Moreover, with the introduction of smartwatches and smart speakers, we can make our lives even more convenient and efficient. One way to do this is by transforming your home into a smart home with Google Nest. Don’t know how to get started? Fear not. Here’s everything you need to know about how to set up Google Nest products for your smart home.
What Is Google Nest?
Google used to be just a software company when it launched the Google search engine. However, as the years went by, it started to break into the hardware industry. They’ve started making smartphones, smart speakers, and many other smart products. Google Nest is a family of products that range from security cameras, doorbells, speakers, thermostats, and more. Through Google’s array of Nest products, you can connect every device to one account. Thus, you get a unified home that makes every task easy and convenient.
Google Nest Devices and What They Do
Are you looking to create a Google Nest home? Then the first step to doing so is looking for the best products for your needs. Google has a wide range of devices under this brand. You can protect your home with its security cameras or security alarm system. Alternatively, you can funnel Google Assistant through a smart speaker. You can also add thermostats to control the temperature of your home during different seasons. Whatever the task, Google Nest products will improve your quality of life in some way. With that said, here are all the different Google Nest devices and what they can do for you. All you need is to speak and tell it what to do. The four speakers only differ in size, price, and a few features and specifications. For example, the Google Nest Audio is bigger and taller, providing better sound than its mini alternatives. However, the minis are much more compact, low-key, and affordable compared to the Google Nest Audio. These smart speakers are priced from $49 to $99.99. These thermostats can save energy, lowering your heating and cooling bills. They can also regulate the temperature of your home when you’re away, find savings, monitor your HVAC system, and more. You can also easily control them using compatible apps on your phone. With the Google TV version, you can browse different apps such as Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, and more. It also comes in 4K HDR, can control other smart devices, and works with the Google Assistant. Moreover, Google is launching support for Google Stadia sometime in 2021, so it’s more versatile than ever. The Google TV version costs $49.99. With a regular Chromecast, you can still stream videos but they’re sourced from your Android or iOS device. There is also no support for the Google Assistant or control for other home devices. While it only supports 1080p HD streaming, it’s cheaper at $29.99. The Google Nest family also includes products for safety and security. After all, keeping your home safe is a top priority so you can sleep well at night. Google Nest provides four types of security products: a doorbell, a smoke detector, an alarm system, and a lock. Each product does what its name suggests and can pair with different Google Nest devices for maximum efficiency. When you’re leaving the house, you can arm the Nest Guard using the Nest Tag or Google Assistant. The moment you arrive home, you can disarm it using the same tag or input the passcode. For the Nest Detect, you stick it onto doors and windows to alert you when they open. These also detect motion within the area for added security. The Nest app acts as a control unit on your smartphone to monitor and control everything. Lastly, we have the cameras. Under this category, there’s the Nest Cam IQ Indoor, Nest Cam Indoor, Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, and Nest Cam Outdoor. These cameras do everything you’d want a security camera to do: detect people, scare intruders, let you talk/listen, and even converse with family members. The pricier IQ versions come with “Supersight” (better sensors) and familiar face recognition. With Google Wifi or Nest Wifi, you can blanket your entire household with a strong Wi-Fi connection. The Google Wifi bundle can cover up to 4,500 sq ft for a three-pack. A Nest Wifi router covers a smaller range of 3,800 sq ft with just one of each. All of them offer dual-band connectivity. The Google Wifi and Nest Router both have two Ethernet ports, while the Nest Point doubles as a smart speaker.
How to Set Up Your Home Around Google Nest
After purchasing your desired Google Nest devices, it’s time to start setting up. In this section, we’ll show you how to set up each product.
Setting Up Your Google Nest Speakers
Google Nest speakers are the most common smart device that people choose. They’re versatile, powerful, and relatively affordable. To set one up, you have to first plug in your new Google Nest speaker. Afterward, here’s what to do on your smartphone:
Setting Up Your Google Nest Displays
If you have a Google Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max, the setup process is fairly easy. All you need to do is unbox the device and plug it in. Then, it’s time to bring out your smartphone. Here’s what you need to do:
Setting Up Your Google Nest Thermostat, Security, & Connectivity Devices
When you have a Google Nest thermostat, security device, or Wi-Fi connector, then the process gets a little complicated. These devices require good knowledge of electrical wiring, so it’s best to hire a professional. Thankfully, Google provides a service where you can ask for professional help. These experts are professionals with flexible schedules so you can install your devices smoothly when you want. Google’s professional installation service starts at $99, depending on what you need to install. You can book an appointment on Google’s website.
Setting Up Your Chromecast
To set up a Chromecast, follow these steps:
Connecting Your Devices to Google Nest Speakers & Displays
You can control your Google Nest devices with the Google Home app. This allows you to command speakers to perform tasks for other Google Nest devices through the Google Assistant. To do this, follow these steps: After this, you can now use your voice to command your different Google Nest devices. Note that only Google Nest devices that support Google Assistant have this feature.
Congratulations!
Now that you know how to set up Google Nest to build your smart home, you can finally have your home help you as you go about your day.