Google Merges Home and Nest Brands With 10-Inch Hub Max Display
Google introduces the Nest Hub Max, a larger smart display with a built-in camera and gesture controls, marking the merger of the Home and Nest product lines.
Google officially merges its Home product line into the Nest brand at I/O, unveiling the Nest Hub Max as the first device from this newly combined team. The smart display features a 10-inch HD screen that adapts its brightness and warmth to the surrounding environment, making it well-suited for shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms.
Unlike the previous Home Hub, the Nest Hub Max includes a 6.5-megapixel camera that doubles as a security camera when users are away from home. The camera supports Google Duo video calls and utilizes an Auto Framing feature that tracks and centers a user's face as they move around the room, similar to Facebook's Portal.
The device also introduces Quick Gestures, allowing users to pause or play media simply by raising a hand, along with Face Match technology that displays personalized information like daily appointments for different household members. To address potential privacy concerns stemming from the new camera hardware, Google builds a physical switch into the device to electronically disable the lens.