Are the Media Controls in the app

[JWillRVA]

When playing media from a music streaming source to one or multiple speakers, is there a way to control the source (volume, pause/play, skip/repeat, song selection, etc) through the Google Home app? 

I found is bizarre that there is no obvious way to control any of the music being played throughout my home. I’m evaluating the Google Nest suite of products for my home and without a way to control media I don’t think this will be an acceptable option. 

Just about every home automation controller that offers multi room audio has a way to control it without using voice commands. Is there no way to remotely change any of the settings for a speaker or group of speakers built into the software?!

[Jmcmaddy]

Use the phone or tablet volume control. 

[JWillRVA]

Not sure you really read/understand the issue. Firstly the phones volume control doesn’t control volume for the device. The only place I’ve found to do that is under the device window but that’s still device specific and not for the group and a whole. This also doesn’t resolve the inability to select playlists, skip songs, change what speakers are playing as part or the group etc. 

All other controller have this ability. Sonos, Alexa, and others have this as a readily available and easily accessible feature. 

[manders]

Yes there is. Should appear near the bottom of the app if the music is currently playing (under camera previews) or you can click the group and control it there. 

Click the preview and controls will pop up. 

[JWillRVA]

Not for me… got a screenshot? Any options I need to enable? I’m currently playing music on a speaker group across multiple devices with no ability to control what’s playing in the app.

[manders]

I don’t believe you need to enable anything. Should just appear below all cameras if the device is currently playing. 

I can’t upload screenshots. Says I don’t have permission? 

[JWillRVA]

Link to an example of the audio controls in the home app from the internet?

[manders]

Hahaha please ignore my choice of content. But you can see in Photo 1, the media I am playing shows at the bottom with a play/pause button and Casting option. In Photo 2, I clicked the content and the media controls then appear. If I was streaming a group of devices, then it would show all the devices together. Screenshots 

[JWillRVA]

That’s wild. It’s not there for me and has never been there. I use Apple Music as a source. Maybe that means that I can’t control anything about what’s playing!? Also, in my app if I pull up the group I’m currently playing music on it shows that nothing is playing.

 

 

 

[manders · Accepted solution]

So I have both. Apple Music and YouTube Music. I just changed my music to come from Apple and not YouTube and tested it. You can see my screenshots below. I think you are right. Because you are using Apple Music.. you cannot control it. When I use YouTube Music.. I am able to. I am sure because YouTube is now Google. (Looks like I met guidelines to screen shot now lol)

 

[JWillRVA]

Bizarre. So they allow you to “connect” your services but there’s just 0 functionality. Do they think people will abandon their preferred platform for theirs? Hard no, I’m more likely to abandon the Nest platform for their lack of functionality than switch services. 

[manders]

Yeah I agree. I didn't realize how locked in they want you to be. I just learned this along with you. I thankfully enjoy YouTube Music and I watch YouTube all day long (my main source of content honestly) So paying for YouTube ad free and receiving YouTube Music for the price is a win for me. 

I also invested so much into the camera ecosystem already. But I do hate that a company would force you to lock in for 100% functionality. But honestly any company is that way. I hated Airpods so I grabbed the Samsung ones but I cannot take full control of transparency mode ect. and all the perks due to having an iPhone.