However, with so many smart home products on the market, it can be difficult to decide which solution is best for your family’s unique needs. With OneStep, we help simplify the selection, installation, and maintenance of smart home technology systems so you can sleep soundly at night. One of the best brands on the market is Google Nest, which consists of a suite of solutions that communicate with each other and work even better together. From audio entertainment packages to home security systems and hands-free speakers and displays, Google has something for everyone.
That said, do you know exactly what each Google Nest solution can actually do for you? The technology capabilities vary from device to device, so it’s important to do your research before you make a purchase decision. Below, we list seven popular Google Nest technology solutions, explain a few benefits of each solution, and explore an important “did you know?” tip. If you come across a device that you think would align with your home’s needs, let us know.
1) Google Nest Hub & Nest Hub Max
The Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max systems provide ultimate help for your home, all in one convenient place and on one screen. From a single device, you can make video calls, create to-do lists, share family reminders, turn lights on and off, and play music from YouTube Music, Spotify, and Pandora while you cook dinner. The list goes on and on. But did you know that Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max also allow you to stream YouTube TV and Netflix? That’s right – with a simple voice command you can watch live news, sports, and TV shows from any room in your house. With Google, there are so many ways to stay entertained! Compared to the original Nest Hub, the Nest Hub Max comes equipped with better sound quality, a bigger screen, and a new camera system for two-way chatting.
2) Google Assistant
In the past, personal assistants were typically reserved for the rich and powerful. But now, with Google Assistant, you can have the help you need when and where you need it. Google Assistant is an AI-powered virtual assistant that’s available on mobile and smart home devices, and it has a unique ability to engage in two-way conversations. Although Google Assistant can’t exactly answer your work emails or log hours in your company’s timesheet, it can play songs from Spotify, break down the weather forecast, help organize your schedule for the week, text your friends and family members, set cooking timers and morning alarms, and even read entire news articles to you out loud. All you have to say is, “Hey Google.” You can access Google Assistant from many places, including on your phone, in your car, on your smart speaker, or on your laptop.
3) Google Nest x Yale Lock Passcodes
Your front door’s lock is your family’s first line of defense against the outside world. And with a tamper-proof, key-free deadbolt system from Google, that defense just got a whole lot stronger. The Nest x Yale Lock system from Google can unlock your home’s doors from anywhere and gives you the insight you need to know who’s at your door, even when you’re away. But, did you know that you can also assign up to 20 unique passcodes on your Nest x Yale lock? And if you think that somebody knows a passcode who shouldn’t, you can easily change the passcode or remove access using the Nest app on your smartphone. You’ll also have access to a 10-day history that shows whose passcodes were used to unlock your door, and you’ll get alerts through the Nest app when various passcodes are used.
4) Google WiFi Network Assist
Reliable WiFi is a non-negotiable, and with Google WiFi Network Assist, you can enjoy everything the internet has to offer while keeping downtime to a minimum. Google WiFi is a home mesh WiFi system that replaces your traditional router and provides seamless, no-hassle coverage throughout your home. No matter where you need a strong signal – your office, your basement, your living room, or your kitchen – you can set up multiple Google WiFi devices to bring the in¬¬¬ternet exactly where you need it. Google WiFi keeps your signal strong by intelligently transitioning you to the best WiFi point as you move throughout your home, and by identifying and automatically transitioning to the clearest channel with the fastest bandwidth. Of note, Google WiFi can be used as a standalone system or be combined with Nest WiFi Point for additional coverage. No more spinning wheel or pesky buffer sign!
5) Google Nest x Yale Lock Privacy Mode
With the Google Nest x Yale Lock, you can assign up to 20 unique passcodes so your friends and family members can unlock your door and enter your home, even if you’re not there to greet them. But for added peace of mind, you can also enable Privacy Mode using the Nest app. Privacy Mode will completely disable your lock’s keypad and prevent anyone from opening your front door using a passcode. To turn on Privacy Mode, all you need to do is open your Nest x Yale Lock app and press the white button on your lock. You can turn off Privacy Mode by using the thumb turn below the white button. Privacy Mode can give you added control over who can access your home during a certain time, like on an impromptu weekend getaway or during the night while your family is sleeping.
6) Google WiFi Family Features
These days, many kids and teenagers have constant access to the internet on their smartphones, iPads, and laptops. But thanks to Google’s WiFi Family Features, you can stay on top of your kids’ screen time and easily block access to millions of adult websites. With WiFi pause, you can say “lights out” at 10pm to ensure a good night’s rest, and you can also schedule internet time-outs when you know your kids should be doing their homework vs. scrolling through Instagram. However, just because you want to control your kids’ access to the internet, doesn’t mean yours should be altered, too! With a Groups function, you can pause several devices at once (for example, your three kids’ iPhones) without affecting the connection of your smartphone or your spouse’s laptop. With Google WiFi Family Features, you can have ultimate control over your family’s access to the internet.
7) Google Nest Aware
Your home is your castle, and you deserve to know what’s happening in it. With a Google Nest Aware subscription, you will never miss a thing. Google Nest Aware subscriptions start at just $6 per month for all the cameras, speakers, and displays in your home, including Nest Hello. With Nest Aware, you’ll get alerts when your devices detect certain sounds like a smoke alarm, and you can choose important “activity zones” and get alerts when something happens in a specific area. You can also create clips from your video history and share them with friends or family members. No matter where you are in the world, Nest Aware gives you full control over your home. Oh, and if there’s ever an emergency, you can call 911 right from the Home app. For added convenience, all emergency calls will automatically direct to the call center closest to your home.
With OneStep, we are the industry’s #1 expert on smart home devices, including Google Nest systems. Not only do we know everything there is to know about Google’s smart speakers, smart displays, streaming devices, thermostats, smoke detectors, WiFi routers, and cameras, but we can also expertly install every smart home system to ensure it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Although many different smart home brands claim that their products are easy to install, we always recommend a professional installation job – especially when your home’s comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency hangs in the balance. With OneStep on your side, you can have the peace of mind you need to know that your home is properly protected, day and night.
