Four Things I Do to Make My Google Nest Devices More Useful
I've been using Google Nest speakers since they were still called Google Home, back when the company was handing them out like candy. Over the years, I've mostly stuck to the basics of using the smart speakers to set timers, control lights, and get quick answers to random questions, but even carrying out those simple tasks is not without frustration. Part of the challenge of these devices is how particular they are about how you speak to them, but I've learned a few tricks that make it easier.Smart speakers in general are in a bit of an awkward phase right now. Most are still stuck with software that can only understand a handful of very specific phrases, and can get stuck if you don't phrase a question or request just so. Meanwhile, LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are somehow able t...
