Google has completed the Fuchsia OS rollout for the Nest Hub Max. The company started seeding the new operating system to the 2019 smart display model in June. The initial release was limited to a small group of users enrolled in the Preview Program. But Google quickly picked up the pace and within two months, it has updated all Nest Hub Max units around the world to the Fuchsia OS.
Fuchsia replaces the Linux-based Cast OS that the Nest Hub Max shipped out of the box. It doesn’t change the UI or functionality of the device much. As 9to5Google notes, the only notable user-facing change is the introduction of a Bluetooth menu in Settings. It lists all the devices that you previously paired your Nest Hub Max with. You can also pair new devices from here or use the Hub Max as a Bluetooth speaker. These capabilities did not exist with the Cast OS. You are required to set up Bluetooth connections for your Nest Hub Max from the Google Home app.
The Nest smart display is also gaining a shortcut for “Search” on the app launcher. This is the 17th shortcut for the device. The rest of the functionality is unchanged, so much so that the OS switch may go unnoticed by many. You can check if you have received Fuchsia OS by heading over to System settings > About device. The device should be running Fuchsia version 6.20211109.1.3166243.
Fuchsia OS will make its way into more Nest Hub models in the future
Fuchsia is a new operating system that Google has been working on for the past several years. The development was rather slow initially, at least from what was known to the public. But the project started gaining traction last year, amid reports that companies like Samsung are helping with the development.
In August last year, Fuchsia OS rolled out to the first-gen Nest Hub (originally Google Home Hub), which also shipped with Cast OS out of the box. It was the first-ever real-world product that the new OS powered. Google then updated the Nest Hub Max to Fuchsia. And it seemingly isn’t stopping there. The Nest Hub (2nd gen) will also reportedly get this OS switch.
Google is simultaneously working on improving the platform too. The next major update for Fuchsia (version F7) will drop the Nest Hub Max’s ability to work as a bridge and range extender to prepare for the Matter over Thread standard. We expect more improvements for Fuchsia as Google rolls it out to more devices.
2022-08-25 15:09:01