What you want to know
- Google Nest gadgets are actually restricted to a single speaker group at a time, although current speaker teams won’t be affected.
- This modification is probably going attributable to a current authorized determination, presumably associated to Sonos’ patent lawsuit in opposition to Google.
- A variety of older Nest gadgets should still be capable to be a part of a number of speaker teams.
Google has confirmed {that a} current courtroom ruling means you possibly can’t play your Nest gadgets in a number of rooms on the similar time.
A Nest Group supervisor stated in a discussion board put up that lots of your favourite Google Assistant audio system from Nest can be restricted to just one speaker group within the Google Residence app at a time attributable to “a current authorized determination” (through 9to5Google). That stated, current speaker teams won’t be affected.
Because of this when you have a Nest Mini within the kitchen and a Nest Audio in the lounge, you possibly can’t group them collectively so to play the identical music in each rooms on the similar time. If you wish to strive your luck, you will see an error message as a substitute. The Nest gadgets affected by this limitation are the next:
- Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
- Google Nest Audio
- Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
- Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
- Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
- Google Nest Hub Max
- Google Nest Wifi level
- Pixel Pill (Hub Mode)
Although the neighborhood put up didn’t point out a particular authorized squabble, this alteration is presumably a part of Google and Sonos’ ongoing patent dispute. The latter has accused Google of infringing on its patents associated to multi-room audio know-how.
Early final 12 months, Google modified how one can management the amount of a sensible speaker group in compliance with a ruling from the Worldwide Commerce Fee in favor of Sonos. Because of this, clients had been pressured to regulate the amount on every Nest and Solid-enabled speaker.
The most recent concession is a bummer for Nest customers, nevertheless it’s not the top of the world. You’ll be able to technically change which speaker group a Nest system is in everytime you need, nevertheless it’s most likely going to get annoying to do this on a regular basis.
