The Nest Audio is Google’s flagship smart speaker, and generally pretty popular judging by reviews and the company’s overall speaker sales. But it also launched in 2020, so it’s virtually guaranteed that we’ll see an update within the next year, if not by the end of 2022 — Google can’t stay complacent when Amazon is continually updating its Echo lineup, and Apple is likely working on new HomePods.
There are many ways Google might consider upgrading a Nest Audio 2. Here’s our own wishlist.
Matter and Thread support
Credit: Nanoleaf
This one is pretty much guaranteed, but desirable anyway. You can learn more about Matter below — in short though, it’s an upcoming network protocol that will allow devices to work across all major smart home platforms. On top of this Matter devices can connect to each other in a mesh, reducing the need for a hub or even internet access. Some Matter-compatible devices are already on the market, just waiting for the standard to go live in fall 2022.
Matter and Thread are all but certain.
Matter can technically operate over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, yet it’s ideally meant to be combined with Thread. Thread is a Zigbee-based mesh protocol that allows compatible accessories to act as a low-power “border routers.” It’s already in a variety of devices, like Nanoleaf bulbs and Eve motion sensors.
Read more: The Matter smart home protocol and why it’s a big deal