It’s been a couple of years since the original Home Hub Nest Hub launched and while it’s been one of the best smart displays available to purchase ever since Google has decided it’s time to announce its successor. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) as it’s known, looks pretty much the same on the exterior but boasts some new features such as Soli radar, which was last seen on the Pixel 4 XL.
Why does a smart display need Soli radar?
Well, it’s there to recognize motion gestures such as waving your hand to dismiss an alarm, as well as monitoring your sleep. The new Sleep Sensing feature will use the Soli radar in conjunction with an algorithm to check for snoring and coughing. It’s an opt-in feature that is free until 2022 before it becomes part of the Fitbit and Fitbit Premium plans, which looks to be Google trying to push buyers into paying for yet another subscription. Sleep Sensing will summarize your night’s sleep, and help you understand and improve your sleeping pattern by offering helpful tips.
As for privacy, Google says that audio data derived from Sleep Sensing is processed on the device itself, with the data able to be reviewed and deleted via the Google Fit app. You can also manually turn the mic off if you are perturbed by the Sleep Sensing feature. Like its predecessor, there is no camera present on the second-generation Nest Hub, which means you won’t be using it for video calls.
The usual home automation features are present, allowing you to control smart lights, robot vacuums, and thermostats, to name a few, and you can still use it to watch YouTube, Netflix, and also to listen to music on it or broadcast a message to the other smart speakers and displays in your home.
While it looks pretty much the same on the outside, the second-generation Nest Hub boasts an improved speaker that outputs more bass and also sports a faster processor that will bring increased responsiveness. The 7-inch display has the same 1024 x 600 resolution and supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Chromecast.
Things to know:
- Sleep Sensing technology – Analyse your movement and breathing at night and detect disturbances like coughing and snoring or even temperature changes in your bedroom that could be stopping you from that perfect night’s sleep – and if you haven’t quite reached a slumberful bliss, simply wave those alarms away thanks to this technology.
- Google Fit app – Your sleep data can also be tracked through the Google Fit app, linked to your existing health and fitness apps to give you a holistic overview and where you may need to make adjustments.
- Improved speaker: The 2nd-generation Nest Hub speaker delivers 50% more bass than its predecessor, letting you enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks, and entertainment services such as Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube with even greater clarity.
- Feature-rich – The Nest Hub comes packed with all of Google Assistant’s smarts and capabilities, letting you set alarms and reminders, control your connected devices, answer Nest video doorbells, and check on Nest cameras.
You can pre-order the 2nd-Gen Nest Hub in Chalk, Charcoal, Sand, and Mist colors for $99.99/£89.99 from the Google Store link below with orders shipping from March 31st.
Buy it Now: Google Store
