URGENT UPDATE: Google Home and Google Nest users are facing escalating issues with their devices, leading to widespread frustration. Reports confirm that commands are failing, automations are breaking, and many devices are unresponsive, with users feeling abandoned by Google.
A lengthy thread on Reddit highlights the chaos, detailing problems such as devices going offline, slow response times, and failures in audio and video streaming. One user lamented, “I can only get it to work without some kind of error 25% of the time these days.” This sentiment echoes throughout the community, with many contemplating a switch to alternative products due to Google’s inaction.
These issues come at a time when Google’s smart home ecosystem appears stagnant. The last significant updates for most Google Home and Nest devices were years ago, raising concerns among users. The Nest Protect smoke alarm was discontinued in March 2023, and the last new security camera launch was in 2021. Users are questioning where new devices are, as even the most recent Nest Thermostat, released in August 2022, was limited to the US market.
Adding to the frustrations, complaints about gesture and navigation bugs with Android 16 have also surfaced among Pixel users. The Gemini AI upgrade for Android Auto is on the horizon, but it does little to address the immediate concerns facing Google’s smart home products.
While whispers suggest that new devices featuring Gemini AI may be in the pipeline, users are understandably skeptical. Google has a history of launching products and then neglecting them, from Chromecast to Google Stadia. This track record is causing hesitance among consumers who question whether investing in new technology will yield long-term support.
As Google continues to focus on AI developments, the silence surrounding its hardware raises alarm bells. Without timely updates or new releases, users are left to contend with an increasingly unreliable smart home environment.
For those affected, the call to action is clear: share your experiences, potentially influencing Google to prioritize improvements. As the situation develops, all eyes are on Google to see if they will respond to the growing discontent of their loyal user base.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to track this vital story.
