Google Wakes Up to Smart Speaker Complaints | TechTree.com

Google Wakes Up to Smart Speaker Complaints

Users have been crying hoarse about the Bluetooth connections to the device drop after a few minutes or less

 

Ever thought of how we could be playing a game of ‘pass the parcel’ if we get to know that there’s a bomb inside? Unfortunately for those using Google smart speakers, there were no bombs in the parcel (check online forums) getting passed around. So, the company took us for granted that if Bluetooth connectivity was a problem, we can use Wi-Fi and move on.

However, persistent complaints appear to have caused some flutter within Google, which first took its Nest Twitter handle to acknowledge the problem and then had someone take to the online forum to reiterate that the team was aware of the issue. “Our team is aware of this issue and are currently investigating for a fix not have such an important feature work properly. The team is aware of the issue and working on finding a solution,” the post said.

In case some of you are wondering about the context, the problem relates to the Google Home users who consider it as speakers first and Assistants later. They’re used to play music or as a Chromecast target from the phones, but the fact remains that these can be used as Bluetooth speakers and a source to stream to other Bluetooth devices.

The discerning amongst Google Home users have been complaining about how this function isn’t working for them as the devices aren’t maintaining the Bluetooth link without shutting off after every two to three minutes. The audio stops and the speaker makes a sound that indicates disconnection. Period!

Android Police had reported the issue repeatedly. “For many users, this happens after 2-3 minutes but there are cases where it’s just a minute and others for whom playback lasts about 15 minutes or so before it cuts.” The author Rita El Khoury reveals that despite attempts to connect via different apps on the phone, the result was the same with the Google Home Mini.

She goes on to give a workaround to the issue too. “The other workaround that did work for me is to go to the Google Home app, tap the speaker, then use the “Cast my audio” bubble to simply cast anything that’s playing on the phone over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth.” In other words, forget the Bluetooth and concentrate on the Wi-Fi.

Though it is good to have a solution to the problem, what appears makes us uncomfortable is the long silence from Google in even acknowledging the problem. Maybe they aren’t interested in having Google home function as merely a speaker because then the company cannot get data on user preferences that is so intrinsic to Google’s business.

Which is why we are keeping our fingers crossed on when Google would provide a solution to the challenge. Suffice to say that we will keep you posted when the company goes beyond just acknowledging the issue.


TAGS: Google, Google Home, google home mini, Google Nest Hub, Nest, google next max, Sonos Smart Speaker, smart speaker

 
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