Another great review, Brian. You did a great job of explaining the differences between these two devices. You were very clear and precise in your explanations. In my living space, I have placed my Google Next Hub Max in my "Great Room". I watch a lot of videos, TV shows, and movies there. I also have a Google Next Hub in the same room, but it is used basically as a clock. I have two other Google Nest Hubs, one in my bedroom and one in the kitchen. I have a small kitchen, so the smaller device works okay there. Maybe if I win the lottery, I'll put a Google Nest Hub Max in the kitchen. My bedroom Google Nest Hub is a perfect fit for that room. Maybe Google didn't put in a camera in the Google Nest Hub because they knew it would be a better fit in bedroom without the camera. The Max certainly isn't for the bedroom. I am looking forward to new features and capabilities that will be coming down the road for the Google Nest Hub Max.
Hey Brad, thanks! I think you've got the right set up. You've put them in the right spots I think and you're using them for the things they were generally designed for. I think that's what is really genius about the lineup from Google right now. They know how people are going to use these things, and they're designing for those situations. Now let's get you that lottery!
I just bought both. I bought my wife the nest hub to use as a bedside clock/assistant. And I bought myself the hub max to replace the Lenovo 10" in my office. Nothing is wrong with the Lenovo it's still a great device, I think it might find a home in my son's room to replace the insignia smart speaker currently in it .
I think the other important thing to note is that the camera can not be turned off independently of the microphone. You have to have the camera active if you want to use voice commands, or you stick something over the camera. Not a big deal, but some of the tin hat brigade may claim it spies on us more :). Love your comparison, and I do agree the Max will get more features, but the original hub does make a great bedside clock, or an option if you have limited space.
Well Brian, I got my Max 2 days ago and replaced my regular Nest Hub in the kitchen. I do much prefer it and love the camera. Did my first video call last night and it was clear with both video and audio. The face recognition is really good as well. I find that it hears my wake up command much better than the other Hub. I have a mini in the dining room and a Hub in the living room with an open concept so a lot of times, standing in the kitchen, one of the others would respond before the kitchen Hub that I was standing right next to (even would hear the basement Hub or my office Home beep first). The Max seems to hear better but more time will confirm this especially the opposite where I'm in the living room. Will the living room Hub hear me, or the kitchen Max?
This is really great, because you've confirmed some of the things I'm seeing too Leo! I wondered if I was crazy...when you're the first one saying these kinds of things, it can be scary. :) As for which one hears you first...well, that's an overall issue for Google at the moment. However, I did experience a couple situations lately where the Nest Hub Max knew it wasn't being spoken to (I wonder if the camera is contributing to this) and ignored the command.
I prefer my bedroom cameras to be ceiling mounted. I now have display devices in every major room now. The Hub Max is very nice, and would buy another if I had a screenless place to put it. But I have no interest in replacing my year old or less displays now in use. You presented a nice and practical video as always!
Great vid as usual Bri 👍 I'm going to put an additional criteria into the equation when people are considering the 2 products, i.e do they either live on their own or are the only ones who utilise the calendar/reminder/commute info? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then I don't think the addition of facial recognition is of a significant enough benefit to warrant the significant price differential at this point. I think that's why I'm struggling to get super pumped by the addition of the facial recognition, inspite of my admiration for the intelligence of it 🤔
I still have multiple Google home minis.. They all link to Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra, to view any camera I have. Only feature I am missing is the touch screen stuff I think?
A disadvantage of the Lenovo vs Google is cannot get my Samsung phone's smart view (i.e. mirroring) to work on the Lenovo whereas no problem on the Google displays.
Great review. I enjoy my Echo devices, but the Max really is a great product and maybe one to consider. They did a great job of making a big device slim and tight. Easier to fit than Echo Show. Any thoughts on what Google will unleash in October?
Hey Tony, thanks! You know, it's looking like a Pixel 4, the Nest Mini, new Nest WiFi, and a Pixelbook Go. I'm betting there's another hiding in the chamber somewhere too. :)
OR is it Alexa/Amazon in future? Sorry AYL I know you are particular on Google but.... with the products Amazon are rolling with now and future is the search engine aspect going to be good enough to keep Google in this market. Product range and price are becoming Amazon's calling card and the home will soon be Alexa's domain!
It really is starting to look that way. The Echo Frames ... I'm gonna seriously give them a try. The Echo Loop, the Echo Ear Buds and the Echo Studio speaker all look top notch and worth a look. Meanwhile Google is taking it's time putting out similar devices. I'm still waiting for Nest to come out with an outdoor security camera with a floodlight or a Nest security camera built into a porch light. It's like they aren't even trying ... and all they have to do is at least copy what's out on the market already.
Hey Grant, I'm not sold on one ecosystem by any means. I do like Google's voice assistant MUCH better and I do think the Google lineup is much clearer than Amazon's...especially with the new stuff that's been announced (Sunday video, FYI). I think what we have to watch out for is Amazon's ability to have us buy the same product 10 times. The Frames, the loop, the ear buds, the auto, the input...they're all the same product with slightly different versions of speakers and batteries. Minor differences and put on a different part of us. Amazon's still put up a lot of great stuff and I can't wait to try lots of them out!
@@AutomateYourLife I kinda like Amazon's openness and ingenuity to their product line up. Different devices for different use cases and applications. + quality! I don't like making one size fit all. 10", 8" and 5" screens makes sense - Echo speakers for different rooms and uses makes sense - especially with these prices! The day 1 stuff (loop, glasses, ovens)??? Who knows maybe some stick and some don't but, it is good to see them trying out the formats and technology. Flex makes a lot of sense and is a clever way to get much cheaper voice access into all parts of the home with the twist of being able to add components like motion sensors and lights. Again, different use cases and price points. It's OK to lean more towards one platform than another especially if you like one aspect MUCH more. I like the variation, 100,000 skills and 85,000 partner devices is a definite strategy plus the auto additions will prove interesting.
Hey Brian! Quick question-I have a iPhone and am pretty vested in the Apple eco-system. My family uses iCal, etc. Will the home hub play nice with my existing routine?
Hey Pierce - Up until a few weeks ago, I used the Apple system heavily too. The biggest problem you're going to have is calendar sync. It's not TOO bad to deal with (I have a video...or like 3 I think), but it's annoying to have to do it in this day and age. Otherwise, it'll work with just about everything Apple has.
My wish with the name "hub" is that it would have full App functionality. So for example if want to change the photos showing on the display, have to use my phone to do so.
@@AutomateYourLife lol! You know me so well. Have you seen the new Amazon products to control Alexa yet? The Echo Frames; the Echo Loop, the Echo Studio speaker, and the Echo Ear Buds.
Thanks again Brian for the update and your thoughts. Much appreciated as always! Have not seen any dates when the Max will be available directly in Canada? Not seeing it on Google Play Store CA?
Hey Henry, I had really hoped it would be available in Canada already but you're right...it's not there. I know approvals have gone through for CSA, but nothing has shown up yet. I'd expect it before the end of the year, but you can buy it pretty reliably off ebay for $320 CDN.
Got the new 10" model, has the same colour inaccuracy issue as the 7". I have a red mustang but looks decidedly orange on the Google displays. Also have a Lenovo 10" where colours are accurate. Does not appear to be anyway to tweak the colours on the Google devices.
Yeah...you know, I sat there and stared at the two for a good solid 10 minutes. I see that differential too. It's the Ambient EQ method they're using on the Nest's
It’s like the engineered the practicality right out of it. No on screen keyboard and it’s tethered to the countertop. I always saw these and assumed they were tablets with an integrated Bluetooth speaker base stand.
@@AutomateYourLife any sonos in general. I have the first generation. Instead of using my phone as a remote and to see visually what's playing, can i use this device?
@@richardglazer7813 So I have a Play:1 device too and you totally can use the Google Home to control it. You just have to add it in like any other device in your home! Hit Add and find sonos :)
Blonde moment! I watch all your videos even though I have almost 0 of the products, but I have been waiting on the Max. When you say video calls, what program does it use? Example, could I video chat with my boyfriend who has iPhone? Also, can it get other apps like say, Facebook messenger (it has an easy to use chat/call/video call feature that uses less Data then other services). Would love to know if this is only compatible with other Max devices or how those social features work! Thanks Brian!!!
Hey Marisa - well thanks for sticking with me for so long! It uses Google Duo, which is a free app you can get on both iOS and Android. So yep, iPhone! Which is what I’m using. It can’t use other apps though, unfortunately,
@@AutomateYourLife Thanks! I have google home mini and some inexpensive smart lights and plugs for in the bedroom, as well as Chromecast, I always watch you to see what I may be interested in! So far I seriously just love being able to tell Google to shut the lights off when I am ready to sleep, no need to get up from a book or tv show or even roll over to find the lamp switch! Laziness is key for me! (I have back issues but I call it laziness issues). If I ever move into town out of the country where I would have people coming to the door etc then a lot of your videos would be extremely helpful for me setting that up, but being out in the country in the middle of nowhere it is more of something fun rather than something that would be a wise investment (at least until the area develops more!). Still, enjoy every video! I asked Google and Google Duo IS available on the Chrome browser so that definitely is something that makes this product functional especially with living in Canada and traveling! I think it was Facebook that launched something similar about a year or two ago and I appreciated the way the camera followed the user, but I don't think that every launched in Canada. Thanks again!!!
@@AutomateYourLife Well, I think that they do allow for streaming. When I open up the Protect app, click on a camera and then click on the Manage tab, it shows three options for RTSP. High(1920x1080), Medium(1024x576) & Low(640x360). I wish I could send you an image in this thread. When I turn on one of those options, it gives me : "rtsp://192.168.XX.X:7447/PH7JUGQpmDnwb33g" as an example.
@@rasheedbedri6411 to me the bigger unit is more useful, especially when the sound quality is far superior... I do think the 7 inch size is a bit to small, 8 or 8 1/2 inches would have been a better size...
