“Why does it just keep getting worse? Like how can basically features just stop working? I actually kinda get it if you release something new and it’s not great, that can be worked on, but actively deimplementing features and basic stuff getting worse feels odd to say the least.”
Klakson_95 (Reddit)
This was absolutely not helped by the fact that user kelanfromgoogle’s responses felt very template, and perhaps even robotic at times. For example:
“We are also continuing to invest in the Google Home app across surfaces (watch, web, mobile, and tablet) to ensure that we’re launching features to new and existing devices and shipping them at high quality.”
And:
“You raise a lot of very thoughtful points around our other products – for today, we’ve kept our answers focused around Google Home for web, but we definitely hear your other points!”
(Editor’s Note: Whenever a spokesperson has to rely on the “You ask/raise a good/thoughtful question”, you can be sure that you aren’t going to get a real response.)
It Gets Worse
Other prominent issues, such as the apparent fragmentation and lack of cohesion across Google’s range of smart home offerings also drew ire. Many called out the poor integration between devices that are meant to work seamlessly together.
“Can you please, for all that is sanity, enable a volume leveling function which makes all media sound the same volume,”
ViscountReddit (Reddit)
Quite damningly, numerous users questioned why they should continue investing in or paying recurring subscription fees for an ecosystem that seems to be headed in the wrong direction.
“I didn’t even know this was gone, I thought it was just yet another broken aspect of broadcast. I use to be able to broadcast to a specific device and it never works now. Which has made broadcasting significantly less useful,”
Dcwiker05 (Reddit)
Users also left numerous sarcastic remarks, which others concurred with. This is especially true when judging the usefulness of the AMA event as a whole.
“I expect nothing, and was still disappointed. It’s rare (but not unheard of) to have a forum that results in a negative amount of goodwill, but you folks managed. Well done,”
FrigateSailor (Reddit)
Nothing Learned?
The harsh feedback needs to be a wake-up call for Google (and other companies) when handling these supposedly on-hand interaction events for its device user base. Sure, the representatives provided some responses about working on certain issues, but the answers were few and far between. Worse, they were roundly criticized for primarily giving vague, dismissive, or inadequate replies.
So, we are left shaking our heads as to the AMA’s end goal, with the poster declaring nothing but supposedly positive perceptions despite the outcome being clearly anything but. Oh well, so much for attempting to learn more about Google’s official roadmap on the matter.
