In a recent development, Google’s Nest Hub Max is set to terminate support for two popular video conferencing platforms, Google Meet and Zoom. These changes reflect a broader trend of feature reduction on the smart display.
Google Meet Support Termination: September 28 A user on the Google Home subreddit has reported receiving messages indicating that they won’t be able to make calls via Google Meet on their Nest Hub Max “by the end of September.” More specifically, Google Meet support will cease on September 28, as reported by 9To5Google.
Zoom’s Remaining Lifespan: Until September 30 Zoom, however, will continue to function on the Nest Hub Max until September 30. According to a Zoom support page, the app will go offline on the device, and “no further updates will be made available.” After this date, users won’t be able to install Zoom or sign in on the Nest Hub Max.
The Reason Behind the Changes When questioned about the rationale behind these changes, a Google spokesperson cited the company’s focus on enhancing Google Assistant with “generative AI capabilities.” This shift in focus necessitates the discontinuation of “some underutilized features,” including Google Meet and Zoom support.
Community Reaction The news has sparked frustration among users, with one Reddit user describing the Nest Hub Max’s loss of video conferencing capabilities as turning it into a “giant paperweight.” Zoom had become a valuable tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering an easy way to initiate group video calls without external devices.
Uncertain Future As these changes unfold, questions arise about the Nest Hub Max’s ability to make video calls in the future. Instructions on how to use Google Duo on the device remain live on the Nest Help website. However, considering that Duo merged into Google Meet last year, its functionality may be compromised. We’ve reached out to Google for clarification on the device’s video call capabilities.
Considering Alternatives In light of these alterations, users may be contemplating replacements for their Nest Hub Max devices as they adapt to this evolving landscape.
