topic Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices in Speakers and Displays

Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

KiiFromGoogle — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:56:00 GMT

We recently shared some background about what's happening when multiple devices respond to your Google Assistant requests. You can read more in our community blog: FAQs: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices.

We invite you to share your experiences using multiple devices with Google Assistant below!

As Senior Product Manager Isha Sheth mentioned in the blog, community feedback is really important to the Google Assistant team. We'd love to hear from you about whether the tips we shared in the blog were helpful for you and the members of your home!

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

ktiedt — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 18:30:28 GMT

Literally nothing in this “FAQ” actually solves this problem it’s just more of the same hand waving done for the past years on the old topic 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

MsDrasby — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 23:48:18 GMT

When you say "Hey Google" near two or more Google Assistant-enabled devices, all of the devices will turn on and listen for your command. Google will then select the best device to respond to your request based on a number of factors, including:

The proximity of the device to you.
The type of request you made.
The capabilities of the device.

For example, if you're in the kitchen and you say "Hey Google, set a timer for 5 minutes," Google will select the device that is closest to you, such as your Google Nest Hub. If you're in the living room and you say "Hey Google, play music," Google will select the device that is best equipped to play music, such as your Google Home Max.

If you don't want multiple devices to respond to your Google Assistant requests, you can change the settings on your devices. In the Google Home app, go to Settings > Devices > Device name > Hey Google sensitivity. Use the slider to adjust the sensitivity of the device. A lower sensitivity means that the device will only respond to "Hey Google" when it is spoken loudly and clearly.

In one of my rooms there are two Google Speakers and I turned off the ability to listen in one of the speakers.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

ktiedt — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 16:19:25 GMT

If only all the devices all worked as advertised… 🤦‍♂️ there in lies the crux of the problem.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

MsDrasby — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:25:43 GMT

I think part of the problem is people expect the Google Assistant to work seamlessly without having to maintain both the programs and devices they use the assistant on. Most tech users really don't understand the devices and programs they are using. They just want the devices to be intuitive and take care of themselves rather than putting the extra effort into maintaining the product.

Personally I don't see Google Assistant or any other technology device as becoming totally intuitive with maintaining usage without any glitches. There's too much involved for this to happen. As a user who loves their smart devices I've learned how the network setup, other third party devices, background sound and other programs interplay with how the assistant is going to respond.

Example I like using smart bulbs however they've become a bit of an issue for me to use with voice activation. Part of it is due to the bulbs being created for a 2G network and now I have a 5G network. Which means I need to be aware to update my smart devices. It would be helpful if my Google Assistant was more backwards compatible with the older devices more uses would be interested in using Google Assistant with all smart devices.

As a person with physical issues I find supporting my Smart devices such as locks, garage door, music, TV and etc with My Google Assistant to be a beneficial support to have in my daily life.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

ChrisBit — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 17:22:40 GMT

Just got a Nest Audio for my vision impaired mother, intended as an addition to her phone, where she had learned how to use Google Assistant for calling her friends, asking the time, etc. Unfortunately it made the Google Assistant completely useless for calling, as now the Nest Audio will respond to the call request with a "This contact does not have duo" type of message (outside US or Canada...). The least I expected was for the nest system to register the request and recognize that the call can only be made on the phone, then place the call on the phone as if talking to the assistant there. Next least expectation was that the nest audio could be used as a hands free Bluetooth device, but it is only Bluetooth speaker, yet still requests access to contacts for some reason. Next next least expectation was the ability to route the call via wifi through an Android phone in the Google Home setup.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

BroadsNet — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:47:53 GMT

I have had this issue for over 12 months. I've worked with Google during that time but nothing has solved the problem.

I have a Nest Hub in the living room, a Nest Mini in the kitchen and bedroom. The ridiculous thing is when I stand in front of the Nest Hub the Nest Mini in the kitchen answers and vice-versa. Sometimes when addressing the Nest Mini in the kitchen I can hear the one answering in the bedroom. The kitchen speaker then responds with the message - something went wrong please try again.

When I first bought these devices they all worked perfectly together. Subsequent updates have basically broken the devices. It is so frustrating. If I turn the microphones off on all the other devices then each device works fine on its own. Hopefully at some point Google will sort this out.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

Bnsherer — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:51:24 GMT

Google stole Sonos technology after entering a "partnership" with them, then ended the "partnership", then got sued and lost, and now we can't control group volume - all they need to do is pay sonos the licensing fees due and despite being a trillion dollar company able to afford it they refuse and instead make their paying customers deal with reduced functionality! Criminal and corrupt!

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

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Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

JamesA2 — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 18:16:16 GMT

Since this update, our first google speaker no longer responds. it hears the keyword, and wakes up, but then just stops, and we get no response on any other device. I've tried reboots, removing and readding, both the device, all devices and the whole nest, still no luck. I can still cast to the speaker, so I know it's working.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

ChrisBit — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 19:52:18 GMT

That volume control patent should have been ruled invalid for being a plain obvious solution to any tech person. Such patents are an abuse of the patent system and hurts technological progress for everyone. Sonos is the troll company there, and for that and other reasons (environmental crime "destroy your speaker to get discount on a new one" concept) I would never ever ever buy any Sonos product.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

MsDrasby — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 20:04:54 GMT

@JamesA2 Have you tried clearing the Google Assistant APP cache?

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

JamesA2 — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:42:28 GMT

Thanks, didn't know about this. I have cleared the cache on both mobiles in the house, but that hasn't improved things. The speaker looks like its about to respond, but after circling the lights, it just goes back to sleep.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

RvdP — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 04:20:07 GMT

It's all fine and dandy, but in the end functionality has been removed.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

ChrisBit — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 21:30:04 GMT

It seems very random how sensitive the "Hey Google" is - most of the time my vision impaired mom will have to make several attempts to get her phone to register it while holding it in front of her, yet other times even my phone half way across the house registers it even if it only has my voice match profile.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

JamesA2 — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:13:58 GMT

vary strangely on 4th October, our nest speaker, whcih we had given up on, suddenly burst back into life, working exactly as it should with multiple devices. I guess maybe another update fixed a bug?

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

Ralph2 — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:39:44 GMT

why will 3 speakers work properly to control automation or play music but a Hub Max not work correctly? Why won’t Google support its product?
Why does Google promise to respond to problems but never bothers to reply?

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

cc99 — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 18:19:02 GMT

None of this works for me. My phone immediately accuses me of not having permission to use any device or accounts. Meanwhile my displays try to respond, sometimes in another room to what I asked. The phone is so annoying I've been turning off the microphone, which kind of destroys Google Assistant for my needs. All of this used to work just fine for several years. It has only been since 2023 that this has gotten much much worse. It used to be when I had new setups or devices one would query whether my ask was for that device. Now I just get obnoxious information, not helpful, quite often a Google search which describes how things used to work.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

KatiaB — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 21:51:27 GMT

Sometimes Google on my tablet, which most of the time is turned off, replies to my requests directed to my bedroom Nest Mini.

Re: Let's Discuss: Using Google Assistant and Multiple Devices

auto7slot — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 23:32:22 GMT

Since this update, our first google speaker no longer work regularly. its respond and wakes up, but then just hang up and we get no response on other devicetoo. I've tried restart it, unplug, both the device, all devices and the whole nest, still no luck. I can still cast to the speaker, so I know it's working.