Teaching google nest mini!

[Bill Door]

Sorry for brevity, using phone.

If you set both SSIDs to "Banana", then the 2.4 only devices will automatically join the 2.4 banana only, likewise with 5ghz only devices, will only join the 5ghz version of Banana. They will be incapable of joining the wrong one, and modern 5ghz devices will join whichever is fastest*

So they will be separate, in terms of getting devices to have internet, but will be together in terms of "being in the same wifi", which is essential for things like Spotify via Google home to work.

Such services that require all client devices to be on the same network, will suddenly start working properly.

ISP should not advise to keep separate any more. Maybe 5+ years ago, but things have changed. Devices are smarter now.

* 2.4 GHz might have lower bandwidth, but can maintain it over a greater range than 5ghz. A smartphone might join 2.4 by choice when distant from router.

5ghz and related standard only matter if you are transferring files between devices over wifi. It cannot improve internet as the internet connection is a much slower bottleneck than 2.4ghz wifi.

 

[Chud]

Sorry for brevity, using phone.

If you set both SSIDs to "Banana", then the 2.4 only devices will automatically join the 2.4 banana only, likewise with 5ghz only devices, will only join the 5ghz version of Banana. They will be incapable of joining the wrong one, and modern 5ghz devices will join whichever is fastest*

So they will be separate, in terms of getting devices to have internet, but will be together in terms of "being in the same wifi", which is essential for things like Spotify via Google home to work.

Such services that require all client devices to be on the same network, will suddenly start working properly.

ISP should not advise to keep separate any more. Maybe 5+ years ago, but things have changed. Devices are smarter now.

* 2.4 GHz might have lower bandwidth, but can maintain it over a greater range than 5ghz. A smartphone might join 2.4 by choice when distant from router.

5ghz and related standard only matter if you are transferring files between devices over wifi. It cannot improve internet as the internet connection is a much slower bottleneck than 2.4ghz wifi.

This!

 

[ericmark]

My router was set by the provider and has one access code, I did have a repeater, however the TV boxes do that anyway so not required, not looked to see if you can set Nest Mini up with multi access points, but since all have same codes anyway rather pointless.

I have found a problem with bluetooth and laptop, if I use the Nest Mini as a speaker for the laptop when I boot laptop it auto switches off anything I am listening to, but the work around is easy enough, don't use it on bluetooth, however asking it to do something which it does not do, one wonders oh dear what has it done.

It's like a young child, and I remember my mother sending my young sister in to turn off cooker, and the fire when instead she turned on the eye level grill which mother had placed cloths on. No arm chair banking or any details on my PC so limited to switching heating up/down, sockets on/off, or lights on/off, or TV on/off.

But I am learning to duck when I say to wife, I don't know how to do that yet. I remember at school being told make up a set of instructions to tell a computer to make a cup of tea, and the teacher pointing out steps missed, then we got a teasmaid and I realised it is not as hard as teacher made out, did not need to tell it lift up kettle and move 9" to left, the teapot was already in place. What it did forget was make sure the lid is on the kettle or it will warp the plastic cover. Wonder if I can get a new one?

 

[Bill Door]

The Bluetooth on google mini / home etc is intended to allow it to improve audio by being able to connect more bluetooth speakers to the mini speaker.

Just like wires, bluetooth doesn't care what sort of connection you make over it, and so of course it won't complain if you connect an audio source to the google mini via bluetooth instead of via wifi. But, it'll be a sub-optimal experience.


Talking of adding speakers, it's a shame google stopped making the Chromecast Audio, which converts any existing sound system into an integrated smart speaker:
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/chromecast-audio-1187-commercial.html

With 3.5mm jack and IR, it really is a superb piece of kit.

 

[ericmark]

Since both the Nest Mini and its big brother can be paired to form a stereo system I can see why it would not continue to make any system competing with its new products. I have tried using the Chromecast with a HDMI plug, yes it works, but you need a phone or some thing to actually tell it what to do.

We were told if we got Chromecast then the Nest Mini would control the TV, my wife thought this was a great idea, so we got one with the Nest Mini's. However it will turn the TV on and show a selection of pictures on my facebox, but asking it to show BBC 2 does not work, not surprising really as it would need to connect to the Sky Q box to do that, not the TV.

So now on the craft room TV so wife can use it with her phone to watch craft videos, and radio 4 etc. However the whole idea of the Nest Mini was bought so we did not need to have a TV on to listen to radio.

 

[Bill Door]

...a repeater, however the TV boxes do that anyway.....

I missed this.

I would eliminate repeaters. They mess with your network purity as they bridge connections (mess with IP Addresses) and filter ports. People are desperate for more connectivity without adding wires, and big corporations sell snake oil and magic fairy dust on the promise you can keep swiping. But the moment you try and do anything more than surf via an app, they just introduce problems. TVs that promise to boost your wifi, etc. Just because they can, doesn't mean you should

To extend a WiFi signal, choose only a "Access Point" or "AP" (aka "Wireless Access Point" or "WAP"). But avoid extenders, repeaters, boosters. Reading the box they all seem to do the same job, but only an Access Point can reuse the same SSID or WiFi name. But it's not just about the name, there is extra hardware and firmware in there that makes all the different re connection purity. Not sure which box you're using, but if it offers an AP mode, that would be OK


(forgive brevity, using phone)

 

[ericmark]

Could not eliminate repeaters if I wanted to, all part of Sky Q.

 

[Chud]

Could not eliminate repeaters if I wanted to, all part of Sky Q.

They're not repeaters AFAIK - they form a MESH wifi network with the Q hub which is different from a repeater etc that you'd buy from PC world etc.