More than two years after the introduction of the Nest Hub, Google’s first assistant device with an integrated screen, Google introduced it Nest Hub (2nd generation). The new version costs a hundred euros and is therefore ten euros more expensive than its predecessor. On the surface, both models look like two drops of water to each other, but thanks to Soli’s radar, the new Nest Hub can now be controlled remotely with hand gestures and the device offers a sleep-sensing sleep analysis. It’s time to find out how well the device is doing this and if you want Google in your bedroom.

appearance

Let’s start from the beginning. The new Nest Hub, like its predecessor, which was introduced as Google Home Hub in 2018, consists of a 7-inch screen mounted on an oval base with perforated speakers on all sides; the Google Nest Mini and Nest Audio smart speakers. The bezel surrounding the screen contains two microphones, a light sensor, an LED indicator, and a new Soli radar sensor. On the back of the screen there is a physical slider to disable the microphones, in addition to the volume button. The Nest Hub (2nd generation), just like its predecessor, and unlike the larger Nest Hub Max, does not have a built-in camera. Use an indoor camera.

A better speaker is integrated into the base of the new model and a third microphone is also provided, with which the Nest Hub should pick up voice commands better than its predecessor. Also new is the built-in threadRadio of the same name Energy Saving Protocol Mesh for Home Automation. Currently there are very few devices that support Thread. However, since Project Home over IP, which Google shares, also uses Thread, the idea is that the Nest Hub will eventually be able to communicate directly with other smart home devices that don’t use Wi-Fi.

The screen is again an IPS LCD with a relatively low resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. In fact, the only detail that tells us we have the “second generation” of the Nest Hub in our hands is the bezel surrounding the display. The glass panel in front of the screen is no longer surrounded by a plastic edge, but rather extends smoothly to the side and thus is no longer in the body, but above it. A slight change may be driven by the fact that dirt can build up in the tiny gap between the platen glass and the housing on the first Nest Hub.