With Google Home and Google Home Mini, you not only do you have the world at your fingertips, but it is at the beck and call of your voice. Place the Google Home in your kitchen, living room or office. Charge its battery and take the compact Google Home on your next outdoor adventure. Great for music, organization, scheduling appointments, and so much more!
Does Google home have to stay plugged in? Google Home is the full-sized version, and it does require a standard 110-volt outlet for power. However, the Mini has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 8 hours. These devices require no monthly subscriptions or fees. But both the Google Home and the Google Home Mini do require a Wi-Fi connection to access most of its functions.
Also read: Does Google Home require a smartphone?
Curious to learn more about Google Home and Google Home Mini? Look no further; we’ve gathered plenty of helpful tips and facts for you!
Keeping the Google Home Powered Up
If you read your enclosed user’s manual, you will find that it is recommended to use only the provided power cord for your Google Home (or order a replacement through Google.)
Initially, you may think that your full-sized Google Home would be wireless with a chargeable battery because it does not have a cord attached. But this is not the case; there is no battery in Google Home. The port near the bottom is for the cord, which must be plugged into a standard outlet rather than a USB.
You don’t necessarily have to be in your home or office to get power to your Google Home, though. You can use a converter in the car, run it off of solar power with an inverter with a 110-volt outlet(s), or power it up by generator. There are plenty of wireless power options on the market; you just have to find one that works best for you.
Some specs:
The Google Home device is fairly lightweight at 1.5 pounds.
Dimensions: 3.8 x 5.6 x 5.6”
Does Google Home Mini Have a battery?
The Google Home Mini packs all the things we love about Google Home but in a compact size and 100% portable version! Win-Win! Now you can enjoy it on the go, camping, hiking, kayaking or on a picnic.
We all love a rechargeable battery. Especially one that lasts up to eight hours before you have to plug it into a power source! There is a slightly smaller speaker in the Google Home Mini since the unit is roughly about one-third of the size of the big guy. Not to worry, it’s plenty loud enough for personal use or with a small group.
You may not be tied down to the electrical outlet, but one thing you may want to consider is that with a portable version, instead of the home unit, you will not have your house Wi-Fi to connect to if you stray from the connection. So, if you intend to use it for more than a speaker for your phone, you will need to connect to a hotspot or find a public WiFi.
Some specs:
Made from plastic, fabric, and silicone makes it super lightweight at 6.1oz.
Dimensions:1.6 x 3.9 x 3.9″
Who is Google Home Best For?
Who is Google Home and Google Home Mini good for? Who isn’t it good for would be an easier question to answer. The benefits can be enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. If they have access to electricity and an internet connection, there is something for everyone with a gift like this.
There’s not one person alive that knows everything there is to know about everything, which is why Google search is so popular. We are so curious about the world around us, and an internet search is far easier than the old-fashioned method of pulling out an encyclopedia, going out to find the answer, or never knowing.
Google Home is very user-friendly. You do not have to be a computer expert to navigate your way around the system. It understands commands and questions. Users who cannot form a sentence will need assistance with that part but can otherwise reap the benefits.
Do you know someone that would enjoy a Google Home, but doesn’t speak English? Have no fear; the device now speaks eight languages:
- English
- Spanish
- Italian
- French
- German
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Korean
- Japanese
One exception to the ease of usability would be for someone who is deaf. A screen could be linked to convert the spoken word to text for these users, as a solution to this issue.
What Can Google Home Do For You?
Want to organize your life? Google Home can help you with keeping your calendar straight. Add your important dates, activities, and appointments to ensure you never miss another entry on your calendar!
Sick of looking for the remote control for your TV and surround sound system? Link devices to your Google Home and enjoy voice-activated control of turning channels, adjusting volume and turning the unit on/off.
Take complete control of your home or office with ease. The unit can be linked to your home’s:
- Lighting system
- HVAC
- Security system.
Feeling chilly? Ask Google Home to turn up the heat! Getting a bit too toasty in the room? Tell Google Home to adjust the AC or ceiling fan for you!
Get some answers to your most burning questions – or silly trivia. Anything that can be typed into a Google search engine can be asked and answered by Google Home or Google Home Mini. What is the weather like in London during the summer? How many ounces in a pound? News headlines? Consider it done.
Set the mood for dinner or dancing. Or cleaning or sleeping. There is literally a song out there that suits any mood. If you are throwing an intimate dinner party perhaps some light jazz or classical. Unless your party has a theme, in which case you can add another layer with music to match your theme. Get some z’s with relaxing soundscapes. It’s all accessible.
Google Home Fun
Google Home’s entertainment capabilities are endless. From educational activities to fun and games, Google Home will capture and keep your attention for hours.
Trivia buffs will love playing real or made up trivia games with Google Home/Mini. Pair up to form teams or play each player for themselves. Either way, a good time will be had by all.
- Name that tune! Ask your Google Home/Mini to shuffle the music it plays for a wild game with your friends of name that tune. If your group has enough energy, you can create a musical chairs game, and who doesn’t love a bit of musical chairs with friends?
- Say what! Who can come up with the funniest question to ask Google Home? And, who gets the funniest response from the device? This can be a very entertaining game to play with just about any group. Enjoy playing with friends of all ages. Or, tell Google Home to ask your group a question, perhaps it will be the funniest response of the night.
- Did you know that Google Home/Mini can tell jokes? Of course, it can! Is there anything that this device can’t do? One-liners aplenty, brush up on yours, and start spreading the joy wherever you go.
Target your jokes to a more specific genre by asking it to tell you a “dad” joke, which may get more snickers than belly laughs, but any laugh is better than none.
Treat Google Home like a friend and ask it questions like “what should I be for Halloween,” or “guess how old I am.” You’ll never be bored again when you have Google Home/Mini by your side.
Summing It Up
In short, there is very little your Google Home or Google Home Mini can’t help you with. And keeping either version powered up is easy. The convenience and fun of these gadgets are more accessible than ever.