Control Google Home "works with google" (non-nest) devices with openhab / Google Home as Bridge

[hendrikst (Hendrik)]

Background:
Besides the Google Nest devices a lot of third-party devices are compatible with Google Home.
These non-nest devices are often marked with “Works with Google”.
Many of these devices seem not to have (or information is sometimes hard to find) protocols that make them directly compatible to openhab.
Since there seems to be no list e.g. “all devices reported to be compatible with openhab” I cant search starting there but I have to search shops e.g. Amazon and then check compatibility.

Question:
Can I see the “works with google” marker as a “works with openhab” marker by using Google Home as a Bridge? Similar to how I know that Google Nest devices will be compatible with openhab via the Nest Binding?
My ideas how this could work:
A) Nest binding could support not only nest devices but also works with google devices (do I need a hub device to use the binding?)
B) Custom scripts using a Google Home API (e.g. SDM)
Or do I really have to find for every interesting device the direct openhab compatibility information somehow (considering all protocols the device has and all openhab bindings)?

[rlkoshak (Rich Koshak)]

@hendrikst

A) Nest binding supports not only nest devices but also works with google devices (do I need a hub device to use the binding?)

Does it? The docs say it only supports Nest Cam, Nest Hello, Nest Protect, and Nest Thermostat.

@hendrikst

B) Custom scripts using a Google Home API (e.g. SDM)

Do you have example scripts of receiving data from and controlling devices through the SDM? My understanding from the devs is that the API does not allow access to third party devices synced to Google.

The Amazon Echo Control add-on does allow OH to interact with third party devices that are synced to Alexa. But the latency is awful and I’d expect the Google latency (when or if it ever becomes available) to be similar.

[rpwong (Russ)]

@hendrikst

Can I see the “works with google” marker as a “works with openhab” marker by using Google Home as a Bridge?

No.

@rlkoshak

@hendrikst

A) Nest binding supports not only nest devices but also works with google devices (do I need a hub device to use the binding?)

Does it? The docs say it only supports Nest Cam, Nest Hello, Nest Protect, and Nest Thermostat.

As Rich notes, the Nest Binding does not support Nest speakers and displays. I don’t think the Nest API exposes anything for speakers/displays (but I could be wrong about that).

@hendrikst

B) Custom scripts using a Google Home API (e.g. SDM)

I’m also not aware of third-party devices being exposed through the Nest API. Note that this could change due to the adoption of Matter, which leads to my next thought.

Google has a habit of changing everything without much warning, and there’s so much uncertainty both with Matter and Google Assistant that I wouldn’t rely on what works today to still work tomorrow. I use a lot of Google products, but I’m never surpised when they blow things up. So even if you could use the Nest API, you’d have to accept that it may lead to wasted effort and extreme frustration.

@hendrikst

Or do I really have to find for every interesting device the direct openhab compatibility information somehow (considering all protocols the device has and all openhab bindings)?

I think this is probably overwhelming to you right now, so I get why you’d want a list you can search. Unfortunately, it’s basically impossible to keep such a list up to date, and an outdated list can be even more frustrating than no list at all. Let’s try to make it a little simpler.

We usually suggest that newcomers start by searching the community for devices you’re interested in (e.g. locks, light switches, sensors) and then asking if you don’t find anything. You’ll find that we’re quick to jump in with suggestions based on current knowledge. We just like people to search first, because many questions have already been answered.

If you want to stick with WiFi, then I personally recommend TP-Link Kasa devices for ease of use and affordability. You’ll also see discussions about Tuya devices, which you’ll often find on Amazon using random brand names. If a product listing says that the device works with the “Smart Life” or “Tuya” apps over WiFi, then there’s a good chance it’ll work with the unofficial SmarthomeJ Tuya binding. “Unofficial” means that you have to add it to openHAB manually, but that’s super easy.

Some Tuya devices can be flashed with an open-source firmware called Tasmota, but that’s not always the case.

Others recommend Sonoff WiFi devices, which can also be flashed with Tasmota or used with a binding that’s still in development. I don’t have personal experience with these devices.

Many of us use Z-Wave/Zigbee for battery-powered sensors (temperature, door/window, water leak, etc.), because they’re low-power devices (WiFi is not). These can be a little trickier to set up, but there’s lots of past discussion about them and lots of help available.