nest as intercom

[arcadius]

I'm reaching out to you today to express my profound disappointment and frustration following the recent discovery that the Intercom function on Google devices has been disabled. This decision has significantly impacted my daily experience and the functionality of my home.

To provide some context, I have invested in multiple Google devices specifically intending to use them as an intercom system between the different floors of my house. This feature was not only advertised as a key benefit of your products, but it had also become an essential component of managing my home, allowing me to easily communicate with family members in different rooms or floors without resorting to less efficient or more costly solutions.

The decision to disable this functionality without adequate notice or a satisfactory explanation is unacceptable and leaves me extremely dissatisfied. This action not only devalues my initial investment in your products but also undermines my trust in your company and its ability to support and maintain the promised functionalities.

Therefore, I demand an immediate explanation for this decision and, more importantly, a solution that restores the intercom functionality or provides an equivalent alternative that does not require further investment on my part. In the absence of a satisfactory response and timely solution, I will be forced to consider other options, including the possibility of switching to competing products and advising friends and family to do the same.

I hope you understand the severity of my frustration and the urgency for a response from you. I expect a serious commitment to resolving this issue and hope that the situation can be rectified in a satisfactory manner to maintain my trust in your products and services.

[cheliogeovanni]

Hello @arcadius,

I definitely understand your concern about your Nest, as the intercom has been disabled.  I am sending over here some steps to follow to get your intercome to work. 

Google recently disabled the intercom functionality between Google Nest devices, as of February 2024. There hasn't been an official announcement about the reason, but many users have expressed disappointment.

Here's what we know so far:

• Disabled Feature: The ability to call between Google Nest devices (speakers and displays) to use them as an intercom system is no longer available.
• Limited Functionality: You can still broadcast messages to all Google Nest devices in your home using the broadcast feature. However, two-way communication is no longer possible.
• User Frustration: Many users relied on the intercom feature for communication within their homes and are unhappy with its removal.

Here are some alternative solutions that might help:

• Broadcast Feature: While not a two-way conversation, you can still use the broadcast feature to send messages to all Google Nest devices in your home. Say "Hey Google, broadcast [your message]" to make an announcement.
• Messaging Apps: Consider using messaging apps like Google Chat or other options to communicate within your household through your phones or tablets.
• Walkie-Talkie Apps: There are walkie-talkie apps available for smartphones and tablets that can be used for quick communication within a limited range.

Regards,

Helio.

[arcadius]

I bought the devices only for this feature.

I cannot use apps on nest devices.

Also i dont care to send private txts.

Or use tablet.

What will i have to do with this devices?! Set pasta timers only?!?

I would love to ship back the devices to google and pretend a full refound! Im extremely pissed!!

[cheliogeovanni]

Hello @arcadius,

I do understand the situation and once again I apologized for any inconvenience,  I am sending you here the form so you can contact technical support for any further assistance.

Regards,

Helio.

[cwdonohue]

This ridiculous and infuriating. The support link that was posted as a response to a complaint on this page sent me right back to this page!! I bought these speakers for this function alone! I am ptfo

[cwdonohue]

Communication via broadcast is incredibly inefficient and annoying. Half the time it sends my voice including me asking for the broadcast and the other half of the time it transcribes what I say (incorrectly most of the time) and then reads it in the google voice at least 15 or 20 seconds after it announces the broadcast. This feature is broken. I want my intercom back. Ending the main use case without notification and informing users by having the voice refuse your request is the biggest middle finger to users that I could even think of. 

[gephreigh]

I've used Google Home devices for several years now, I was an early adopter and have a dozen+ speakers/screens throughout the house/office. Not having the ability to use the call feature rendered them all but useless to me. Over the years I've noticed less and less functionality with no real explanation as to why. I can only surmise that Google is trying to disassemble this part of the company, I don't think people would buy this product willingly if they knew that these functions have been disabled. The only reason I can think of why Google would disable this is because they cannot track what you say over the call feature like is possible through broadcast and wants that data.

The general disregard Google has for users of their product is astonishingly revolting. There MUST be a replacement service or 3rd party app that can be used through the speakers/screens that do not involve silly workarounds that provide no solution at all. If there is no practical drop in solution and replacement for these features that have been kicked to the wayside, I see no reason to continue on with Google products. I WILL switch to the competitor and add yet more E-waste to the dumps as these speakers will serve no function whatsoever that the competitor can't provide, and already does. To say I'm disappointed is an extreme understatement and WILL NOT recommend this product to anyone ever again.