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Google Home app is horrible

dpirovolos
Community Member

Why is Google trying to force all of its cam and doorbell users over to the horrible Google Home app?  I'm currently a Nest Hello user, and the Nest app works just fine most of the time and has features that the Home app just doesn't have.  Now that I'm looking to add a couple more cameras outside of my home, I'm seriously considering other brands because my understanding is that I won't be able to use the Nest app with the newer cameras (Floodlight, Battery, etc).

I NEVER use the Home app right now (I have a Nest thermostat as well) and I don't want to be forced to use it when the Nest app works great.  My limited experience with the Home app has been awful, and I don't even see an easy way to view non-event footage of my cams.  Why not allow new cams to be added to the Nest app until the Home app has ALL of the features of the Nest app?  Also, the Nest app just has a much more streamlined and elegant interface.  The Home looks chopped up and clunky to me.

 

7 REPLIES 7

bnky
Community Member

I second that. I HATE Home app. My Nest app is fine. Having new devices like battery operated Hello door cam on Home app and then everything else that's wired like old Nest cams, Hello, thermo and Nest/yale door lock still on the Nest App is absurd. I only bought 1 battery Nest device.. Gave it away and won't buy any of the Home app only devices. 

 

Brad
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey folks,

 

Thank you for your feedback on this issue, I fully understand the frustrations of not having your new Nest Cams in the Nest App or available on https://goo.gle/3A7x7ug web app. 

 

However, the new Nest cameras and doorbell are exclusive to the Home app because we wanted to create an integrated experience with your speakers and displays. A Nest Aware subscription applies to all of your cameras, speakers, and displays in the same home structure. Thank you for your continued patience, and support. 

 

Best regards,

Brad

dpirovolos
Community Member

Hi Brad.  Appreciate the reply and the desire to integrate everything into one app; however, there's no way that you can objectively look at the two apps and tell me that the Home app is superior in any way.  On the main page of the Nest app it shows me live views of both of my Nest Hello doorbells, the set temperature and Home/Away status of my Nest Thermostat, the current weather in my area AND the current status of my three Nest Protects.  The main page of the Home app simply shows me the name of my cameras and thermostat and doesn't even show my Protects at all.  How is that even remotely comparable?

I can't access any of the video history for my Hello devices in the Home app.  For my newer devices I can't figure out a way to create a clip for anything that isn't detected as an event.  Most of the time when I try to view video in the Home app I get a spinning circle.  If I want to simply go back 5 minutes in time from Live, there is no way to do so without first tapping on "History".   That actually takes me back to the last detected event, which could be hours earlier than what I want to see (and that's if the video even comes up at all, which most of the time it does not).  Then I have to slowly and clumsily scroll forward in the timeline to get to the time that I am looking for.   How is that a good experience for the user?

Performing the same tasks in the Nest app is far more intuitive and elegant, and I can do it quickly.   Why can't you guys figure out a way to bring ALL of the functionality of the Nest app into the Home app instead of forcing an inferior app down our throats?  Not to mention that it seems like you guys couldn't care less about "legacy" users like me based on the fact that you are essentially crippling the functionality of the older devices in the new app.  I would have to be a fool to use the Home app for my older devices - there is just no comparison.

I just don't understand the insistence on forcing everyone into the Home app when it is clearly not ready for primetime in any way,  You say that you want to create an "integrated experience" but in reality you are simply creating an inferior experience.  Figure out a way to bring all of the features of the Nest app over to the Home app and you'll have something.  Right now the Home app is just a mess and it honestly feels like it's in beta-testing.

Brad
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

Thank you so much for your insight and letting us know your experience. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and appreciate your feedback. You can send it at any time using your devices by saying, "Hey Google, send feedback," or by following the steps found here

Best regards,
Brad

aatienza
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

 

Since this thread hasn't had activity in a while, we're going to close it to keep content fresh. Feel free to submit another post, and provide as many details as possible so that others can lend a hand.
 

I appreciate the help, Brad.

 

Thanks,

Archie

The thread had activity 5 days ago.  That's not recent enough?  Or is it because I am being critical of the Home app and you guys don't want constructive criticism being posted here?

aatienza
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey there,

 

I'm sorry you had to go through this. Rest assured that we'll take note of it — we'll ensure that we'll learn from your experience as we continually improve our products and services. Let us know if you have any other questions as I'll be locking the thread after 24 hours.


Thanks,

Archie