Google Home Hub

FastFullBack

Ordered from Littlewoods last week and order seems like it has shipped but is in this status:
"26/11/2018 22:34 Sorted at PRIME SORT"

Anyone else the same?

jogdish

So, playing any video from youtube frezzes and reboots my home hub - anyone else?

OffalyMedic

FastFullBack wrote:

Anyone else the same?

Yep same here unfortunately

phantom_lord

I've my speakers connect to echo dots, could I still control Spotify playing through dots, with Home Hub like you can through your phone or the app on your computer? Or will it just output Spotify through the home Hub speaker?

bk

phantom_lord wrote: »

I've my speakers connect to echo dots, could I still control Spotify playing through dots, with Home Hub like you can through your phone or the app on your computer? Or will it just output Spotify through the home Hub speaker?

It would just play out through the home hub speaker, it won't work with Echo.

You'd need to get Chromecast Audio or connect the hub directly to a bluetooth speaker via bluetooth for it to play through one of those.

Bored Accountant

Finally got an email from Littlewoods last night saying order despatched.
Order status is now 'Despatched from SUPPLIER'. Its my christmas present so I have to wait a month to play with it anyway.

Thebeast078

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Bought two in John Lewis Oxford Street and looks the the two ordered by Littlewoods are out for delivery.

As much as I'd like 4.......Littlewoods do free returns which I'll use but if anyone wants to buy them for €115 or whatever the exact amount was and can collect either in Dublin city centre or Dublin 18 let me know.

I would be interested in 1 if still available ;-)

adox

I orderded from Littlewoods on November 25th. Was updated on 26th to say order being processed by supplier and hasnt changed since. delivery date on December 7th.

Money has been taken from my card so I am hopeful.

Bored Accountant

adox wrote: »

I orderded from Littlewoods on November 25th. Was updated on 26th to say order being processed by supplier and hasnt changed since. delivery date on December 7th.

Money has been taken from my card so I am hopeful.

I placed my order on the 23rd, and was just last night the status updated, but they had taken the money straight away!!

jogdish

During my Hub set up there was a question about setting it up for "Duo" voice calling - I was just wanting to use the machine so I skipped it.

Is Duo like Whatsapp voice calling, could I call my family at home from my phone and have them using any of my Google Homes (mini,normal,hub) conference style ?

MoodeRator

Duo I believe is the AI phone calling that Google developed. There are videos of it in action online, where they use it to book a table at a restuarant . Actually VERY clever,

phantom_lord

bk wrote: »

It would just play out through the home hub speaker, it won't work with Echo.

You'd need to get Chromecast Audio or connect the hub directly to a bluetooth speaker via bluetooth for it to play through one of those.

Ok thanks. So it doesn't have a Spotify app?

Frunchy

phantom_lord wrote: »

Ok thanks. So it doesn't have a Spotify app?

It does, but they're different ecosystems, they don't work together.

jogdish

MoodeRator wrote: »

Duo I believe is the AI phone calling that Google developed. There are videos of it in action online, where they use it to book a table at a restuarant . Actually VERY clever,

I think that was called Duplex?

The high horse brigade

phantom_lord wrote: »

Ok thanks. So it doesn't have a Spotify app?

There are no apps, it's not Android. It uses Google cast you cast to it or from it. You can also connect it to Bluetooth speakers

phantom_lord

The high horse brigade wrote: »

There are no apps, it's not Android. It uses Google cast you cast to it or from it. You can also connect it to Bluetooth speakers

Ah ok thanks

Frunchy wrote: »

It does, but they're different ecosystems, they don't work together.

It's not about the ecosystems, it's about the Spotify app. If it supported the app like an Android phone or tablet there'd be no issue playing through the dots. If it only plays through device itself that's obviously different.

Frunchy

phantom_lord wrote: »

Ah ok thanks



It's not about the ecosystems, it's about the Spotify app. If it supported the app like an Android phone or tablet there'd be no issue playing through the dots. If it only plays through device itself that's obviously different.

No, Google Home and Echo devices have never worked together. They're rival companies to start with.

donspeekinglesh

jogdish wrote: »

I think that was called Duplex?

Yep
Duo is the video calling service - https://duo.google.com/about/

FastFullBack

My littlewoods order is now up to this status:


29 November, 2018 11:49:40 Received at FASTWAY HUB
26 November, 2018 22:34:06 Sorted at PRIME SORT
26 November, 2018 12:36:53 Despatched from SUPPLIER
24 November, 2018 08:36:05 Order being processed at supplier

So it's nearly here. Same as previous poster it's my XMas present so will be going under the tree for a few weeks.

Bored Accountant

FastFullBack wrote: »

My littlewoods order is now up to this status:


29 November, 2018 11:49:40 Received at FASTWAY HUB
26 November, 2018 22:34:06 Sorted at PRIME SORT
26 November, 2018 12:36:53 Despatched from SUPPLIER
24 November, 2018 08:36:05 Order being processed at supplier

So it's nearly here. Same as previous poster it's my XMas present so will be going under the tree for a few weeks.

Oh great, its fastway they use for shipping!! I can expect a phone call about a day after he drops it in my local shop, to tell me its there!!

THE ALM

New features on the way in the coming days/weeks, broadcast replies will be a welcome addition.

phantom_lord

Frunchy wrote: »

No, Google Home and Echo devices have never worked together. They're rival companies to start with.

I never said they did. I'm talking about Spotify connect. Using the Google Home Hub as a Spotify remote.

bk

phantom_lord wrote: »

I never said they did. I'm talking about Spotify connect. Using the Google Home Hub as a Spotify remote.

Neither Chromecasts/Google Homes or Amazon Echo's are Spotify Connect devices. In both cases Spotify has to use Google/Chromecast and Amazons equivalent services to work on those devices.

Chromecast Audio, Alexa Cast, Apple Airplay and Spotfiy Connect are all competing audio streaming standards.

phantom_lord

I think we're getting our wires crossed here, I'm not talking about casting to the dots. I was just asking if I could use the Hub as a Spotify remote, like on a phone/tablet/desktop app.

But since The high horse brigade said there are no apps,
then it's a no at least for the moment.

Moreilly

Ended up cancelling littlewoods order as it was going nowhere( although i think its on way now anyway!!) and ordered from ao.com with addresspal on the 27th, got notified today that it's in the an post national hub, that was fast !!

Snaga

phantom_lord wrote: »

I think we're getting our wires crossed here, I'm not talking about casting to the dots. I was just asking if I could use the Hub as a Spotify remote, like on a phone/tablet/desktop app.

But since The high horse brigade said there are no apps,
then it's a no at least for the moment.

Yes. On the Spotify mobile (android for sure/apple I think) or PC desktop app, you can choose the Googe Home Hub as a remote speaker.

bk

phantom_lord wrote: »

I think we're getting our wires crossed here, I'm not talking about casting to the dots. I was just asking if I could use the Hub as a Spotify remote, like on a phone/tablet/desktop app.

The point is, when you use Spotify on iphone, etc. you aren't using it as a remote. You are using it as a client to use the Alexa cast protocol to send the music to the Dot. The Spotify App has support for a number of different audio streaming protocols (Chromecast, Alexa Cast, Airplay, Spotfiy Connect) built in and uses whichever one you specifically select as the end device.

phantom_lord wrote: »

But since The high horse brigade said there are no apps, then it's a no at least for the moment.

Strictly speaking it does sort of support apps, but just that it isn't as open as Android and iOS and thus only apps designed specifically with Google and following their rules and there is no app store. So they haven't allowed it to stream to other companies protocols (Alexa Cast, Airplay, etc.).

The same is true for the Amazon Echo Show, it is android too, but also locked down, so the Spotify app there will only work with Alexa devices.

It is more about the rules these companies are applying, rather then what is technically possible.

I do get what you are saying and I don't like this closed garden ecosystem approach. But it is what it is. If you want to cast from the hub, you will need to get a Chromecast Audio or a bluetooth speaker to be the target device.

adox

Ive got a despatch notification!

After all the pffafing aorund with Google and cancelled orders etc I`m delighted there is actually one now on the way to me now.

mx5ire

bk wrote: »

The point is, when you use Spotify on iphone, etc. you aren't using it as a remote. You are using it as a client to use the Alexa cast protocol to send the music to the Dot. The Spotify App has support for a number of different audio streaming protocols (Chromecast, Alexa Cast, Airplay, Spotfiy Connect) built in and uses whichever one you specifically select as the end device.



Strictly speaking it does sort of support apps, but just that it isn't as open as Android and iOS and thus only apps designed specifically with Google and following their rules and there is no app store. So they haven't allowed it to stream to other companies protocols (Alexa Cast, Airplay, etc.).

The same is true for the Amazon Echo Show, it is android too, but also locked down, so the Spotify app there will only work with Alexa devices.

It is more about the rules these companies are applying, rather then what is technically possible.

I do get what you are saying and I don't like this closed garden ecosystem approach. But it is what it is. If you want to cast from the hub, you will need to get a Chromecast Audio or a bluetooth speaker to be the target device.

So a more simple question - can i ask the hub as follows "Hey Google, play 'xyz artist' on Spotify" - just like i can do on my phone or tablet ? If not, (and this is probably a stupid question), but how do i actually play music on it, i.e. where does it steam from ? I dont have a google Music A/c, just spotify.

Frunchy

You can set Spotify as your default music player, then don't need to specify for it to play on Spotify.

whatawaster

Frunchy wrote: »

You can set Spotify as your default music player, then don't need to specify for it to play on Spotify.

I have found it sometimes gets Youtube (and Youtube Music) and Spotify confused in that instance

mx5ire

whatawaster wrote: »

I have found it sometimes gets Youtube (and Youtube Music) and Spotify confused in that instance

Ok - so i suppose that i am just trying to understand WHERE the hub will play music from if i ask it to play xyz. Some of the chat above is about clients, and how the hub doesnt have them, its not android etc, so its just confusing me a little as to how it works. I assume that it is just like a normal google mini or home etc, though i haven't used one of those yet. I know in a neighbours house if i say to their Amazon thing "Alexa, play 70's music" - then it just plays it - but i understand that it is playing from their Amazon account. Or so they tell me....

Bored Accountant

mx5ire wrote: »

Ok - so i suppose that i am just trying to understand WHERE the hub will play music from if i ask it to play xyz.

If you have Spotify selelcted as your default player, and ask google home/hub to play xyz, it will play it from Spotify.

Atomic Pineapple

Got mine set up today. Really impressed with it, it's a perfect size and the screen is really nice. The sound is a little worse than the Home itself but will do the job for where it is located. All round, a nice addition to the voice control in the house.

Frunchy

Will broadcast replies only work with the Hub? Was hoping it would work between homes and minis like the intercom feature on Echo devices.

THE ALM

Frunchy wrote: »

Will broadcast replies only work with the Hub? Was hoping it would work between homes and minis like the intercom feature on Echo devices.

I think it will work between any home, hub or phone through assistant

OffalyMedic

Mine came this morning and I'm delighted with it. This is only my 2nd Google home device (already have mini) and I came across a problem and there might be a solution but I can't find it. Cleaning house and had music playing over hub but couldn't get it to play out of mini at same time? Is there a solution so I can enjoy same music allover the house while I Potter around?

Frunchy

OffalyMedic wrote: »

Mine came this morning and I'm delighted with it. This is only my 2nd Google home device (already have mini) and I came across a problem and there might be a solution but I can't find it. Cleaning house and had music playing over hub but couldn't get it to play out of mini at same time? Is there a solution so I can enjoy same music allover the house while I Potter around?

You need to make a speaker group on the Home app

Tinder Surprise

Frunchy wrote: »

You need to make a speaker group on the Home app

Mine arrived but put away til Christmas morning by my better half :pac:

probably a stupid question...

is there a way to have a standard Bluetooth speaker (eg ANKER) added to the speaker group, or is it only IOT devices?

Frunchy

Tinder Surprise wrote: »

Mine arrived but put away til Christmas morning by my better half :pac:

probably a stupid question...

is there a way to have a standard Bluetooth speaker (eg ANKER) added to the speaker group, or is it only IOT devices?

You can pair a google device with a bluetooth speaker, it will play all its music and radio through bluetooth. It will be out of sync and sound awful if you add it to a speaker group. You''ll need a chromecast audio for the bluetooth speaker so it will be in sync with the google speakers.

Sheep Shagger

Bizzarly saw a hub hidden in a cabinet at PC World Carrickmines, possibly sent here from the UK in error?

No price and just the one by the looks...

listermint

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Bizzarly saw a hub hidden in a cabinet at PC World Carrickmines, possibly sent here from the UK in error?

No price and just the one by the looks...

Why would it be bizarre... They are sold here.

mx5ire

listermint wrote: »

Why would it be bizarre... They are sold here.

i was in that store yesterday and they looked at me like i was mad when i asked when they would have the google home hub....

Neither themselves nor Harvey N nor DID have any clue when they would have the hub in stock.

listermint

mx5ire wrote: »

i was in that store yesterday and they looked at me like i was mad when i asked when they would have the google home hub....

Neither themselves nor Harvey N nor DID have any clue when they would have the hub in stock.

What does that have to do with the fact they are sold here.

mx5ire

listermint wrote: »

What does that have to do with the fact they are sold here.

I was just trying to make the point that none of the big bricks and mortar stores seem to have them, their staff staff dont know when they will have them, and certainly don't seem to be aware that they might have them hidden in a locker. And are they sold here 'officially' ? Google don't sell them on their (Irish) website, only Littlewoods seem to sell them? I could be wrong of course.

Frunchy

mx5ire wrote: »

I was just trying to make the point that none of the big bricks and mortar stores seem to have them, their staff staff dont know when they will have them, and certainly don't seem to be aware that they might have them hidden in a locker. And are they sold here 'officially' ? Google don't sell them on their (Irish) website, only Littlewoods seem to sell them? I could be wrong of course.

Most of the staff in those shops don't have a clue about the products they're selling.

Sheep Shagger

listermint wrote: »

Why would it be bizarre... They are sold here.

Oh didnt think they were in physical stores here yet - who else sells them.

adox

listermint wrote: »

What does that have to do with the fact they are sold here.

Where are they sold here? Not in any bricks and mortar shops that I’ve seen. Not on the google Irish site itself.

The only place is online with Littlewoods as far as I can see and they seem to be shipping them in from the UK to order, so I think the OPs original comment and photo are perfectly valid.

ondafly

adox wrote: »

Where are they sold here? Not in any bricks and mortar shops that I’ve seen. Not on the google Irish site itself.

The only place is online with Littlewoods as far as I can see and they seem to be shipping them in from the UK to order, so I think the OPs original comment and photo are perfectly valid.

Argos sell them

Cockford Ollie

I don't see the Home Hub in Argos.