Get the most out of your Google Nest Hub with these 5 tips

Google Nest Hub needs no introduction now. The Smart Home device is a nice addition to Google’s Home line and seems to be getting better with each upgrade. Although the Nest Hub is loved by many users, it has much more to offer than meets the eye.

The Google Nest Hub smart displays use voice control, which means the device is ultra-easy to use. However, the Nest Hub does not have a user interface, so you will not quickly encounter new features. Google does give you a number of tips and tricks on the start screen, but they do not cover all possible options.

Want even more out of your Google Nest Hub?

In this list you will find some useful features, which we think will make your Google Nest Hub a lot better. Most of these features can also be used by other Google smart devices. Basically any device powered by Google Assistant and equipped with a screen.

1. Customize your photo frame

If you’re not using the Nest Hub, Google will select some photos from your gallery by default. There is a good chance that photos that you would rather not see will also be reviewed. Don’t panic, you can adjust the photos in the settings of the Google Home app. First, open the Home app, click the gear icon and select “photo frame.” Here you can select what can be seen on the main screen of the Google Nest Hub. There are also a number of other useful settings in this category. For example, you can display the temperature and set notifications for upcoming events. This gives your photo frame a personal look.

2. Turn off the screen at night

A Nest Hub that is burning brightly is a huge nuisance when you want to go to sleep. Of course, the screen does not always have to be on, because you can easily put the Hub to sleep mode. In your Hub’s Google Home settings, select the ‘display’ category. Then click on ‘In low light’. Then press ‘turn off screen’ and voila. Your Google Nest Hub will never bother you in the dark again. Unless you say “Ok Google.”

3. Use your Google Nest Hub as a Chromecast

You probably already know that you can watch YouTube on the Nest Hub, but what about other content? Perhaps the best aspect of the Nest Hub is that it functions as a Chromecast receiver. This gives you the ability to cast movies, music and podcasts from almost any app on your phone to the Google Nest Hub. All you have to do is click the ‘cast’ button.

4. Turn your Google Nest Hub into an interpreter

Did you know that Translate is available on all Google Assistant displays? The 2019 version allows two people to talk to each other in different languages. The display then acts as a kind of interpreter. To give your Google Nest Hub this task, say “Ok Google” and then something like “Help me speak Spanish.” Do not expect that you can speak a foreign language flawlessly. The interpreter mode is still prone to the usual problems that Google Translate brings. If you don’t have too in-depth conversations, the tool is a handy support.

In the video below you can see the feature in action

5. Search Google Photos

It is also possible to start a slideshow on your Google Nest Hub. Ideal if you want to show your holiday photos, for example. You don’t need more than your voice for this function. Shout out something like “show my pictures from Paris.” You don’t have to create an album first for this. Google itself finds out which photos fall into the category. The matching images will immediately appear on your screen. The results of these commands are surprisingly good. Google knows how to make this selection almost flawless.