Google Home presence sensing tests using your media devices 

In addition to your phone, Nest smart devices, and Nest display/speakers, Google Home’s presence sensing feature, which aids Home & Away status and Routines, is now testing the ability to use “smart media devices.” 

Specifically, your “media devices can contribute to presence sensing with media status, such as when they detect media playback or when you turn them on or off.” This includes:

Smart speakers and displays

TVs (including Google streaming devices)

Game consoles

Streaming sticks and boxes

Note: If presence sensing has been turned on for smart speakers and displays, they will now also contribute to media activity.

Go to the Google Home app > Settings > Presence Sensing and you’ll find a new “Media Devices (experimental)” section at the bottom after phone, Speakers, and Displays. We’re seeing Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, and the Google TV Streamer appear on our end.

This is currently part of the Google Home Public Preview. Other features being tested include:

Google Home rolling out Admin and Member access levels

How to test Gemini in Google Assistant on Nest Mini, Audio

Google Home testing ‘Help me create’ for custom automations

More on Google Home:

Google Home APIs enter public developer beta on Android

Here are the new Google Assistant Gemini voices on Nest Mini [Video]

Google Nest and Home speakers suddenly stop working with basic commands for many

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