You Can Now Connect to All Bluetooth Speakers With Google Home

Google is finally bringing the ability to use all Bluetooth speakers with its Home line of smart speakers. The company previously required users to have a Chromecast streamer, but that’s no longer a requirement as Home speakers now work with all Bluetooth speakers.

Using the Google Home app, users can now pair their Home speaker with any Bluetooth speaker and then use Assistant to control music playback on the Bluetooth speakers as well. Google is also letting users use multi-room audio with the ability to group Bluetooth speakers which is pretty cool.

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“Now any of your Google Home devices can connect to other Bluetooth speakers so you can control your entertainment experience simply using the sound of your voice. Turn up the beats in the living room, listen to a podcast while you cook or finish a few chapters of your audiobook before bed—even in rooms that don’t have a Google device,” Google said in a blog post.

Support for Bluetooth speakers will be especially useful for Google’s low-end Home Mini speakers, but it’s also going to help its high-end speaker like the Home Max get an edge over Apple’s HomePad speaker which doesn’t support any sort of Bluetooth connectivity.

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Conversation 6 comments

  • Roncerr

    28 March, 2018 - 4:29 pm

    <p>I don't know about Apple Homepad but their Homepod Speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0. I would guess if it uses a Bluetooth standard, their audio system would work with other Bluetooth speakers as well, unless, it just refuses to connect with non Apple speakers.</p>

    • Jeffsters

      28 March, 2018 - 6:19 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#257280"><em>In reply to Roncerr:</em></a></blockquote><p>HomePod can’t be used&nbsp;as a regular Bluetooth speaker, even though it has Bluetooth 5.0, only AirPlay. While it's standard BT 5.0 it only uses Bluetooth for proximity information, which lets you bring your iPhone near during the setup process to transfer common settings to the device over the air. They may open BT up later, with the other promised features coming, but you can't right now. </p>

  • Jeffsters

    28 March, 2018 - 6:17 pm

    <p>Perhaps in a small home, with few obstructions this is fine, but I don't think the reality isn't going to align with the hype. I also question how they're addressing lag, especially with older versions of BT in a mix and match situation. Then again I suppose if you were doing this from the ground up you would by some high quality speakers like the stuff from Bose or JBL?</p>

  • BBoileau

    Premium Member
    29 March, 2018 - 9:33 am

    <p>This is the best thing ever and will put Google on top. I have several Bluetooth speakers that I use ad-hoc in different rooms. Being able to combine them has always been on my wish. Forget Apple, this will put Sonos out of the game and likely provide an edge over Amazon in the smart home game.</p>

  • phytio

    Premium Member
    29 March, 2018 - 10:10 am

    <p>This sounds awesome! Does it negate the need for a Chromecast Audio? </p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    29 March, 2018 - 5:02 pm

    <p>Obvious and clever. I've got a bt speaker already but it doesn't get used an awful lot as it's too fiddly for my wife to get it working with her phone (the speaker is paired to a few devices). With this I could get a Google home and let it down the work. We've already got Play Music so this should all *just work*. Neat! ☺ </p>

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