GOOGLE Nest speaker owners are threatening to switch to Amazon’s Alexa products over major changes to the gadget’s capabilities.
Citing a “recent legal decision,” Google has axed the ability to add Nest devices to multiple speaker groups at the same time.
AlamyAmazon speakers let users connect all their Alexa devices together to make their own surround sound system[/caption]
This means Nest owners will have to say goodbye to their improvised, multi-group speaker sound system.
Amazon speakers let users connect all their Alexa devices together to make their own surround sound system – which is perfect for parties and housework.
Following a legal battle with rival speaker maker Sonos, Google was forced to change the way its smart speakers work or stop selling them in the US.
Now, the tech giant has announced new Nest devices will only be able to be added to a single speaker group at once.
It comes amid reports that the Nest Hub Max speaker will end support for Google Meet and Zoom video calls this month, according to Phone Arena.
Zoom announced in July that would end support for video calling for Nest Hub Max devices on September 30.
Customers are less than impressed, saying the changes are “awful” and are “destroying their smart home” products.
Some are even declaring that they want a refund, seeing as key advertised features are ending.
“I’ll prob be switching to Alexa now which I really really don’t want to do,” one customer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
While others have likened the £200 (ish) Nest Hub Max – a speaker with a screen – to an expensive “paper weight”.
“We bought this for my ageing grandmother at the start of Covid so she could stay connected to the family,” another customer wrote on Reddit.
“She uses a few other features, like music and weather, but the biggest appeal was a video phone. I’m extremely disappointed.”
A third customer, in a similar situation, added: “I spent $500 on two Hub Max so that my tech illiterate parents could do video meetings with my kids.
“Google is damaging my trust in them.”
The Sun has contacted Google for comment.
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