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    Google Home Basics

    Talk to your house.

    Daily commands

    • "Hey Google, what's the weather?"
    • "Hey Google, set timer for 10 minutes."
    • "Hey Google, play classical music."
    • "Hey Google, call mom." (works after pairing your contacts)
    • "Hey Google, remind me to take my pills at 8 PM."
    • "Hey Google, what's on my calendar today?"
    • "Hey Google, how do you spell rhubarb?"
    • "Hey Google, news brief."

    Senior-friendly settings

    1. Open Google Home app on phone.
    2. Tap your speaker → settings gear.
    3. Voice and Match — train it to recognize YOUR voice. Personalized responses.
    4. Voice speed — slow it down (0.8x easier to follow).
    5. Volume — set max to 80% so it doesn't startle.
    6. Ambient EQ — adjusts speaker volume to room noise.

    Routines

    • "OK Google, good morning" — turns on lights, reads weather + calendar.
    • "OK Google, bedtime" — turns off lights, sets thermostat, plays sleep sounds.
    • "OK Google, I'm leaving" — locks doors, lights off, away mode.
    • Set up under Google Home app → Routines tab.

    Calls without a phone

    Set up Duo or Google Voice. Then say "Hey Google, call John." Speaker dials. Works hands-free — great for arthritis or low vision.

    Best Google speakers (2025)

    • Nest Mini ($35-50) — small, audio only. Bedside.
    • Nest Audio ($100) — bigger sound. Living room or kitchen.
    • Nest Hub (2nd gen) ($100) — 7" screen. Photo frame, recipes, video calls.
    • Nest Hub Max ($229) — 10" screen + camera for video calls + face match.

    Privacy

    Google says it doesn't record until it hears "Hey Google". To erase what it's heard, say "Hey Google, delete what I said today" or open Google Home app → Settings → Activity. You can also turn off the mic with the switch on the back.

    Google Home Basics for Seniors | TekSure