Pixel Tablet's Hub Mode hits a snag with Google Assistant voice commands

It’s a scene familiar to many: You’re cozily seated, perhaps enjoying a cup of coffee, when you decide to dim the lights or tweak the thermostat using just your voice. However, for some Pixel Tablet users, this effortless convenience has recently hit a roadblock in Hub Mode.

Over the past few days, an issue has cropped up where Google Assistant struggles with smart home commands when the Pixel Tablet is in Hub Mode. This glitch has left users unable to control their smart devices with voice commands, much to their frustration.

Google Assistant still responds to general inquiries like “What’s the weather?” without a hitch. However, when it comes to smart home commands — such as turning lights on or off — the Assistant acknowledges the command but then stumbles. Users are met with a rather unhelpful message: “Let me get some more information so I can help you with that.” This is followed by a gray screen for a few seconds before the device returns to the screen saver, leaving the lights stubbornly unaltered.

Curiously, this problem doesn’t persist if you unlock your Pixel Tablet before issuing the command. So, while the workaround exists, it somewhat defeats the purpose of having hands-free assistance — one of the major selling points of the Hub Mode.

Interestingly, this issue seems to be exclusive to the Pixel Tablet. My other Google devices continue to handle smart home commands with their usual efficiency, even with Home Controls on the lock screen working as expected. So, it’s clearly a case of Pixel Tablet Hub Mode throwing a tantrum while the rest of the Google Assistant family remains well-behaved.

Luckily, Google Support took to Reddit to acknowledge the issue. They assured users that the engineering team is aware of the problem and is actively working on a fix. The support team promised to keep users updated on the progress.

For now, Pixel Tablet users must either unlock their device to issue commands or wait for Google to roll out a fix. While it’s a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, it’s still needs a quick fix. Until then, it might be back to good old-fashioned switch-flipping or, heaven forbid, using an app to control your smart homes.