Google Nest Hub could get a user-friendly makeover

Google’s tinkering with the smart display

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Smart displays like theGoogle Nest Hub Maxcan be a great way to stay in contact with your family and friends, with the ability to make video calls and display photos of your loved ones.

However, these clever gadgets aren’t always easy to use for those of us who are less tech-savvy – and that’s somethingGoogleis hoping to address by testing a simpler interface on residents in seven Washington State retirement communities.

According to ablog post, the company sent residents nearly 1,000 Google Nest Hub Maxsmart displays, all furnished with simpler controls and shortcuts to make staying in touch with family easier.

These changes include a pre-loaded shortlist of contacts, so users can launchGoogle Duovideo calls more quickly, as well as new ‘What can you do?’ cars, that “act like shortcuts for showing weather reports, setting alarms, or playing relaxing sounds”.

Google says that “all of this was done in a way that preserves privacy for the residents, as the devices are managed on Nest’s fleet management system and run in a ‘signed out’ mode, meaning no audio is stored and all activity is anonymous”.

Smart displays for all

It’s not clear how the results of this study will affect Google Nest users around the world. In theory, we could see new interfaces that are generated based on your requirements, making the smart displays more intuitive to use and more personalized – and in turn, encouraging a larger number of people to useGoogle Assistant.

Speaking toEngadget, a Google spokesperson said that “a new experience will eventually roll out that won’t be exactly the same, but based on the same goal”.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

So, your Google smart display could be undergoing some user-friendly changes in the near future – for now, we’ll just have to wait and see.

In the meantime, you can check out the best Google Nest deals we’ve found today:

Olivia was previously TechRadar’s Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she’s a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She’s previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.

The cheapest Google Home sales for November 2024: the best Home Mini, Hub, and Max deals

Apple re-releases Homepod Mini in Midnight black and sparks discussion of next-gen model

Arcane season 2 confirms the hit series isn’t just one of the best Netflix shows ever made – it’s an animated legend that’ll stand the test of time