Google Home can now use Nest speakers to detect your presence
Google Home no longer needs to rely solely on smart home devices like thermostats to know if you’re here or not. Home’s optional presence sensor feature can now use interacts with Nest speakers and smart displays to help detect activity in your residence, allowing the device to take automated actions. If you talk to your Nest Audio or touch yours Nest Hubfor example, Google might know how to turn on the light. The second-generation Nest Hub can also use their Soli radar sensor to tell when you’re nearby.
You can enable the presence sensor in the Google Home app for Android and iOS by accessing the Features section in the settings. Detection is strictly opt-in, and Google emphasizes that background noise won’t trigger presence signs. Camera, doorbell and Nest Hub Max will not switch the device between “home” and “away” modes.
The expansion makes presence detection significantly more useful. Until now, you need Nest Guard, Nest Protect, Nest Thermostat or Nest x Yale Smart Lock parallel to your phone location. While those are usually good indicators, they don’t always tell the whole story – you can lock the door while someone is still at home. Using speakers and displays can make Google’s smart home automation more reliable, especially in unusual situations.
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