Google Home is addressing some of its oldest shortcomings – what do you want next?
Source: 9to5Google
The Google Home experience brings a lot to the table, but it’s also infamously overlooked some features that have taken years to address. As more updates continue to improve on what Google Home can do, what do you want to see next?
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Latest Google Home Update
Nest “Video isn’t available yet” Fix
For the first time, Nest owners should stop seeing the annoying “video isn’t available yet” message after tapping a notification. This issue has plagued Home for years and at times made Google’s smart cameras feel worthless for their primary purpose—security.
Google says the update includes a “foundational fix” for this problem. While it’s not yet possible to verify the fix universally, the improvement is long overdue. As someone with a dozen Nest cameras, I’m thrilled to finally see this addressed. It feels like the cherry on top of many Nest Cam improvements over the past couple of years, though many of those “improvements” should have been there from day one.
Smart Buttons as Automation Triggers
The update also expands automation capabilities by adding smart button support.
- Google Home update finally adds support for smart buttons in automations
- Google reduces Nest Cam “Video not available” error with Home app 4.8
Physical controls remain essential for a smart home, and it’s great to see Google Home finally supporting buttons. Early reports indicate a few buttons don’t work as expected (source), but this is a step forward—especially compared to Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant, where the lack of button triggers was a noticeable gap.
What’s Next?
In my view, most of the major issues I’ve had with Home are now addressed:
- Nest cams work reliably.
- Gemini additions are solid.
- Automations are becoming more useful.
There are still minor nitpicks—like the offline‑lights bug Google promised to patch—but few “big” feature requests remain realistic. I would love to see true local storage and streaming for cameras (including Nest Cam), though that’s unlikely for obvious reasons.
My biggest remaining asks are hardware‑related. The next generation of Google smart speakers and displays feels just out of reach (preview).
Your Turn
What do you want to see next from Google Home? Let us know in the comments on this article or on the new 9to5Google Forums.
This Week’s Top Stories
★ Galaxy S26 just broke my heart
Samsung appears to be skipping built‑in Qi2 magnets in the upcoming Galaxy S26 series—at least that’s what every leak is pointing to. It’s a wild decision given the accessories we’ve already seen, and it removes the one big upgrade many were expecting for this generation.
- Samsung killed Galaxy S26 upgrades to avoid a price hike – leaks say it didn’t work
- Galaxy S26 series will “100 %” not have Qi2 magnets built‑in, leak reveals
- Galaxy S26 series surfaces with upgraded wireless‑charging spec, no Qi2 magnets
- Samsung teases Galaxy S26 camera by pretending it’ll actually be an upgrade
- Galaxy S26 is likely skipping built‑in Qi2 magnets in latest leak
“My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.”
★ Google just announced the Pixel 10a early
In a surprise to everyone, Google announced the Pixel 10a ahead of schedule, confirming a slightly refreshed design and a February 18 release date.
- Google announces Pixel 10a with completely flat camera, pre‑order Feb 18
- The Pixel 10a is officially coming – here’s why you should get a Pixel 9a instead
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- What’s new in Android’s February 2026 Google System Updates
- Android 16 February 2026 update rolling out: No Pixel bug fixes
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- Samsung goes back to its old charging‑case design for Galaxy Buds 4 in new leak (gallery)
- Samsung ends software support for Galaxy S21 series
- Samsung is confident the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will finally sell better than Flip 8
- Every Pixelsnap case for Google’s Pixel 10 series is $10 off right now at Amazon
- YouTube is killing free background‑play workarounds in third‑party browsers
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