Google Home

LOL paranoid reviewer

Google home arrived at the party later than Alexa. Sure, Alexa got there at 8 PM, but everyone knows that you don’t even get ready to go out until 10 PM because it’s just getting started. Google has the AI that everyone else wishes they had and this is their niche unlike Amazon-which I have no bone to pick with-which is pitching out of their league when to comes to software AND hardware. My only gripe is not yet able to change the ‘Hey Google’ command on each device. Now, about my review title, what a shameless effort by either a competitor-or more attempts by Russia to hack our brains. OMG, this thing could record my five-year-old and I had to take it back; it’s the devils work. Too funny. I’m not worried about Google and the home devices. That’s like screaming fire when everyone has already been evacuated. I’m more worried about The FBI, foreign hackers, and other unscrupulous government agencies, not just ours, who could’ve been listening to us for quite some time through our laptops, televisions, phone, etc. or basically anything Wi-Fi-enabled with microphone. Even Mark Zuckerberg-in quite a viewed photo- has tape over his laptops camera. So let’s see, the CEO of Facebook, where clueless people post their every move an idea, is paranoid about others spying on him and using his personal information for some gain. Yeah, let’s get worried about the one microphone we know could be listening-which would be moronically stupid-and ignore all the ones we take for granted

Reviewed on version 1.27.1208

Fine - when it actually works - crashes too much

I just spent a long time writing a more detailed review before I was interrupted and had to start over. So long story short — for some reason, no Google apps for their own Google Chromecast have ever worked properly for iOS. There’s always been something. Both on Google Home, and the dedicated Chromecast App that preceded it. I can only get through casting half an episode from one of my paid subscription apps in my bedroom, before it inevitably starts to crash, as if it’s losing connection slowly (at 600mbps+) and then a full meltdown happens and I have to manually unplug the Chromecast device and force close the app to do a hard reset and get it to work again. I think I’ve only gotten through a full 45-60 minute episode a handful of times EVER. It is super annoying, and I bought the device and use Google’s own app for the convenience it is supposed to offer — not the constant headache that this app and the device guarantee. Please either fix this this unreliable mess, or allow people to get refunds to buy a device that works more reliably, like my FireTV stick on our main TV. We also have the option of just using our SmartTVs I guess, but are foolishly are trying to USE SOMETHING WE PURCHASED for the supposed performance and features — all of which are pointless if it can’t keep a connection to a flawless network that never has issues with any other devices or softwares. NEEDS A LOT OF WORK. Stop the crashing. Please. For the love of God.

Reviewed on version 3.27.104

Irksome, poorly designed (T-stat use only)

Edited after a season's use. Just don't. An advance that is far worse, cumbersome and otherwise difficult to use. I would put the old t-stat back if I hadn't recycled it. Junk. Overall, feels a bit like an acquisition they now regret and will let die. Like others say, the app is cumbersome, slow, and awkward. Using this for an old-style Nest t-stat obtained from my electric utility. As an example of poorly thought-out operation (that is, privileging circuit design over utility) it took me longer to find out which device version it was than to put it on the wall. (A page of text would be much better than lots of fun bouncy graphics-we're installing things like thermostats, not playing). Yes the device is an improvement (and is the only reason this isn't a one-star review), but really, it's easier to set the thermostat manually if you are away than it is to do it here. Just more things to go wrong with no actual advance. PS I really, really dislike the lack of a sign out in this app. Update 3/23: Pleasantly surprised that it has operated more or less faultlessly since setup, so will add one star (now 3) as I add another device to a different furnace. Just my opinion, but the secret seems to be to keep it local only (don't attempt anything other than in home & on same network) and use a simple routine-the rest is just a problem in search of something to do aka unnecessary.

Reviewed on version 2.67.102