio layout and understand the functions of each part if you want to use the device effectively.

This Google Home guide explains the contents in the Nest Audio box, Nest Audio layout and functions of each part to help you get started with the Nest Audio. A few questions you may have on the layout of Nest Audio were answered as well.

As explained in this page, Nest Audio is a successor of Google Home, not a competitor to Google Home.  Google acquired the Nest brand and has used it for smart home products.

Contents in Nest Audio box

In your Nest Audio box, you can find:

  • Nest Audio device.
  • Power adaptor with non-detachable cable.
  • Documentation bundle.

Nest Audio is the main part, of course. It is far heavier than Google Home.

The power adapter and the jack are proprietary, unfortunately. So, do not lose or damage the cable and adapter. Google is not selling spare ones. There are no third-party power adapters for it yet. In fact, among all Google smart speakers, only the 1st gen Google Home Mini used a 5v/1.8A USB power adapter.

There is a … Read the rest

Nest Audio vs Google Home: new features and improvements

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Nest Audio vs Google HomeAfter 4 years, Google finally updated the iconical cylindrical Google Home with a bigger and lounder Nest Audio in 2020.  So, the question for many existing users of Google Home is the comparison of Nest Audio vs Google Home

This Google Home guide explains the new features and improvements of Nest Audio vs Google Home to help you understand whether you should “upgrade” your Google Home, or whether Nest Audio is the right smart speaker for you.

The comparison of Nest Audio and Google Nest Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen) is covered in this post (coming soon).

Before we explore the new features and improvements of Nest Audio (vs Google Home), let’s check what has not been changed (i.e., the shared features).

Nest Audio vs Google Home: what are NOT changed?

As a successor to Google Home, Nest Audio share some identical or similar features with its predecessor. This part highlights the common features of these two smart speakers.

Similar software

Both Google Home and Nest Audio share a similar software package. Google Assistant works in an identical way.

The setup and customization are also almost identical. This means existing owners of Google Home will have nothing … Read the rest

Nest Audio Guides

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Nest Audio GuidesNest Audio (released in 2019) is the successor of Google Home, which was released in 2016. And it is sometimes called the second generation of Google Home. Nest Audio guides are just for it!

Nest Audio and Google Home are substantially different: there are many improvements and a few new features, as explained in this guide.

So, many Nest Audio owners need some guides for the unique features on the device.  Of course, some Google Home guides, and even some Home Mini guides, apply to Nest Audio.

About Nest Audio Guides

Nest Audio guides explain the features and functions of Nest Audio and demonstrate how to use them with detailed step-by-step illustrations.

Some common features among Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Nest Home Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen), and Nest Audio, are also listed so that you can find all guides you need for your Nest Audio.

All generations of Nest Audio are covered in this section. We will highlight the unique feature for each generation when applicable.

How to use Nest Audio guides?

Most of the Nest Audio guides include a very detailed explanation of the feature discussed so that you will not only know how … Read the rest

How to create and use Google Home speaker pair (stereo pairing)?

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cast to Google Home speaker pair

You can pair two Google Home speakers, including Google Home, Nest Audio, Google Home Mini, and Google Nest Mini (aka Google Home Mini 2nd Gen), to create a speaker pair for stereo sound. This Google Home guide explains what the speaker pair is, the difference between it and the speaker group, … [Continue reading] about How to create and use Google Home speaker pair (stereo pairing)?

How to adjust alarm volume and timer volume in Google Home, Google Home Mini, Nest Audio and Google Home Max?

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adjust alarm volume and timer volume in Google Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max

Occasionally, you may feel the alarm or timer is too loud and want to adjust the alarm volume or timer volume in Google Home, Google Home Mini (including Google Nest Mini, aka Google Home Mini 2nd Gen), Google Home Max, or Nest Audio (2nd Gen of Google Home). But you may find that you cannot … [Continue reading] about How to adjust alarm volume and timer volume in Google Home, Google Home Mini, Nest Audio and Google Home Max?

Google Home Mini layout and buttons

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Google Home Mini layout and buttons

Compared to Google Home, Google Home Mini is not just smaller or cheaper. Google Home Mini layout and buttons are also different from those of Google Home. Although Googe Home, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max all have almost identical functions and features, Google Home Mini layout is … [Continue reading] about Google Home Mini layout and buttons

Google Home Mini vs Google Home

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Google Home Mini vs Google Home

In Google I/O 2017, Google Home Mini and Google Home Max were introduced to the Google Home family. So, there are 3 products under the Google Home line: Home, Mini and Max. Google Home Mini was released in October 2017. Google Home Max will be released in December 2017. So, many potential … [Continue reading] about Google Home Mini vs Google Home

3 methods to change Google Home volume and how to silence Google Home

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use touch panel to change Google Home volume: turn up

If you want to change the volume for your Google Home, you may not know actually there are 3 different methods to change Google Home volume: use the touch panel, use your voice, and use the Google Home app. The result is identical, regardless of the method you choose. In addition to … [Continue reading] about 3 methods to change Google Home volume and how to silence Google Home

Meaning of Google Home LED lights (and colors)

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Meaning of Google Home LED lights when Google Home is in standby mode

You can understand the status of Google Home by checking the LED lights (and colours). This Google Home guide explains why you should know the meaning of Google Home LED lights and the exact meaning (and possible implications) of all LED lights pattern on Google Home. Please note, due to the … [Continue reading] about Meaning of Google Home LED lights (and colors)

Google Home layout and buttons

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Google Home layout: front and top view

Although Google Home can do so many things after setting up Google Home, it only has one button.  Most of the controls are achieved through voice. The touch panel and LED colour also play an important role in using Google Home. This guide will show you Google Home layout, functions of … [Continue reading] about Google Home layout and buttons