I would like to be able to talk to my cat at home whilst I am away on vacation, as one does. Substitute dog if you don’t have a cat.
So my cat is not responding well to training for being able to answer a Skype call or a telephone call. So, as a next best option, I was hoping that I can at least have a one-way conversation with him from my device by using our Google home as a remote speaker.
Does anyone know if this is possible and how to do it ?
Probably could if you Broadcast from your Google Assistant app on your phone, but what if your cat isn't in the same room as the Google Home Mini? Or your Wifi dies
Ok, I was also planning on having an IP camera inside so I can see if he is there.
One issue I found with those cheap IP cameras is that the output audio volume is very low. Google home is much louder and much better quality.
…use a Google home mini as a remote speaker to talk to my cat?
I understand what OP is asking, but the title reads so weird!
If someone asked that question to my face, it'd probably take me second to or two to understand what's going on!
As @kerfuffle mentions, you can just "broadcast" from your phone and it will play whatever you say through the speaker at home. Give it a try and see how it sounds.
Thanks for that-I will certainly look up how to broadcast to google home mini from my phone.
Yes this is possible, and I often startle my family by sending them voice messages when I'm away travelling.
The cat seems to ignore them, though…
Don't know if it is possible, but have you tried a similar communication (e.g. skype) to see if your cat responds?
If it doesn't, are you just talking to keep yourself happy?
Our dog can recognise a familiar voice on a video call but just freaks out because the person is not there, and chaos ensues. It's not really worth it for us.
That would be an interesting animal behaviour experiment. When I get google home broadcasting going I will see how the cat responds when he can’t see us at the same time!!
I think the issue with Skype is that that needs the cat to pick up the call…
Easy enough to broadcast from your Google Assistant to your speakers - whoever is at home (cat included) should hear it. You just say, hey Google, "Tell everyone…."
So that broadcast feature works from a remote location on the internet back to your google home at home then?
So that broadcast feature works from a remote location on the internet back to your google home at home then?
Yup. The actual recording of your voice is played back over all your Google Homes. You can do it from anywhere as long as your phone can connect to the internet.
To do it, just say "OK google, broadcast hereee kitty kitty meow meowww".
will remote speaker be enough? wouldn't it be better to have two way communication so the cat can talk back to you
Idealy possibly, but our cat is of the silent type, doesn’t talk much at all, even when hungry!!
tell the cat to stop being so antisocial and you won't give it any more treats if it doesn't talk more. you could also try finding out what things it likes to talk about. perhaps it is interested in quantum physics, or has an interest in archaeology.
Nah, probably more interested in things like cosmeowlogy or purrformance arts….
No offence, but the cat won't care or will just get confused. Get someone in to look after, feed and cuddle the cat.
There are a number of options out there, especially for dogs.
https://www.safewise.com/blog/8-pet-cameras-every-pet-owner-…
LMAO
Our cat responds to me playing cat noises remotely on the Google Home Mini, as well as my GS9+.
You could do something maybe using a Raspberry Pi?
I think that would just annoy, or frighten, the cat. It probably thinks someone else is in it's territory. What I want is a good remote control mouse with a little camera. Imagine being able to drive that around the house. We have a remote car drone but it is too big to be really effective with the cats - even when it drags a bit of string behind it.
Yes, I am a RPi user and could do that certainly, but was looking at an easier and faster option using existing infrastructure, i.e. Google Home.
As many have pointed out, the answer is in “broadcast” mode. May not be perfect, but all I need for now.
Thanks all-the power of crowd knowledge wins again.
Let us know how you go.
Just put the cat in a cattery while you are on holidays. S/he might enjoy their holiday too.
I've looked after cats for 30 years and I would NEVER put my cat in a cattery. Get someone to move in and keep the cat company. That way the house, and the cat, are well looked after.
Some cats are social and like Catterys. I've seen catterys where the cats interact with iPads and Apple products, it's good as long as they're kept on charge
The trouble is I’ve known people who picked up their cats and they have been very sick. Personally I think leaving a cat in its own home is best if you can get someone to move in. Not saying all cateries are bad but that home is best.
ITS entirely possible.
I am able to log into your google home remotely using some tech I developed..
Just call my number and you will be automatically patched through to your cat so you can tell him he’s been a goodbye boy and that everything will be okay
Meow
"Ok google, broadcast message"; "Basil, stop doing that to the couch, it's unnatural"
I'd also suggest using a video camera with two way microphone so you can both watch and listen to the cat ignore you.
LOL.
If you had Alexa instead of Google Home, you could use Alexa Calling to call the Alexa in your house, nice and easy. You can call from the alexa app on your phone, im pretty sure.
Buy yourself a Petcube (https://petcube.com/en-au/). It even has a laser which automatically -or manually- plays with the cat.
I've just checked the language listing on Google Home. It's not included.
Ok, I tried the suggestion of google broadcast-yes it “worked”, but the way it seems to work is that it does a voice recognition on what you are speaking and then convers it to text. It then broadcasts that text into speech. A bit cumbsy, it would be better if it just say created an mp3 file of your speech and then played it over google home.
Clumsy solution , but does work I guess.
A bit cumbsy, it would be better if it just say created an mp3 file of your speech and then played it over google home.
Strange, that's exactly how mine works. The recording of my actual voice is played back on the speakers.
Using Google Assistant, it should work remotely. I can speak over ours and tell everyone at home that I'm on my way.
I also use an app called Presence on my iPhone or iPad, to an old iPod, iPhone or iPad at home that is set up as a video camera. You can talk through it and see the response.
Cheap and easy to set up if you have old iOS devices sitting around.
I don't think it's possible.
On the other hand you can buy a desktop IP camera from flea bay for ~$35 & then you can see, hear & talk to your cat.