Two way video conferencing call between Hub Max (auto answered) and offsite phone?

[Irie]

I am trying to understand if there is a way that the Google Nest Hub Max could be used as a two way video pet camera. The closest post I saw was this one that says that there isn't any way to video conference if there is nobody to answer on the Hub/home side if I was calling offsite from my phone via Home app (or possibly an alternative)...

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Speakers-and-Displays/Auto-Answer/m-p/242493#M45820

However I was looking at the support document and wondering if anyone has used routines or duo calling to attempt this. (https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9165631?hl=en-CA&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid#zippy=%2Cg...) Could a routine be set up that would cause the hub max to initiate the call? Does the home/nest app have any functionality to broadcast video while also receiving a feed? I feel like there must be a way to program the hub to call me, even if at a specific time or other condition, in order to provide this functionality.

Has there been any luck? 

[Irie]

Ok I'm not sure if I'm understanding this answer... If I'm not in the house near the hub, but want the hub to call my phone... I say these commands in my phone app?

The issue is I want to video conference the hub when no human is near there hub while not on my own wifi or near home. 

[Irie]

To reiterate... I have a Samsung Google assistant on my phone and the Hub Max in this scenario. 

[Muddi]

Hey Irie,

Good question! Two way video call conferencing is a great feature but not available on the Google Nest Hub Max. As an alternative, you view or stream the camera of your Nest Hub Max from the Google Home or Nest app so you can talk to your pet via two-way audio. Just make sure to leave your Nest Hub Max camera to streaming mode.

We're always looking for ways to improve -- we'll take this as feedback, and we'll gladly pass it along to the team. You can also send feedback using your device by saying, "Hey Google, send feedback." Visit this link for more steps.

@MikeClark : Thanks for helping!

Cheers,
Muddi

[Irie]

Thank you for the answer. I'm not going to lie, I think having a "pet cam" setting would be an amazing marketing opportunity. In my case, I'm trying to go back to school after separating with my partner so I am looking for an option to share my face at minimum even when I'm in class so she's less alone. A pet cam mode that I can set up near her bed and be able to toggle video and audio on both sides of the conversation would be the best scenario but so far I haven't found much I can do that with.

[Muddi]

Hey Irie,

That's a perfect device for pet lovers like us! I'll take note of this additional feedback and pass it along to the team. Right now, the best thing to do is to send a feedback regarding this and for any features that you’re looking forward to using with our Google Nest devices.

Cheers,
Muddi

[Muddi]

Hi SillyPepper,

My apologies for the delayed response. We'd be happy to take a look into this for you. Please fill out this form with all the needed information then let me know once done.

Cheers,

Muddi

[SillyPepper]

No need to apologize; you have been very helpful! I am not seeing a form to fill out, sorry. 

[Muddi]

Hi SillyPepper,

Here's the link.

Cheers,

Muddi

[LovelyM]

Hello SillyPepper, 

Thanks for submitting the form. Our team will reach out to you via email anytime soon. Please continue the conversation there, as this thread will be locked after 24 hours.

Kind regards, 

Lovely

[Sarajonn]

I'm confused. Do you work for Google? I've seen tons of documentation that states duo/meet two way video calls can be used with the nest hub max. You're saying that isn't possible? As far as the question about the dog, I too am researching that and the issue is not whether the max can two way video call but rather how to get the call answered when the dog doesn't have fingers to tap a screen to answer. I have seen people say they were able to setup a routine in advance.

[Muddi]

Hi Sarajonn,

We are part of the Google Team. Google Duo/Meet is working on the Nest Hub Max but someone needs to command the device to do it or press the button to answer the call.

For adding an action to initiate a video call via routines, I can confirm that we can use it as one of the alternative ways of initiating a video call from your Nest Hub Max.  Follow the steps below or visit this link to learn more.

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Routines > tap Add.
3. Choose a type of Routine > Next.
4. Under “How to start,” tap Add starter, then choose "At a time: Choose the time and day when the Routine triggers."
5. Under “This Routine will,” tap Add action, then "Add your own" - type "Video Call <name of contact>."
6. If the Routine is set to start automatically and it includes actions with audio, select the device for the audio to play on.
   1. At the bottom, tap No device for audio > select the device.
   2. Tap Save.
7. At the bottom, tap Save.

Let us know if that works,

Cheers,

Muddi

[SillyPepper]

Google Assistant says that it cannot make calls from a routine

[Muddi]

Hi SillyPepper,

Thanks for sharing those steps. It's strange that it's not allowing you to add video calling on routines because we were able to do that on our devices. Have you tried to put it on "Add your own"?

Cheers,

Muddi

[SillyPepper]

I think my issue is that I'm not telling it (in the Add Your Own) to call my specific phone number "Call '123-456-7890'". I'm just saying "Call 'SillyPepper'". I think that is why it is wanting to verify my voice because it wants to grab from my contacts. I have to try it tomorrow when debugging won't bother my wife.

[Muddi]

Hey SillyPepper,

Sounds like a good plan!

Cheers,

Muddi

[SillyPepper]

I still get the message from Assistant that it cannot make calls as part of a routine. I have tried both personal and household automations. I have tried triggering from a device turning on and certain times of the day, all to no avail. If the trigger is from voice, it works. But, alas, this circles back to the head of the issue; making a call when I'm not there. 

[Muddi]

Hey SillyPepper,

To confirm, are you adding a video call or the regular call?

Cheers,

Muddi
 

[Princesss]

Hi there,

Chiming in-- have you had the chance to see our last post? Let us know if you have additional questions, otherwise we'll be locking the thread.

Best,

Princess

[SillyPepper]

I have seen the most recent post. Thanks for the reminder. It didn't work. I still get the same response that "I cannot make a call as part of a routine." no matter if I specify video call or not

[SillyPepper]

Chiming in-- have you had the chance to see my last post? Let me know if you don't understand, otherwise I can try rephrasing into parameters that may be more beneficial. 

[SillyPepper]

This issue is still unresolved. I am commenting back on this post because it causes an emotional response from me. You seem so hasty to close down a thread that had no indication of being resolved. You rushed me to respond but did not provide any further support. I think the policy for closing threads is a bit ridiculous. If I didn't know any better, I'd guess that all you have to offer is the ability to close a thread. Please be mindful of others

[SillyPepper]

My workaround is to have an automation for one of my speakers (positioned near the Hub Max) to say, "Hey Google, call SillyPepper" whenever I say a trigger like "Hey Google, I want to see my pets." Working on getting it to cast to my TV after that