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The Google Home smart speaker was released in the US on November 4, 2016, and in the UK on April 6, 2017. In October 2016, the iOS and Android mobile app used to initially set up Google Home and Google's other streaming devices was renamed from "Google Cast" to "Google Home", leaving Google Cast as the name solely of the protocol that "sends" audio/video content to play back on another device. Google Home was officially announced at the company's developer conference in May 2016, where it was also announced that Home would run the Google Assistant (a conversational evolution of Google Now intended to be integrated in other products announced at the conference as well). In March 2016, reports were published about Google developing a wireless speaker to compete against the Amazon Echo. In May 2019, Google announced that Google Home devices would be rebranded under the Google Nest banner, and it unveiled the Nest Hub Max, a larger smart display. In October 2018, the company released the Google Home Hub, a smart speaker with a 7-inch touchscreen. In October 2017, Google announced two additions to the product lineup, the miniature puck-shaped Google Home Mini and a larger Google Home Max. The original Google Home speaker released in November 2016 featured a cylindrical shape with colored status LEDs on top. In May 2017, Google announced multiple updates, including: hands-free phone calling at no cost in Canada and the United States proactive reminders ahead of scheduled events visual responses on mobile devices or Chromecast-enabled televisions Bluetooth audio streaming and the ability to add reminders and calendar appointments. An update in April 2017 brought multi-user support, allowing the device to distinguish between up to six people by voice. For example, multiple speakers can be set up for synchronized playback of music. Through software updates to Google Nest devices and Google Assistant, additional functionality has been added over time. The first device, Google Home, was released in the United States in November 2016 subsequent product releases have occurred globally since 2017. Google Nest devices also have integrated support for home automation, letting users control smart home appliances with their voice command. Both in-house and third-party services are integrated, allowing users to listen to music, control playback of videos or photos, or receive news updates entirely by voice. The devices enable users to speak voice commands to interact with services through Google Assistant, the company's virtual assistant. Google Nest, previously named Google Home, is a line of smart speakers developed by Google under the Google Nest brand. Voice commands, limited physical touch surface Several products released under the original Google Home name: Google Home, Google Home Hub, and Google Home Mini
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