Google has announced that Google Home Max will lose sound detection from May 8th.
In an email to Nest Aware users, Tech Giant said the feature had been removed but did not give a reason.
This is a feature still available on Google Home and Original Home Mini, and is still running with the original firmware.
It doesn’t seem like this has been removed as a broader plan, as Google even said in an email that the feature is “supported by other Google devices in Nest Aware Subscription.”
Sound Detection is a function that sends a notification to your phone when you hear smoke/carbon monoxide alarms or glass breakdowns.
With the Nest Aware Plan in place, it also offers the E911 functionality and the ability to check the available security alarms when sound detection is performed.
Started in 2017, Home Max was the first real attempt from Big Tech Holy Trinity, focusing on sound rather than smart. It landed a few months before Apple’s Home Pod and a few years ago at Amazon’s Echo Studio.
And it was a bit big, ugh, moster, but it cost a whopping $400 when it first sold, but we said in our Home Max review that we “providing a Sonic Punch to justify the expensive price.”
Google discontinued Home Max in December 2020, but has promised continuous software updates and security fixes.
With the launch of the new Google Home app currently previewing and the promise of a Gemini-powered Google Assistant, it will be interesting if any of the older first-generation Home/Nest Smart Speakers are taking part in the action.
Source: 9to5Google
