Do you use a Google Home device or something similar? Many people are cautious about having these devices ‘listening’ in their homes and reject the idea of them outright. We are aware that Google is gathering data on us, but then everyone is gathering data on us from the Shopping Centre operators to the Government to Facebook and every online store that we visit! In reality our lives are not our own if we live anywhere on the grid and use a phone or computer.
So do we ditch the computer and the digital age completely or be cautious whilst embracing the technology where we can?
There was a story on the news a few weeks ago about using digital devices in homes to assist older people to live safely in their own homes for longer. Google Assistant or Alexa or other devices can be used to provide advice, turn devices on and off and call for help when it is needed. In a country where the population is ageing and there is limited availability of quality aged care, why not make the most of the digital age to help people as they age.
We have had a Google Home Mini (the current version is called the Google Nest Mini) for a few years now and would love to share our story with you……
To be honest, buying the first Google Home Mini was a bit of a laugh. We saw the advertisements showing people controlling lights and blinds and music etc. with Google. We thought it would be fun to explore the possibilities! So we bought one Home Mini and started to play! About 12 months later we bought one for upstairs too and we are constantly improving the way we use the devices so that they make our lives more interesting.
Simple Uses for Google Home Mini
- News updates and current affairs
- Weather Reports
- General information, historical information
- Information about music and movies
- Setting a timer
- Doing conversions from Imperial to Metric etc.
- Doing money calculations
- Finding recipes
- Locating addresses for shops etc.
Other Uses Involving Additional Apps and Devices
- Playing music from a Streaming service, YouTube or a streamed radio station
- Turning the TV on and off
- Playing programs from a streaming service on the TV
- Turning lights on and off – you will need Smart Globes and the corresponding App or a Smart Power board and the corresponding App.
Our Favourite Uses for Our Google Home Mini
The most asked question for Google is: What is the weather today? But, I would have to say that our favourite thing about using Google in our home is the controlling of the lights. We purchased a range of SMART globes and power boards and can turn many lights around the house on and off with simple commands. We also have schedules set up so that lights come on and go off on a timer. You can even program the lights to respond to the daily changing time of sunrise and sunset.
This ability to program lights was especially helpful at Christmas time when we had several sets of Christmas lights inside and more outside that had to be turned on and off each night. The ability to schedule lights in your house is also useful when you are away! Of course you can override the schedule at any time if you need to – by using a voice command or the App.
My second favourite use of Google in our home is for playing music around the house. I listen to a Scottish Community Radio Station every Monday morning and I can stream the station upstairs and downstairs and on my TV to make sure I can hear it everywhere as I go about my business in the house.
Of course, having Google at my ‘fingertips’ in the kitchen is helpful also as I use many old recipes with imperial measurements.
There are many more uses for our devices and we will no doubt continue to benefit from them in the future. What do you use them for?
What Next?
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Until next time,
Gillian (and Andrew)
