Google updates Nest Hub Max. A useful feature will disappear
One of the features of Google’s flagship display is that it can extend the effective range of some devices, such as, for example, Nest Detect or Nest Yale smart lock. The fact is that these devices do not connect to the network via Wi-Fi, and they use “bridges,” namely Nest Connect, Nest Guard, or Nest Hub Max.
Google recommends repositioning your connected Nest devices to keep them connected after the update is released if you are using Nest Hub Max as a bridge/repeater. However, Google offers some users a free Nest Connect if it isn’t possible to move devices for their families.
Back in June, Google reported they would drop the range extender feature in future updates to the Nest Hub Max. At the time, Google called it the “Thread-Matter update.” The technical support page notes that the Matter update will have the tag “F7” in the name, and now the current stable update is “F6”. The “F” in the code stands for Fuchsia, the name of the operating system for smart devices.
Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max in the preview program will soon receive F7 updates – 7.20220419.2.166 and 7.20220419.2.164.
Apart from the disappearance of the bridge (or range extender) features, we don’t expect any significant changes with the F7 update for Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max.
Google also said that while the update would add support for Matter devices, it won’t make Matter available on your home network. That will roll out later this year with Matter support on Android devices.
The news reports that some Android users have started receiving system updates, and Matter device controls have appeared in the interface. These controls appeared in the new Matter devices & services item in the Devices & sharing section of the Google account settings and allow you to connect new devices. There is now a toggle to show notifications if there is an available unconnected Matter device nearby. These controls are currently unavailable to the public, but we expect them to become available in the coming weeks.
