Introduction

Smart home technology is gaining traction in Kenya, offering convenience and efficiency. Among the most versatile devices in this category is the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen). This smart display goes beyond a simple connected speaker, providing a visual interface for managing your smart devices, enjoying media, and staying organized with the power of Google Assistant. For anyone looking to centralize their smart home experience, the Nest Hub presents a compelling option, particularly given its features and integration capabilities.

Whether you're looking to streamline your morning routine, keep an eye on your home, or simply have a personal assistant ready to answer questions or play your favorite tunes, the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) aims to deliver. It’s designed to fit seamlessly into various rooms, from the kitchen counter providing recipes, to the bedside table for sleep tracking. Let's delve into what makes this device a practical addition to Kenyan households.

Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen on a kitchen counter

Key Specifications

Feature	Specification
Screen	7.0-inch Touchscreen
Sensors	Soli Sensor for Sleep Sensing, Ambient EQ light sensor
Speaker	Full-range speaker with 3 far-field microphones
Assistant	Google Assistant Built-in
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.0
Smart Home Control	Thread & Matter supported, Chromecast built-in

Design & Build

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) maintains the minimalist design language Google is known for. Its 7-inch touchscreen is perched on an acoustic fabric-covered base, which houses the speaker. The display automatically adjusts its brightness and color temperature to match the room's ambient light, making photos and videos look natural and preventing the screen from being overly bright at night. The device is compact enough to fit on most shelves, counters, or bedside tables without occupying too much space.

Google has also kept environmental considerations in mind, with the enclosure made from 54% recycled plastic. There are no cameras on the Nest Hub, which many users appreciate for privacy, particularly when placed in private spaces like bedrooms. Interactions are primarily touch-based via the screen or voice commands to Google Assistant.

Performance

The core of the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) experience is the Google Assistant. It responds quickly to 'Hey Google' commands for everything from setting alarms, playing music (from services like Spotify or YouTube Music), to getting weather updates specific to Nairobi or Mombasa. The speaker, while not a high-fidelity audiophile device, delivers clear audio suitable for background music, news, and voice calls. Its far-field microphones are adept at picking up voice commands even from across a room.

One of the standout features is its smart home control. With support for Thread and Matter, the Nest Hub acts as a central hub for compatible smart devices. This means you can view streams from your smart security cameras, adjust smart lights, or control thermostats all from one screen or with voice commands. The Soli sensor introduces Sleep Sensing, a unique feature that analyzes your sleep patterns (motion and breathing) without requiring you to wear anything, providing insights to improve sleep quality. This local feature runs on the device and does not send raw data to Google.

Google Nest Hub displaying a smart home dashboard

Where to Buy in Kenya

For those in Kenya looking to integrate the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) into their smart home, Trivo Kenya is your reliable source. We offer the Nest Hub at a competitive price of KES 11,500. You can shop conveniently on our website, trivokenya.store, and make secure payments, including through M-Pesa, which is a popular and convenient option for many Kenyans. We ensure timely delivery across Nairobi and to other major towns, bringing your smart home closer to you.

Our team at Trivo Kenya is also available to answer any questions you might have about integrating the Nest Hub with your existing smart devices or setting it up for the first time. We focus on providing genuine products and reliable customer support.

Verdict

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) serves as an excellent central control point for a burgeoning smart home ecosystem. Its intuitive touchscreen interface, robust Google Assistant integration, and privacy-conscious design (no camera, local sleep sensing) make it a highly practical device for managing various aspects of your daily life. The addition of Thread and Matter support also future-proofs it, ensuring compatibility with upcoming smart home standards, which is a significant advantage.

While it won't replace a dedicated entertainment system for high-fidelity audio or video, its ability to stream content, display family photos, and provide visual smart home controls makes it an invaluable addition. For KES 11,500, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) offers significant utility and convenience, making it a recommended purchase for anyone looking to simplify and enhance their connected living experience in Kenya.