One of the worst things about smarthome hardware is the installation process. Some Assistant-compatible devices are nearly plug-and-play, while others require third-party integration with linked services and a lengthy, complicated setup. In 2019, Google added a feature called “seamless installation” that makes the process a lot easier, although more than a year later, only a handful of things support it. But in the future, smart home gadgets with the feature will get a badge on the box to make them easier to spot.
While Google is inconsistent when it comes to using capital letters for the feature name, devices compatible with Seamless Setup will get a modified version of the existing ‘works with Hey Google’ badge that replaces ‘works with the Google Assistant’ , even after rebranding away from “Works with Nest” – all three name changes only happened in the last year and a half, if you can believe it.
The new badge
The new Seamless Setup badge indicates that the product can be set up in it with nothing but the Google Home app itself. That means there is no need to install any third party apps or link services for it to work. Just like setting up a Nest Mini, it only takes a few taps to connect to the device and tell Google where it is.
To date, we know only a few third-party products that support seamless installation. GE’s C-Life bulbs have the feature, as does Xiaomi’s new Yeelight Smart LED Bulb M2. Google’s list of Seamless Setup brand partners at the moment is very small.
Between this and the new automated troubleshooting tools for Nest devices, Google seems to understand that the smart home ecosystem can be quite difficult to manage. Hopefully more manufacturers are jumping on the Seamless Setup train now that consumers can be trained to recognize better products through this new badge.
