Hi Googlers
Let me introduce myself. I am myke and like all of you, I have relied on Google being my provider for all things Smart Home since 2021.
I am new to this forum but I have been keeping upto date with all the threads because I too have been ha ing the same/similar issues.
I am deeply disappointed with Google for the past several months. It is no coincidence thst we are all sharing the issues since the latest software was forced installed on us.
Let me give you an insight as yo what my hone runs with.
Google Nest Max
Google Indoor/Outdoor Battery x 2
Google Nest Indoor
Google Doorbell Battery 1st Gen (2021)
Google Nest Audio (Main Speaker) Bedroom
Google Mini x3 (Paired in Studio - for Stereo)
Google Nest Protect (Smoke/C0²)
Google Learning Thermostat
I have other manufacturers tied to my google home such as
WIZ Lighting - 10 light bulbs (one for every fitting)
TAPO C225 and C110 Camera (1 of each)
TAPO/KASA LED STRIP LIGHTING (for scenic TV lighting attached to my 65" Sky Glass
TAPO SMART PLUG
Now. GOOGLE ISSUES.
It is without a doubt that the quality and reliability has diminished in recent months (at least 4)
So initially after having my Doorbell in use for about 10 months, the battery life was pathetic. I mean I like in a HMO- Styled property and Doorbell is installed facing the main road. I would say for about the first 5 months it was doing great. Despite a lot of coming and going of my other tenants it was getting an average of about 3 week between charges which I thought was OK even given that Google Claim 4-6 months with average event capturing. Suddenly the Doorbell decided it needed charging at least once a week. STRANGE, The usage remained about the same but Google told me its likely due to change in seasonal weather. OK sure.. so I just need to charge it more other or install a mains adapter no biggie. That is until it caused problems installing due to needing permission fro. My landlord. However I did it anyways. Waste of time. I found that even with connecting it to the mains I wasn't getting it to fully charge, at most it would settle approx 65% and start to discharge again. Back to the drawing board of just charging the battery more often. This caused a secondary problem though. With the constant wear and tear of mounting and dismounting at least twice a week, even using the office lock tool. The security clip snapped off and would Jo longer stay clicked into the mounting plate.
After 3 hours of speaking with Google Support, taking videos, diagnostics of battery statuses and sending photos of the damaged clip the agreed to send a replacement under warranty providing I returned the faulty unit. This in itself was an issue as I was left 2 weeks without my doorbell. However, I digress.
Moving onto Indoor/OutDoor Battery. They were the first to suffer from the poor picture quality/HDR issue, shortly followed by my Doorbell. If like me you could probably relate to having smeared crayola crayons on the lenses. Pale,washed out, artifacts and overall poor appearance. I know I had the issue you all talk about having seen your comments and photos.
I too have reported it to Google and got nowhere so I have just been waiting with baited breath like we all are.
The real kicker for me is just how poor the Google Home App is now streaming the videos within the app also. Slow to respond and often blank out with intermediates messages such as "camera off" "Camera Unavailable". Progressing with fluttering patterns of them coming on and off rapidly.
This too I addressed Google Support with but didn't get a resolution.
Now to possibly the straw that almost broke the Smart Home User's Back (Moi)
Having literally spent over £1000 of Google Home Security along with paying £12.99 a month for subscription.
I purchased my 2 pack of Google Outdoor/Indoor Battery Cameras 16th October 2022 at a price of £349 ish
I woke on 14th October 2023, that's right 2 days before 1 year anniversary and one of them failed outright. (Randomly changing between Day and Night Vision mode without toucbing anything before you will see the colour sensor broke down completely. Causing me to spend literally over 4 hours on the phone to Goggle and Currys. Luckily even though it was 2 days left on retailer warranty they honoured the purchase and asked me to return them via DPD and they would then send out replacements.
Thinking well at least if they are new camera I should have the older, improved quality, pfft, FAIL. During setup to my account it forces the update that we are all agro/accustomed to right now. Worst still I am still having the issue of slow loading and lagging within the app itself but more so now a new bug has appeared. Perhaps it may just be mine but has anyone noticed that when viewing/opening up Camera feeds, they lack any volume for several seconds and then become louder. This too is nothing at my end configuration has remained the same and I have all my mic imput/output set to max but it has only just started doing it this week.
I think I can safely say my Google Home products may not see in the new year if this keeps up. If it was just a case of waiting for them to fix video quality I could bear it but it seems to be new issues every week now.
I am about to put together a little video of all the issue I have had in recent months and upload them to my YouTube account so you can let me know if you are having similar issues.
https://youtu.be/3-_B14jDbH0
(Please excuse the content within the clips. I am having work done on my property)
Overall, not happy GOOGLE.. PLEASE SORT THIS.
