All good thing must get to an end , and that include the ability to use Google ’s multi - room casting for unseamed audio ascendence , one of the features found to outrage patents held by Sonos .
After a trade commissioning ruled in favor of Sonosyesterday , Google posted to itsNest forumsabout straightaway changes issue forth to its speaker groups feature . Google is roll out software pinch so that its audio casting feature do n’t dishonor the five patents that sparked all this .
Here ’s the gist : you may no longer adjust the bulk on all gimmick within a Google Cast home group with a elementary finger - drag . rather , you ’ll have to individually adjust the volume slider on each of the attached smart speakers and displays within that particular mathematical group .
Google Home requires you to individually adjust each device’s volume when casting to a speaker group.Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo
One of the perks of choosing your Android smartphone as the plate controller in a Google household is that crusade the exterior mass push would also control the intensity on each verbaliser bring to the rest home mathematical group . But that ’s also go away , and you may no longer utilize the quick shortcut to bend down the volume .
Google writes that most speaker mathematical group should keep operate as expected unless you ’re using JBL and Lenovo - brandmark equipment , which use a different casting protocol . JBL and Lenovo ’s devices involve to have firmware version 1.52.272222 or in high spirits to workplace .
you’re able to check for technical information in the Google Home app by tapping on the equipment name , then the configurations button in the right-hand - deal corner . You ’ll find the firmware list under gadget information . If you feel like your equipment is pretermit a microcode update , you’re able to try factory resetting and then linking it back up with your Google score to get it updated .
A small-scale subset of folks will have to instal a “ equipment Utility app ” or DUA to receive software update . If any of your devices fall in that category , you ’ll see a prompt pop up , presumably in the Google Home app , to download and set up the DUA . That will help oneself ensure your twist stick around connected to your household wireless fidelity and are running the previous firmware . hardening - up of any new Google Home ware will also include the initiation of the DUA .
multitude are pissed , if the replies to Google ’s post in the Nest forums are any indication . Some phratry are even asking for a refund , citing that this consider away one of Google casting ’s most friendly feature . “ This ‘ update ’ break dance all design and functionality of using your gadget to hear to euphony , ” publish one forum member . “ I am physically disabled and purchased devices specifically so I could check them by voice , ” say another .
My house is covered in casting devices ( it ’s my task ! ) , so I go before and test the multi - elbow room situation myself . The first prison term I tried it out was on what I ’ll call a “ bequest ” plate group I create a long time ago . It includes five speaker place around my downstairs country . As I was casting euphony from Spotify , there were no options to assure the sound when I press the telephone ’s button , and the Google Assistant claimed that turn down the volume with a voice command was “ not available . ”
It ’ll be interesting to see if more “ fix ” get roll out in the next two month , which is how recollective Google has before it ’s ostracise from import devices that profane Sonos patents ( which include Nest talker , Chromecast cyclosis stick , and Pixel phones ) . But the party already had a contingency program in place — the aforementioned software pinch — which was approved by the judge who made the preliminary opinion last August , and what we see here is potential a event of all that .
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