Google Home Guides

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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

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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

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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
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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

Google Home Mini layout and buttons

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Google Home Mini layout and buttonsCompared 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 substantially different from that of Google Home (and Google Home Max).

As explained in this guide, the look of Google Home and Google Home Mini is different:

  • Google Home Mini is smaller;
  • Google Home Mini does not have a removable base.
  • Google Home Mini does not have a USB port at the bottom.
  • Google Home Mini uses a different top touch panel.

The difference between the Google Home Mini layout and buttons and those of Google Home was not discussed.

In this guide, the Google Home Mini layout and buttons will be shown and explained so that you can use Google Home Mini easily.

Please note, this guide is for the 1st generation of Google Home Mini, which is slightly different from Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen Google Home Mini) as explained in this guide.  For the layout of the 2nd Gen Google Home Mini (Google nest mini), please … Read the rest

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

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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 adjusting Google Home volume, this guide also shows you 4 methods to silence Google Home and how to resume the media playing.

Please note, the 3 methods introduced in this guide apply to media sound and Google assistant. If you want to adjust the volume for alarms and timers, you have to use the Google Home app, as explained in this guide.

These three methods apply to all Google Home speakers, including Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Home Max,  Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen of Google Home Mini), and Nest Audio.

If you paired two Google Home speakers and are using the speaker pair, the volume settings will be applied to both speakers automatically.

Method 1: use touch panel to change Google Home volume

As explained in Google Home layout and buttons page, you can control Google Home with the top … Read the rest

Meaning of Google Home LED lights (and colors)

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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 differences between Google Home vs Nest Audio (2nd gen Google Home) and Google Home vs Google Home Mini (and Google Nest Mini), the LED lights on Google Home are different from other Google Home speakers. So, this guide applies to Google Home (1st Gen) only. You may check this guide on the meaning of Nest Audio LED lights, and this guide for the meaning of LED lights on Google Home Mini (and 2nd Gen Google Home Mini/ Google Nest Mini).

Why do you need to know the meaning of Google Home LED lights?

As mentioned in Google Home layout, Google Home only has one physical button to turn on/off the microphone,  or to factory data reset Google Home.

The touch panel in the top of Google Home plays a very important role in using and configuring Google Home.  And the LED lights (and their colours) give … Read the rest

Google Home layout and buttons

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Google Home layout and buttonsAlthough 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 individual parts and how to change the base of Google Home.

Please note, Google Home layout and buttons are different from those of Google Home Mini (including Google Nest Mini), Google Home Max, Nest Audio (2nd Gen Google Home).

For owners of Google Home Mini, please check Google Home Mini layout and buttons page. Google Nest Mini layout was explained in this guide, and Nest Audio layout in this guide.

Google Home layout: front and top view

Front and top view of Google Home is shown below.

In front of Google Home, actually, there is nothing.

In the top of Google Home, you can find:

  • A touch panel.
  • LED indicators (LED lights).
  • Two microphones

A touch panel

The entire top surface of Google Home is a touch panel. You can swipe clockwise to increase the volume and anticlockwise to reduce the volume.

You can … Read the rest