Google Nest Hub Max

Smart speaker and screen does it all

With the migration of Google’s Home range to its Nest brand, like a flock of smart gadgets flying south, the Google Home Hub is now the Nest Hub (£119 from www.snipca.com/33934), and the Nest Hub Max is a chunkier sibling. The 10in touchscreen is dramatically bigger than the original 7in; the resolution is still pretty coarse, but looks fine across the kitchen. You also get stereo speakers, which are decent, though not amazing. The other difference for your extra £100 (currently discounted by 20 quid in some shops) is a camera, which enables video calling with other Google Duo users.

That’s not all. It recognises faces, so

SPECIFICATIONS

802.11ac Wi-fi • Bluetooth 5 • 10in 1280x800pixel screen • 3in woofer • 2x 1.5in drivers • 2x microphones • Mains adapter • 183x250x101mm (HXWXD) • 1.32kg • One-year warranty www.snipca.com/33935 family members can set up their own accounts and it’ll show only their notifications as they approach. It recognises hand-waving gestures, so you can pause your music without yelling at it. And it even acts as a Nest Cam security camera, although its functions are limited to notifying you of movement and taking a photo unless you pay at least £5 a month for a Nest Aware subscription.

The screen can seem redundant when you’re asking Google Assistant things and it’s replying in its slightly weary secretary’s voice. But it’s handier than trying to use your phone for recipes and Youtubing, and you can slideshow your Google Photos or, thanks to built-in Chromecast, play videos from your devices or a Plex server. You can also manage compatible smart gadgets and view feeds from the likes of the Nest Hello video doorbell.