Google’s “Ask Me Anything” forum reveals offline mode Plans for Google Home
Google hosted an “Ask Me Anything” session via Reddit, where users expressed their frustrations and concerns. One user particularly focused on offline accessibility for Google Home. Google’s Home and Nest Engineering manager, Daniel, responded by saying that their priority is to shift smart home device communication to happen locally. Matter, an open-source standard for smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, would host the process.
We’re focusing first on routing more of your interactions locally (thanks to Matter!) to get the reliability and latency benefits. Once we can have a significant portion of your traffic running locally, we think there are some powerful opportunities to enable you to do things completely offline that our teams continue to explore.
Daniel, Engineering Manager for Google Home & Nest.
Users also tabled compatibility and integration issues with third-party camera providers like Wyze, Eufy, NeoCam, and Reolink with Nest Home devices. They noted that integration does exist, but it’s not as robust as with Nest devices.
Google responded that it was due to high quality and security concerns. They affirmed that they’re working on it, but they want to be sure that they’re collaborating with safe platforms first.
A publicity stunt is not far from Google’s desk
Many users present at the Reddit AMA didn’t get the “honor” of Google answering their questions. It almost seems… staged? Some people even threw accusatory fingers, claiming that the company didn’t care for their complaints and only arranged the Q&A session as a publicity stunt.
The accusation is not far-fetched. Google has been known to snatch the spotlight with outrageous offers in the past. Among them is the Gemini AI launch, which fell short of the marketing campaigns and weeks of announcements. Google promised that their model could simplify complex topics. What was delivered is an AI, whose every sentence you have to verify for misinformation — and it didn’t even integrate with Search, their core service.
Nikita Walia, CEO of BLANK’s creative strategy company, once said that businesses may feel pressure to tap into holidays without specific reasons. Just take a look at how the company announced Gmail on April Fool’s Day in 2004.
Building on Nikita’s argument, Google may feel the pressure of innovations all around it. They might just be afraid of fading away and desperate for an idea that will save them.
Offline accessibility for Google Home is much-needed
Offline access to Google Home gives you basic controls, like adjusting the thermostat, manipulating the lights, and doing more without an internet connection. Plus, some of us have trust issues with how much data Google uploads to its server. It isn’t asking for much. We just want to feel safe in our homes.
