
A Google Nest Mini on the veranda? Absolutely.
Angela Lang / CNET
Google Home ($ 49 at Walmart) smart speakers and displays have seen quite drastic price cuts lately so you may be waiting for one or more box unpacked. But where should it go? It is a dilemma that I face more often than I would like to admit. Last week I picked up the original Google Home from Target for $ 29, although I already own two Nest Hubs ($ 79 at Walmart) two Nest Minis ($ 29 at Walmart) and three Google Home Minis ($ 29 at Crutchfield) .
Why might you wonder, do I need so many smart speakers for a two-bedroom mansion? Because Google Home is handy anytime, anywhere, not just in the typical places like the living room, kitchen or bedroom. In fact, I would never have added a smart speaker to some of my favorite locations if I hadn't been addicted to great deals on great technology
To help you get your new Google Home ̵
Dale Smith / CNET
Sorry, rubber duck. Google Home is more fun
I first discovered the pleasure of a Google Home in the bathroom when I discovered all the different ways to install a Google Home Mini for a week. This is definitely a situation where you want to keep electronics out of the splash zone, so I highly recommend placing smart speakers on the wall or on a shelf away from the sink, bath, or shower. Once you do this, here are some benefits of having a Google Home device in your bathroom:
- As you prepare at the beginning or end of the day, you can: Play music get the weather forecast hear the news or listen to podcasts .
- Set toothbrush timers (" OK, Google, set a two minute timer "), and not just for the kids – two minutes of brushing is a lot, even for adults.
- Timing your shower, either with a timer or alarm (or even just asking "" Hey Google, what time is it? ") so you're not late.
- Talk to others in your household using the broadcast function. Say " OK, Google, broadcast " followed by your announcement and each speaker in your house will play the message. However, the answers will only go to the speaker you are broadcasting from. .
If you have a Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Hub , you can open and close the overhead door with a Google Home device in your garage using voice commands.
Colin West McDonald / CNET
Park Google Home where you park your car
Even though I sometimes spend only a total of about four minutes a day in my garage, a lot usually happens in those four minutes. Whether I'm coming or going, it's nice to have a Google Home speaker in the garage for last-minute tasks before I leave (and a little extra help when I arrive). For example, with a Google Home speaker in the garage, you can:
- turn off all smart lights or other connected smart home devices before you leave (and on when you get home) [19659016] Find out if it's going to rain while you're on the road (so you can grab an umbrella).
- If you have a smart garage controller open and close your garage with your voice.
- Find out the traffic situation and driving time before you leave by asking, " Hey, Google, how long will it take me to get to [destination] ." [19659019] img-1258 "data-original =" https://cnet1.cbsistatic.com/img/PMZgWjCcxawtLL6ky49nedX7XiA=/2020/01/03/64b77b11-4f8c-4d90-a805-29b1341bee23/img-1258.jpg"19659031 ] img-1258 “/>
A Google Nest Hub or Hub Max is a great second screen in your home office.
Dale Smith / CNET
In my home office it seems like a smart second screen
One of my most used Google Home devices is the Nest Hub that I keep at home on my desk, next to my computer screen. What is weird, right? Not at all, and here's why:
Better than a butler in the foyer
A Google Home speaker in the foyer is convenient enough to play a sound when someone rings the bell at Nest Hello Doorbell . But the best thing about a smart speaker at the entrance to your house is what you can do with it in the next tip.
Angela Lang / CNET
Getting Google Home Outdoors
A Google Home in your foyer means a speaker near your porch, where you can move it during weekends, vacations, gatherings, and special events. For example:
- Listen to music or podcasts while leaning towards your front yard.
- Play calm, relaxing music for pedestrians walking past your house.
- When orders are lifted and we can visit each other's houses again, you can welcome guests to birthday parties with birthday songs or graduation parties with marches like Pomp and Circumstance, or national holidays like Memorial Day and Fourth of July gatherings with patriotic music.
Do you have more smart Google Home speakers than you know what to do with them? Double identical Google Home speakers to make a stereo link or use them all to build a whole house audio system . And with all those speakers in your house, you probably want to adjust the sensitivity of the wake word so that the one you want can hear you.