Lenovo home smart speakers now always ask for device name but giving name still doesn't work

[staggart]

I have 5 Lenovo smart speakers.  They have worked well for a few years now.  Yesterday (2023.05.17) all of them started insisting that any request must also now include the device name.  For example, "Hey Google, play music" results in something like "I also need to know which device to use.  Please try saying that again and include the device name".  No matter what I say that includes the device name, I get back the same response.  When I ask for the device name, it is correct (for example, Kitchen Clock).  So, "play music on kitchen clock" gives me back the same "I also need to know which device to use...".  I have power cycled devices, no change.  In google home on my android, I see all devices with their same correct names, etc.  This seems like a google serve backend issue to me?

[5pencer]

I am having the exact same problem. A factory reset and re-install has not solved the problem.

[staggart]

Right - I did the same.  I assume it must be the google "home" server software that has changed but I have no idea how to get google's attention.

[staggart]

Maybe this is the problem?  It says they will still work but who knows? https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/10/23676959/google-third-party-assistant-smart-displays-updates-bard  I also posted here but have yet to receive a response: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Smart-Display-Lenovo-Smart-Clock-with-Google-Assistant/Smart-Clo...

There seems to be very little about this problem on the internet so maybe it's just my home...

[staggart]

I'm giving up on the Lenovos.  Assuming google broke things and will not fix them because it's not in their master plan to make another buck.  A mistake to rely on a "free" third party for critical software who has zero motivation to keep things going.  Trying the $49 Alexa...  At least Amazon should be motivated to support their own stuff.  Sad that all this hardware has to go to the landfill.  "Do no evil" my arse...

[5pencer]

I was thinking of he exact same about Google and their motto.