So I am happily using the Nest app, when i have to add a user who can unlock my door using the app. Sounds simple, nope. You first have to migrate from nest to Google home to add users. Ok fine, lets migrate. Now can I add them, nope need their specific email that is linked to a google account. Ok, let me ask for that. Meanwhile, lets test the app on the door lock. Open door lock, opens door lock, app doesn't know door has unlocked and hangs, errors out. Now can't open or close lock. Have to hit the little nest button to open the nest app from 2017 to properly work lock. Also, the choices for giving someone access to the lock is everything you have under the sun or just opening the door without app. Glad my cameras are with Ring, they have more granular control over devices. My disappointment is palatable. Here are all the cons to google home/ nest integration:
1. I need 2 apps now instead of one to control my lock. The google home app is not working. This alone will probably stop me from buying nest products in the future.
2. The role based access is too broad, there should be more groups or more fine grain control. In Ring/Amazon I have the ability to share access per device. So not only can they open my lock, but they can see what TV I am watching, brilliant.
3. I can't share access with any email, has to be one associated with a Google Account. Again, Ring allows me to send access notification to any email address, then they create a Ring account. Simple, many apps I have use this method, been around for many years.
4. The google home UI is horrendous. I mean bad. It looks like something from 2005. I know you go for minimalism, but this is something I could put together with MS PowerPoint. Also no control over what order devices are presented. (or at least its not as easy to figure out as other apps) No forethought into what would make some ones life easy, something Nest did well, before Google purchased them.
Nest used to give us innovative devices, which made our lives easier. My day has now been wasted trying to work with this dumpster fire of an app and writing this email in hopes...HOPES... that you will do better, create an app that works, looks good, and keep innovating. That is something I expect from a company that makes $280 Billion in revenue a year, let alone a fledgling startup. Feels like you have been stuck in some innovation time warp. Not only is Amazon besting you on UI and functionality, but so are small startups. If the nest app ever goes away without an improved Google Home app, I will guarantee that I will never buy another nest product again. As painful as that is to my home automation dreams, the app just makes the nest devices useless.
I love my Google TV Chromecast, great device, good UI, makes my life easier.... beats ROKU soundly, which is why I switched. So, I know you still have it in you.
BTW, what error correction dictionary does this site use, it has done poorly on suggestion compared to my phone.
Sincerely,
Concerned Nest Citizen
