How to get the most from an Android Home Hub
Home is where your Android is.
Lately it seems everyone I visit has a Google Home Mini smart speaker or similar device, usually in their kitchen. Despite the wide range of functions available, the main use is saying: “Hey Google, set a five minute timer”, or “Hey Google, what’s the weather today?”
But these intelligent speakers can do so much more, and it seems a waste of their capabilities to treat them as a glorified egg timer. Plus many such devices have a display screen that can add further dimensions to your Google Assistant interactions. We decided to explore the options.
Note that Google Home devices have now been rebranded as Google Nest, but the functions are the same. They are smart speakers that simply give you an audio system with Google Assistant built in, while the more expensive versions include a touch screen. And it’s not just Google selling these gadgets: the Amazon Echo and Show ranges fill similar niches, and the Lenovo Smart Display was the first to include a screen, now available in 7-, 8- and 10-inch versions. Samsung, JBL, and
Apple also have their equivalents. We will use the generic term “home hub” for all such devices.
A couple of years ago, when a lot of these devices were newly released, we put together a TechLife article about how to convert an old Android device into a Home Hub. It was fun, but with purpose-built devices now available for not much money there is little reason to do that.
Back then we noted that the Lenovo Smart Display was a good looking gadget, and recently saw the 7-inch model on a $100 special so ordered one, and then didn’t get around to setting it up. But it’s time has come, and it seems to be a quality unit – so what can we do with it?
Setting up your home hub
Setting up any Google Home/ Nest/Assistant type of device is pretty much the same process, so the Lenovo provides a good demonstration. Typically, your home hub device is managed by the free “Google Home” app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store onto an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet.
As usual, the device that you download the app onto needs to be logged in to a Google account (on this point, we have found that it can be useful to have more than one Google account - for example, separate work-focused and personal accounts with different contact lists, bookmarks and favourites could be used with home or office hubs).
Once you have downloaded the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, plug your home hub into power, and follow the on-screen instructions. Google Home should find your hub and help you connect it to your WiFi network.
The next level
We have already mentioned the most basic functions of a home hub device, so how do we take it to the next level?
If you are reasonably familiar with Google Assistant that’s a good start. Apart from the previously mentioned basic timer and weather, you can set alarms and reminders, check commute times, check the news, cast music and video, stream YouTube, and much more.
With the Lenovo Smart Display our implementation of Google Assistant was automatically transferred from the Samsung smartphone through the Google Home app. In fact it works much more reliably on the home hub
than the phone, and Assistant is always listening and responsive. Want to hear a podcast on Spotify? Just ask, and it plays. Not to your liking? Ask for a different one. Want music with a video? Just ask for it on YouTube – so easy.
Your Assistant can find information, tell you what words mean, do maths and conversions, manage and play music and videos, handle your messaging and calls, schedule your calendar and appointments – all by simple spoken requests. The best way to find out what it can do is to ask.
Most importantly in this case, the touch-screen display adds so much more to the user experience compared to an audio-only device. Spotify displays song facts, lyrics and a progress bar. Weather is displayed in tables and charts, and of course photos and videos are displayed on request. You can, for example, ask to see photos or videos from a specific time or place – there really is no limit to the requests you can make.
Ambient Mode
Most home hubs have an Ambient Mode where they play background sounds or music when on standby, and they can also display selected photos from your Google Photos, art gallery images, or many more options depending on your device. You can also have your choice of sound or musical backing for your photo display. A request for “relaxing wave sounds” produced just that.
Of course, you could choose to simply display the time in a variety of clock formats when your home hub device is not in active use.
Cast your music and video
Google Assistant supports Chromecast, so with most home hubs you can cast your music, slideshow or videos to other devices such as smart TVs or audio systems.
In the kitchen
Home hubs seem to end up in the kitchen more than any other place. After all, it tends to be a centre of activity, and a place where many questions arise. Apart from the ubiquitous cooking timer, Google Assistant is great at cooking tips and recipes. Just ask how to cook anything, or a recipe for anything, and Assistant will provide. Again, having a visual display makes this capability so much more convenient and usable – it can guide you through the whole process so simply.
You can also use your home hub to make regular and video phone calls, hands free – through Google Duo or other supported app. And you can simply ask Assistant to connect you – maybe to someone in your contact list, or to search for a local restaurant then call them to make a reservation. Your home hub quickly becomes the default way of doing so many day-to-day tasks – we recommend giving it a try!
Smart Home device control
If you have installed smart devices and appliances in your home or workplace, your home hub makes it super easy to control them – just ask Assistant to set it up. And with a visual display and an IP camera, you could ask something like “Hey Google, show me the front door camera.”
From switching on air conditioners, to coffee makers, to dimming the lights, everything’s just a spoken request away. CHARLES HANDMER