Google Health Set to Take Over Sleep Tracking on Nest Hub
Google has been working on integrating its various health services under the Google Health umbrella, and the second-generation Nest Hub is the next step in this transition. Since launch, Sleep Sensing on the 2nd-gen Nest Hub has only worked with Google Fit. With that app going away, Nest Hub sleep tracking will join Google Health. The device uses a Soli radar sensor to monitor a user's movement and breathing while they sleep. This allows it to track key metrics like sleep stages, bedtime, and breathing rate. The Nest Hub also has a microphone that detects sounds such as coughing and snoring. Additional sensors keep track of changes in light and room temperature, contributing to a more comprehensive picture of sleep conditions. (Google frustratingly never made that sensor available in the Home app for general usage.) All data is processed locally and does not leave the Nest Hub.
According to recent updates in the Google Home app, the smart display will now explain how sleep tracking data will be sent to Google Health once the device detects the user is in bed. The updated wording replaces previous references to Google Fit, suggesting the transition is still in the planning phase and not yet fully implemented. However, this change aligns with Google's broader strategy to centralize its health data. The company has been careful to ensure that the processing of sleep data remains local, so sensitive information does not leave the device. Strings in Google Home 4.23 for Android today detail “How your Nest Hub works with Google Health.” Basically, Google has updated the strings to replace mentions of Google Fit with Google Health.
The Nest Hub's shift from Google Fit to Google Health reflects Google's continued effort to simplify access to its health-related tools and services. By consolidating health data into one platform, the company is making it easier for users to manage and understand their wellness metrics. These updates were first noticed by 9to5Google in the latest version of the Google Home app, where the new language outlines how Google Health will take over the data flow from the Nest Hub. As with other health features, users will have some control over what data is shared with other services connected to Google Health. With the launch of Google Health, the company said it would “consolidate [its] health and fitness offerings.” Specifically, Google Fit users will be able to migrate data to the Health app “later this year.” When the second-generation Nest Hub launched in 2021, Google said sleep tracking would eventually be a paid feature as part of Fitbit Premium. The company kept pushing back that integration, and it’s highly unlikely it will start charging for it now.