Smart speaker or smart display: Which should you buy?

Smart displays are incredibly functional, but it may not be worth the cost if you don't frequently use the added features.

Patrick Hearn     April 25, 2023

Google gifts free Nest Hub to some Nest Aware subscribers

Are you a subscriber to Google's Nest Aware service? If so, you want to check your email because the company is giving aware free Nest Hubs to its subscribers.

J. Velasco     April 25, 2023

Google’s latest Pixel software update can help you get a good night’s sleep

Google has added a few new features to Pixel phones, including deeper integration between Google Assistant and the Recorder app and more safety features.

Christian de Looper     April 25, 2023

NYC’s Mount Sinai Hospital using Google Nest to monitor coronavirus patients

Mount Sinai, one of New York City’s hospitals hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, is using Google's Nest cameras to monitor patients and improve safety.

Chris Morris     April 25, 2023

Expect lower video quality on your Nest cameras this week

In response to community issues caused by COVID-19, Google has temporarily adjusted camera settings on their Nest cameras to help with internet strain.

A. Bradford     April 25, 2023

Paranoid prevents smart speakers from eavesdropping on you

A new device, called Paranoid, is here to prevent your smart speaker from listening when it shouldn't, making Alexa and Google Assistant devices a little safer.

A. Bradford     April 25, 2023

Avoid saying these words near your smart speaker, if you don’t want it to listen

If you are worried about privacy, beware of using these words around your voice assistants. The device might mistake them for a wake word.

P. Hearn     April 25, 2023

New Google Assistant feature turns the internet into one giant audiobook

The new Read It feature allows Google Assistant to read web pages aloud, like audiobooks, in 42 languages. It is available on browsers and Android smartphones.

Aaron Mamiit     April 25, 2023

Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab review: A tablet, and then some

The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is an Android tablet that stands out in a crowd. It packs useful features into a 10.1-inch device, including a versatile kickstand.

Alina Bradford     April 25, 2023

Alexa is listening to your chat more than you think, study suggests

A new study has shown that unintended activations of smart speakers could occur as many as 19 times a day, with the longest activations lasting up to 43 seconds.

T. Mogg     April 25, 2023

Common Google Nest Hub problems, and how to fix them

Like any tech, your Google Nest Hub can give you moments of frustration. Here are some of the more common problems you may come across, and how to fix them.

A. Bradford     April 25, 2023

Amazon Echo still king among smart speakers despite declining U.S. market share

The Amazon Echo is still king (or perhaps queen) among smart speakers and will continue to be for several years, according to a report from eMarketer. Google Assistant and Siri, however, are predicted to take a bigger slice of the market for themselves.

P. Hearn     April 25, 2023

Nest makes two-factor authentication mandatory for its smart home devices

Google Nest is the latest smart home device to make it mandatory for people to set up two-factor authentication on their devices by using verification code.

A. Matyus     April 25, 2023

Use your smart speaker to make Valentine’s Day a little sweeter

This year, there's no better wingman for your Valentine's Day than Alexa or Google Assistant. Here's how to use your smart speakers to light a spark this February 14.

A. Bradford     April 25, 2023

Now Google Assistant can help you remember where you left your keys and wallet

Google and Tile teamed up to create a new Google Assistant function: the ability to tell you where you left your purse, wallet, laptop, and more.

P. Hearn     April 25, 2023

Your Nest thermostat can now help to identify potential HVAC problems

Google Nest Thermostat has some new tricks in the works. Google Nest announced that it is testing a new feature that can help identify problems with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. When it finds a problem, it will send you an email alert so you can find a fix.

A. Bradford     April 25, 2023

Google’s next virtual assistant could chat your ear off on just about any topic

In a new paper, Google detailed a "human-like" chatbot called Meena that can "engage in conversation on any topic." Meena, unlike its peers such as Google’s own Assistant, is an open-domain chatbot and is designed to contextually and constantly converse with you -- no matter the topic.

Shubham Agarwal     April 25, 2023

Google Home devices in Preview Program are in danger of being bricked by update

A new update from the Google Preview Program is at risk of bricking some first-generation Google Home devices. Google has made no official statement yet, but many users have begun to disconnect their at-risk devices in an attempt to mitigate the threat to their smart assistants.

P. Hearn     April 25, 2023

Guest mode abruptly vanishes from Google Home smart speakers

At some point in the last week, Google decided to remove the Guest Mode function from its wireless smart speakers. The move, which Google has not commented on, means that Google Home owners can no longer provide an easy way for their friends to play music on their speakers without sharing their Wi-Fi password.

Simon Cohen     April 25, 2023

Google Assistant is now used by half a billion people around the world

At CES 2020, Google Assistant celebrated a huge milestone: The smart assistant is used by more than 500 million people around the world. Google also announced several new features to make the system even better, including better security features and more natural speech patterns.

P. Hearn     April 25, 2023

The Pixel 4’s A.I. will soon screen robocallers without disturbing you

The first Pixel feature drop will arrive this month, and it's going to improve some of the Pixel 4's best features, including the A.I.-powered Call Screen, background blur in photos, and video calls on Google Duo. Older Pixels will be getting some of the Pixel 4's best new tools as well.

Mark Jansen     April 25, 2023

We tested over 1,000 products in 2019. These are the best.

2019 was an awesome year for consumer tech. We tested over 1,000 of the best products, devices, and gear put out in 2019, including smartphones, laptops, and TVs. Our top tech is not just the best of the year, but the culmination of an innovative decade.

DT Staff     April 25, 2023

Google’s plan for the helpful home all goes back to privacy

The smart home landscape continues to evolve, and one of its biggest proponents is Google. We sat down with Google's Michele Turner, who talks about the company's vision for the smart home, what it's doing to get there, and what we can expect surrounding the helpful home.

J. Velasco     April 25, 2023

How to save money using your smart thermostat

Using a smart thermostat is a great step toward saving money on electricity bills. There are some ways to make your thermostat even more efficient, though.

A. Bradford     April 25, 2023

Android is a dead-end for new devices — and Google knows it

Google launched Android over a decade ago but has struggled to replicate the explosive success of the OS beyond phones. There was only one Android-powered device at Google's hardware event. Is Android a one-trick pony? As Google increasingly focuses more on the Assistant, where is Android really headed?

Shubham Agarwal     April 25, 2023

What Blade Runner got right (and wrong) about 2019

1982's Blade Runner is rightly considered a masterpiece among science fiction movies. But how accurate were its predictions about the future? With November 2019 being the far-flung month and year in which the movie is set, here’s what the movie got right and, in one case, very wrong.

Luke Dormehl     April 25, 2023

Amazon Echo Buds review: The best earbuds for Alexa fans

With a huge number of features for the money, Amazon's $130 Echo Buds are one of the best values in a set of true wireless earbuds. Here's our full review.

Simon Cohen     April 25, 2023

Google’s changes to its Nest Aware subscription aim to enhance simplicity, value

Nest Aware has gone through a revamp and now has more features, and a simplified pricing plan with two different pricing tiers. The new version of the service will start early next year in all 19 countries Nest Aware is now available, but some of the new features will initially only be available in the U.S.

Patrick Hearn     April 25, 2023

Google brings out the new Nest Mini, an upgrade of the Google Home Mini, for $49

Google unveiled its newest smart speaker, the Nest Mini, at its Made by Google 2019 event. The new version of the Google Home Mini looks very similar to its predecessor, but it's got some impressive new features to go along with its new name, as well as an attractive price.

Patrick Hearn     April 25, 2023

Google Nest Mini vs. Google Home Mini

Google's Nest Mini and Home Mini look alike, but what makes them different? We examine both smart speakers to explain what makes them unique.

Michael Bizzaco     April 25, 2023

Digital Trends Live: Google Assistant’s enhanced security, Vimeo’s marketplace

On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dive into the biggest trending tech topics of the day, including Google Assistant’s enhanced security, Vimeo’s new marketplace, Disney+ pre-orders, and a new baldness-banishing baseball cap zaps your head until your hair grows again.

T. Werkhoven     April 25, 2023

Digital Trends Live: Google’s assignable reminders, Genesis Mini, and more

On today’s DT Live, we take a look at the biggest trending stories in tech, including Google Assistant’s new assignable reminders, British Airways’ plans to test virtual reality headsets for first-class passengers, Sega's announcement of the Genesis Mini, and DARPA’s new robotics challenge.

T. Werkhoven     April 25, 2023

Sonos One vs. Sonos Play:1

Sonos makes two wireless speakers that look nearly identical: The Play:1 and the Sonos One. Yet the Sonos One is more expensive. Why is that? Does spending more money get you a better speaker? We pit the two against each other in a head-to-head comparison so you can find out which is right for you.

Simon Cohen     April 25, 2023

Google Nest gives 100,000 Home Minis to people living with paralysis

Google Nest is giving away 100,000 free Home Minis to people who are living with paralysis. The company announced a partnership with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Friday to provide the devices to paralyzed individuals to help them gain some additional independence.

E. Price     April 25, 2023

Hey Google, let’s order out: Food delivery comes to Search, Maps, and Assistant

It's easier than ever to get your favorite grub delivered to your door or order it for pickup as Google integrates online food ordering into Google Search and Google Maps. You can even ask Google Assistant to order your favorite dish without having to pick up your phone or touch your computer.

Simon Hill     April 25, 2023

With new integrations, Google Assistant makes big push for dominance at CES 2019

This was a huge year for Google Assistant at CES 2019. Google and partners announced scads of Google Assistant-compatible products and services for the home, the car, and travel. Google is going all out to support device makers and software developers to create new products that work with Google Assistant.

B. Brown     April 25, 2023

Google Assistant’s global drive helped it quadruple its active users in 2018

Voice assistants made talking to yourself cool, and they're reaping the benefits. Google has taken to CES 2019 to release the details of how Google Assistant has grown over the last year, and the results are pretty staggering. With 2019 just kicking off, here's how Google Assistant did in 2018.

Mark Jansen     April 25, 2023

Let Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant spook you on Halloween

Need help with a last-minute costume idea? Want to listen to spooky music or a scary book? Recruit Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for help. Here are the best Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Halloween tips and tricks for your Halloween party, decorations, games, family activities, and more.

Tyler Lacoma     April 25, 2023