Google’s Nest Hub Max will soon discontinue support for both Google Meet and Zoom as the company continues to eliminate in-display features.
This news comes from a user on Google Home subreddit stating that they had received messages informing them that they will not be able to make calls via Google Meet “by the end of September”. More precisely, September 28th according to 9To5Google. Zoom, on the other hand, will live just a little longer.
A Zoom support page explains that it will go offline on Nest Hub starting September 30th. The post notes that the app will eventually stop working on the device and “no further updates will be made available.” After that date you won’t even be able to install Zoom or access Nest Hub Max. It’s getting dark forever.
When asked by 9To5Google why they’re doing this, a Google spokesperson said that the company wants to shift focus to making Google Assistant “more useful” as it plans to roll out “generative AI capabilities.” Because of this change, “some underutilized features” have to be cut to make room.
Totally cut off
As you can imagine, people online are not very happy with this decision. One user on the subreddit claims that this effectively turns the Nest Hub Max into a “giant paperweight.”
Zoom has arrived on Nest Hub Max during the COVID-19 pandemic as an easy way to start and participate in group video calls without another external device. It also gave the smart home display an extra level of usefulness, allowing it to be integrated into a remote working setup. People have flocked to the smart home display for its usability, but now one of its purposes for existing is to leave.
One could argue that Zoom will be abandoned because the company doesn’t want third-party competition on its hardware. Fair enough, but that doesn’t explain why proprietary services like Google Meet are being abandoned. Maybe it was ignored by the user base. Assuming that’s the case, we can’t help but wonder what else the ax will get. Last June, the games on your device have been removed. At this rate, Nest Hub Max could become an island, completely cut off from the rest of the Google ecosystem.
Uncertain future
It is not known whether the smart display is still capable of making video calls. A set of instructions on how to use Google Duo on Hub Max is still active on the Nest Support website. However, if you remember, Duo merged into Google Meet last year so it probably won’t work. We asked Google to clarify whether the device can still make video calls, and if so, how will it work? This story will be updated at a later date.
After seeing this change, you’re probably thinking about replacing your Nest Hub Max. We recommend taking a look at EliteViser list of best smart displays for 2023 if you want some suggestions.
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