Key points
- While the Nest Hub Max offers a few built-in games and supports some third-party gaming apps, it is far from a dedicated gaming platform.
- While Google Nest devices do not offer a comprehensive gaming experience, they provide a niche gaming option for casual gamers and those looking for a convenient way to play games on their smart home devices.
- The Nest Hub Max’s built-in games and limited third-party app support make it a suitable platform for light gaming, while the Nest Mini and Nest Audio remain focused on other smart home functions.
Google Nest, a smart home ecosystem, offers a wide range of devices that enhance our daily lives. But does it extend its capabilities to the realm of gaming? In this blog post, we delve into the gaming possibilities of Google Nest devices, exploring what they can and cannot do in the world of gaming.
Google Nest Hub Max: A Smart Display with Limited Gaming Options
The Google Nest Hub Max is a smart display that serves as a hub for controlling smart home devices, displaying information, and making video calls. While it does not offer dedicated gaming apps, it has a few built-in games and supports some third-party gaming apps.
Built-in Games
The Nest Hub Max comes with a handful of casual games, such as:
- Quick Draw: A Pictionary-like game where you draw objects and the device guesses what you’re drawing.
- SongPop: A music trivia game where you guess song titles and artists.
- Heads Up!: A charades game where you act out words or phrases while your friends guess.
Third-Party Gaming Apps
The Nest Hub Max supports a limited selection of third-party gaming apps, including:
- Just Dance Now: A dance game that uses your body movements to score points.
- PAC-MAN: The classic arcade game is now available on the Nest Hub Max.
- Angry Birds Dream Blast: A puzzle game where you match colored birds to clear levels.
Google Nest Mini and Nest Audio: No Gaming Capabilities
The Google Nest Mini and Nest Audio are smart speakers that primarily focus on music playback, voice control, and providing information. They do not have any built-in or supported gaming capabilities.
Google Stadia: Gaming on the Nest Hub Max (Discontinued)
In 2019, Google launched Google Stadia, a cloud gaming service that allowed users to stream high-quality games to their devices. The Nest Hub Max was one of the supported devices, enabling users to play Stadia games on their smart display. However, Google Stadia was discontinued in January 2023, rendering this gaming option unavailable.
Gaming on Google Nest Devices: Limited but Potential
Overall, the gaming capabilities of Google Nest devices are limited. While the Nest Hub Max offers a few built-in games and supports some third-party gaming apps, it is far from a dedicated gaming platform. The Nest Mini and Nest Audio do not have any gaming capabilities.
However, there is potential for future expansion of gaming on Google Nest devices. The Nest Hub Max’s large display and touchscreen make it a suitable platform for casual gaming, and the integration of more third-party gaming apps could expand its gaming library. Additionally, the advent of cloud gaming services like Google Stadia could potentially bring high-quality gaming experiences to Google Nest devices in the future.
Wrap-Up: Gaming on Google Nest: A Niche Experience
While Google Nest devices do not offer a comprehensive gaming experience, they provide a niche gaming option for casual gamers and those looking for a convenient way to play games on their smart home devices. The Nest Hub Max’s built-in games and limited third-party app support make it a suitable platform for light gaming, while the Nest Mini and Nest Audio remain focused on other smart home functions. As technology evolves and cloud gaming services continue to develop, the gaming capabilities of Google Nest devices may expand in the future.
Questions You May Have
Q: Can I play Fortnite on Google Nest devices?
A: No, Fortnite is not supported on Google Nest devices.
Q: Can I use Google Nest devices to control my gaming console?
A: Yes, you can use Google Nest devices with Google Assistant to control certain aspects of your gaming console, such as turning it on or off, adjusting the volume, and launching games.
Q: Will Google Nest devices ever have dedicated gaming consoles?
A: Currently, there are no plans for Google to release dedicated gaming consoles for its Nest devices.
Q: Can I stream games from my PC to my Google Nest Hub Max?
A: No, the Google Nest Hub Max does not support game streaming from PCs.
Q: Can I use a Bluetooth controller with my Google Nest Hub Max for gaming?
A: No, the Google Nest Hub Max does not support Bluetooth controllers for gaming.