When Google LLC introduced its Mini and Max Home speakers last month, it also introduced new Google Assistant features that would roll out over the next few months.

One of those features that is now available for Google Home owners is the broadcast function that allows users to broadcast messages from their smartphone or Google Home to other Home devices in the house.

As the competition in the smart home speaker market continues to heat up from established players Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc., which is due to release its premium HomePod next month, Google needs to keep adding new features and devices to remain competitive.

Although Apple’s HomePod is yet to be released, rumors are already making the rounds of what the next-generation device will contain. David Ho, president of Inventec Corp., the manufacturer of Apple’s smart home speaker, spoke over the weekend about future smart home speakers incorporating facial and image recognition, though he didn’t specifically mention the next HomePod. The iPhone X, Apple’s most recent flagship, includes Face ID, a feature that is expected to be incorporated into all of the company’s 2018 iPhones.  

The new broadcast feature is rolling out to Google Assistant on phones and speakers set to English language in the U.S., Australia, Canada and the U.K. Support for more languages will be available soon.

How to use the new broadcast feature with Google Assistant

Broadcast from one Google Home device to others

To broadcast from one Google Home device to others, you will need to have at least two devices, which can be a combination of Google Home and Google Home Mini.

All the Google Home devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and be running firmware version 1.26.93937 or higher. At least one household member must be signed into each of the Google Home devices.

Finally, to broadcast between Google Home devices you need to ensure “Do Not Disturb” mode is disabled. You can do this by opening the Google Home app > tap Devices in the top-right corner > tap the Menu icon for the Google Home device card > Settings > Do not disturb. Make sure the box is not ticked.  

The message that you broadcast will play on all Google Home devices on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Google Account(s) as the originating device.

Broadcast from your smartphone to Google Home devices

To broadcast from your smartphone to at least one Google Home device, you will need a smartphone that meets Google Assistant requirements:

• Android: Android 6.0 or higher; Google app 6.13 or higher; Google Play services; 1.5 GB of memory and 720p screen resolution; and the phone’s language set to English.
• iPhone: iOS 9.1 or higher; Google Assistant app; and the phone’s language set to English.

You will need to be running Google Home device firmware version 1.26.93937 or higher and have “Do Not Disturb” mode disabled. You will also need to be signed into the same Google Account on your smartphone and on the Google Home device(s).  

The message that you broadcast will play on all Google Home devices that are signed into the same Google Account.

Broadcast your message

Using the steps above, you can broadcast a custom message, either when you are in the house to other rooms or from your smartphone when you are on your way home. Just say, “Ok Google, Broadcast/shout/tell everyone/announce <message>.”

Everyday messages can also be broadcast, such as time for breakfast/lunch/dinner, time to leave, and the like, which will be accompanied by a sound. Just say “Ok Google, broadcast it’s dinnertime” and a dinner bell will ring on all your Google Homes, including the device you are broadcasting from.

Image: Google