Google Nest Hub ‘apps’ have mostly disappeared over the years

Google’s Nest Hub Apps Vanish Without Warning: A Silent Feature Disappears

In a move that has left many users scratching their heads, Google has quietly removed a significant portion of the “apps” feature from its Nest Hub smart displays. What was once a convenient touch-based interface for accessing various functions has now been reduced to a mere handful of options, leaving many to wonder about the tech giant’s reasoning.

The Nest Hub, Google’s answer to the Amazon Echo Show, introduced an “app drawer” feature back in 2021. This addition allowed users to access select functions via touch, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. The initial rollout included a diverse array of options such as Broadcast, Calendar, Contacts, Duo, Games, Netflix, Meet, News, Pandora, Podcasts, Reminders, Shopping, Timer, Weather, YouTube Music, YouTube, and Zoom.

However, over the past year or so, these apps have been gradually disappearing. The exact timeline of this change remains unclear, but it was first brought to light by observant Reddit users who noticed the sudden absence of their favorite features. Currently, only a few apps remain: Search, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and “Stories.”

This isn’t the first time Google has made such changes to the Nest Hub’s app ecosystem. Some apps were removed due to the discontinuation of Google products like Duo and Podcasts. However, the disappearance of the remaining apps seems to be a more recent and comprehensive change.

Users have reported checking various Nest Hub models, including the Nest Hub Max, Nest Hub (1st gen), and Nest Hub (2nd gen), only to find that the apps have vanished across all devices. This widespread removal suggests that it’s not a device-specific issue but rather a deliberate decision by Google.

Interestingly, this change appears to be the culmination of a series of smaller changes over the past couple of years. There have been reports in the last year showing that apps had been removed incrementally, with only “Assistant” remaining in some cases. Today’s situation seems to be the final stage of this gradual reduction.

The last confirmed sighting of the full app list was in early 2024, as evidenced by photographs taken at that time. This suggests that the complete removal of apps has occurred relatively recently, catching many users off guard.

Despite the apparent significance of this change, it seems that the app feature was not as widely used or beloved as one might expect. The fact that it went largely unnoticed for months indicates that many users either didn’t rely on this feature or simply adapted to its absence without realizing it.

This development raises several questions about Google’s strategy for its smart home devices. Is this a step towards simplifying the user interface, or does it indicate a shift in focus for the Nest Hub line? Some speculate that Google might be preparing for a major overhaul of its smart display ecosystem, while others believe it could be a cost-cutting measure.

The removal of these apps also highlights the often-overlooked aspect of smart home device ownership: the fact that features can change or disappear without notice. This serves as a reminder for consumers to be aware that the functionality of their devices can evolve over time, sometimes in ways they might not expect or appreciate.

As of now, Google has not issued an official statement regarding this change. The tech community and Nest Hub users alike are left to speculate on the reasons behind this decision and what it might mean for the future of Google’s smart home offerings.

In the ever-evolving landscape of smart home technology, this move by Google serves as a stark reminder of the dynamic nature of these devices. As users, it’s crucial to stay informed about changes to our devices and to voice our opinions to manufacturers when features we value are removed.

Only time will tell if this change will be met with significant backlash or if users will adapt to the new, streamlined Nest Hub experience. For now, Nest Hub owners will have to make do with the remaining apps or explore alternative ways to access their desired functions.

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