Skip to main content

LG will provide free Google Home devices during October promotion

lg appliance free google home
Image used with permission by copyright holder
In order to update to a smarter home, everyday appliances need to become more connected. LG is well on its way to creating a convenient, future-ready home experience by releasing nearly 90 new smart appliances compatible with Google Assistant. In celebration of this new line of products, LG will offer free Google Home devices with participating purchases.

Running from October 8 to October 25, any purchase of a Wi-Fi-enabled LG appliance will come bundled with a Google Home device. This new line of smart products runs the gambit, including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, vacuums, air purifiers, and more. Available nationwide, this retail promotion is meant to bring the smart home experience to even more consumers.

Recommended Videos

With Google Assistant, smart LG appliances can now be enabled using simple voice commands. Through Google Home or a smartphone, users can check how much time is left on a wash cycle, make more ice in the fridge, turn off the oven, adjust the air conditioning, or even monitor the air quality. The only limit becomes any lack of Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

Making setup easier, all LG smart appliances use one centralized SmartThinQ app. After setting things up, the app begins to learn people’s usage patterns and helps predict their needs. The more an item is used, the smarter it gets. For example, LG smart appliances can learn to alert users when it’s time to order filter refills in the fridge or empty lint build-up in the dryer. In tandem with the Assistant on Google Home, voices can be distinguished between users, creating a more personal experience.

“At LG, we’re making smart simple so consumers can enjoy all the convenience today’s connected home can offer without the hassle,” says LG Electronics vice president of marketing David VanderWaal in a statement. “Gone are the days of constantly checking on your laundry cycles or wondering if the kids left the refrigerator door open.”

This isn’t the first time LG has partnered up with Google. The electronics company offered free Google Home devices during a similar promotion involving the LG G6 smartphone. For anyone not on the smart home bandwagon, LG is making it pretty easy to jump in.

Garrett Hulfish
Garrett is the kind of guy who tells you about all the tech you haven't heard of yet. He also knows too much about other…
Home Depot’s Hubspace is a great way to start building your smart home
The Hubspace app shown in front of a living room.

Building a smart home can be intimidating. Not only do you have to figure out which products are best for your needs, but you also need to set them up using an accompanying mobile app and sync them with the rest of your gadgets. It's all a bit confusing for smart home newcomers -- but Home Depot has largely streamlined the process with its Hubspace platform.

Billed as a "smart home platform that makes smart home products easy to set up and control," it sounds like a great fit for smart home newbies. And after going hands-on with a few products in its growing lineup, I can say it definitely hits all the right notes.
Streamlined and simple

Read more
Google rolls out new Nest Cam features to Google Home for web
Nest Cams on a counter.

While many users access Google Home on their smartphone or smart display, the platform is also available via web browser. The web-based Google Home experience wasn't exactly the best way to access your smart devices, but that's rapidly changing as Google rolls out new updates to the client -- the latest of which adds a ton of new ways to access your Nest Cams.

Google began rolling out the update late last week, and most users should now have access to the improved Google Home for web experience. The big draw is access to your Nest Cam history and the option to download clips. Prior to this update, it was impossible to view recorded clips via Google Home for web, forcing you to instead jump into the official Google Home app.

Read more
How to use the Google Home app on a computer
Google Home icon on home screen.

Google Home makes it easy to manage all your smart devices through your smartphone or tablet. Giving you access to your camera feeds, smart thermostat, smart lights, and more, Google Home is one of the most popular smart home platforms on the market. But while there's a lot to love about Google Home, it lacks full PC support. However, that's slowly starting to change – here's a look at how to use the Google Home app on your PC and control your devices from a larger display.
Can you use the Google Home app on a PC?
Google Home doesn't have a PC app, but it does have a website. Unfortunately, Google notes that Google Home for web is in Public Preview, meaning not all features are available and you may encounter glitches during use. The website is seeing constant updates, so there's a good chance it'll work just as well as the mobile apps in the future. Be sure to check it out regularly to see what's been added.

There are a few other workarounds you can implement to get Google Home on your PC. Read on to learn about the alternatives.
Use Google Home through your Chromebook

Read more