It's getting harder to recommend Google hardware when I know it might not exist in 5 years

I remember installing my Nest Guard and the feeling that my home was finally smart. It sat there every day doing its job until Google pulled the plug on Nest Secure with a backend update.

Over the years, I've reviewed consumer technology, and I've seen my share of sunsets. Usually, it's a niche app or social network. We used to joke about the Google Graveyard — RIP Google Reader, Inbox, and Allo.

But hardware is different. Losing an app is one thing. It's another to look at something bolted to your wall and realize it's now dead plastic that doesn't do anything.

Google, however, still treats hardware like a software beta test. If the growth chart doesn't meet Google's expectations, the company shuts it down and moves on.

That's why I can no longer, in good conscience, tell my readers to spend hundreds of dollars on Google hardware.

Google's software mindset fails when applied to hardware

The fundamental problem is that Google is a software company trying to play hardware manufacturer.

In the software world, "move fast and break things" is the mantra. If an app doesn't take off, you delete the code and move the engineers to a new project.

But hardware demands a longer attention span. When you sell someone a smart thermostat, you are entering into a long-term relationship with their home.

You are promising to be there for at least a decade. Google loses interest fast, and if it isn't as big as Chrome or Android in a few years, it's on the chopping block.

The Jamboard cost thousands of dollars and lost its value overnight

If you think losing a $500 security system is bad, imagine being the IT administrator who convinced a school board to spend $5,000 on a Google Jamboard.

The Jamboard was a 55-inch 4K touchscreen whiteboard, designed to sit at the center of meetings and lessons.

Jamboard officially reached end of life on December 31, 2024, and the cloud services that made it smart were shut down.

Stadia is a reminder that even good hardware can die

I actually liked Stadia. The technology was one of the best versions of cloud gaming. Unfortunately, Google couldn't wait for the market to mature. The company didn't have the stomach for the decade-long grind it takes to build a gaming brand like Xbox or PlayStation.

To give Google credit, when Stadia shut down in early 2023, Google issued refunds for Stadia purchases. It was a nice gesture to salvage some trust.

But, the harm had already been done. Even when Google makes something good, like Stadia, it gets killed if it doesn't grow fast enough.

Writing a review feels like a gamble with Google devices

This brings me to my personal crisis as a writer.

When I sit down to review a product like the Pixel Tablet or a new Nest Hub, I have to judge it based on what it does today. Is the screen bright? Is the speaker loud? Is the interface snappy?

However, a review is also a recommendation for the future. I am telling you to spend $500 of your hard-earned money today with the expectation that you will still be using this device in five years.

With Google, I can't guarantee that. I can't even guarantee that the features you love today will be there tomorrow, as we are currently seeing with the smart home.

Google is obsessed with Gemini, and to make room for it, they are systematically sabotaging Google Assistant.

The only light in this dark tunnel seems to be the Pixel series with seven years of software and security updates. I'm a skeptic. We've been through this before with the Nexus line.

It was the pure Android experience for six years. Then Google got bored, killed Nexus, and launched Pixel. What happens when Google decides it wants to switch to a Gemini Phone?

How to buy Google devices without regret

First, never buy a Google product for a promised future. There is a high probability that upcoming features will either be delayed or canceled entirely.

Second, if you are buying smart home gear, buy Matter-compatible devices. Matter is an industry standard that allows devices from different brands to work together.

If you buy a Matter-compatible light or sensor, it can survive a Google shutdown by moving to Apple or Amazon.

Third, before you buy a Google product, accept that the software interface will change at least three times during your ownership. Google has a restless spirit.

Google will move buttons, hide settings, and swap assistants whether you like it or not.

If you want stability, buy Apple. If you want the cutting edge and don't mind the occasional bleeding, go with Google.