Simply retrofit AirPlay for Google Nest

It’s been 4 years since the first smart loudspeaker from Google found its way into my apartment. The entry into the smart home was done, so it’s no wonder that four more devices with Google Assistant followed. This was not a problem with an Android smartphone, thanks to Google Cast, content could be transferred quickly and easily to any device. But what do you do if you are now an iPhone user and use services such as Apple Podcast or Apple Music?

The solution that first springs to mind for many is to switch to the HomePod or any other speaker that officially supports AirPlay. But why throw away or sell fully functional Google devices when they are still working flawlessly? This is probably what Starling thought too, and with the Home Hub has created a way to easily retrofit AirPlay for Google Nest devices.

Before we start: Starling made the hub available to us free of charge, but that did not determine the opinion in this report.

it can be so easy

When we take the Starling Home Hub out of the box, we notice a small piece of paper with the installation instructions. Small because such a short description is actually enough to get the hub up and running. The Starling Home Hub is connected to the power supply via micro USB and to the router via LAN cable. Then you go to the manufacturer’s website with your iPhone.

Once there, you will be guided step-by-step through the facility. First, the hub is identified and connected to your Google account so that it can access your Nest devices. Then you connect your Apple Home account with Starling so that you can also control the smart home devices from your iPhone. This is done by scanning the code on the back of the device.

Once done, the setup wizard searches for an update and carries it out (if available) directly. And that’s it, the Google Nest devices are available for AirPlay. The time required is just 5–10 minutes.

Select the device and off you go

If you are now in Apple Podcast or Apple Music, you can simply select the AirPlay icon and see the Google Nest devices in the overview. Once you click on the required loudspeaker, the Home Hub acts as a gateway and establishes a connection to the loudspeaker via your Google account. This takes slightly longer than with official AirPlay devices, but usually works within 3–5 seconds.

The sound quality is the same as with other loudspeakers, the special process does not lead to losses or other problems with playback. Skipping or pausing music, for example, takes slightly longer than using an AirPlay speaker directly.

Only Google devices work

As powerful as the Starling Home Hub is, the device still has one weakness: playback is only possible on Google Nest devices. I also have a Smart Display from Lenovo, but it is not listed in the AirPlay overview.

Nevertheless, smart displays are also supported, but ultimately only those from Google. A full overview can be found in the official Manufacturer’s FAQs. It is noticeable here that thermostats and cameras from Google’s product line are also supported. These can then also be controlled via Apple Home, but these devices were not part of this test report.

No official certification

Finally, let’s take another look at the topic of security. Since neither Google nor Apple want to support the integration of their devices into the other ecosystem, Starling is not officially supported or certified. This also makes the warning that the iPhone displays during setup immediately visible.

Therefore, use it with caution. You grant Starling extensive access to your smart home infrastructure when you use it, and control always takes place via the Internet. It is therefore questionable what could happen if the manufacturer was ever the victim of an attack. Personally, I would recommend the hub at least as a temporary solution.

Sensible solution at a low price

Is the Starling Home Hub a sensible solution? Yes, that is him. You can buy the device for just about 76 euros the official website of the manufacturer and use your Nest devices meaningfully even after switching to the Apple universe.

So if your current Google devices work without any problems and you still don’t see the point in switching, then I can give you a recommendation for the Starling Home Hub.