Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Smart Home News

‘Hey Google, tell me something good’ filters out bad news on Home devices

By
Hey Google, Tell Me Something Good

Is continuously negative news bumming you out? Are you beginning to wonder if anything good is happening in the world? Just say ‘Hey Google, tell me something good,’ with any Google Assistant-enabled device for a curated summary of stories of people solving problems in the world.

Recommended Videos

Google announced the positive news feature today, August 22, on its Assistant blog.

Related: 
The 8 best TVs for gaming in 2025, as vetted by our experts

“These days we’re consuming more news than ever, and sometimes, it can feel like there are only problems out there,” wrote Ryan Burke, a creative producer with Google’s Creative Lab.

“But the fact is,” Ryan continued, “there is a plethora of ‘good news’ happening, and we’re not talking about unlikely animal friendships or random acts of kindness. Real people are making progress solving real issues — and hearing about those stories is a crucial part of a balanced media diet.”

Google sources the positive difference stories from the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN). The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focuses on publishing stories about how people can make the world a better place — the practice is called “solutions journalism.” SJN gathers and summaries articles from a large and diverse range of media sources.

“Solutions journalism empowers and energizes audiences, helping to combat negative news fatigue. It’s an important part of a balanced news diet, so we’re exploring how to incorporate more solutions journalism wherever you access Google News,”  Ryan wrote.

Google provided three recent examples of solutions journalism:

    • How Georgia State University doubled its graduation rate and eradicated gaps in achievement between black and white students.
    • How an East Detroit backyard beekeeper helped a dwindling bee population recover and boosted the local economy at the same time.
    • How Iceland used curfews and extracurricular activity enrollment coupons to stem a growing problem with teen drinking.

Google admits the ‘Tell me something good’ feature isn’t a panacea or magic bullet to eradicate bad behavior or bad news. However, as Ryan summarizes the new free service, “But it’s an experiment worth trying because it’s good info about good work that may bring some good to your day.” And it might bring some reassuring balance to our exposure to traditional news media, which is glutted with stories about problems.

Ask Google to ‘Tell me something good’ on your Google Home, Smart Display, or Assistant-enabled phone to hear positive news yourself.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown
Former Contributing Editor
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

How to remove a device from Google Home regardless of Wi-Fi network
nest-audio-lowes-listing

Once you’ve started building a smart home setup with Google Home, you might reach the point where you need to remove one of your devices from your Google account. It may be because you’ve replaced that device with a newer model and decided to sell the older one, or you might have set up the device and then decided to give it to a friend or family member. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips on removing a Google Home speaker or device from your Google account -- even if you're not on the same Wi-Fi network.
How do I remove a device from Google?

To remove any devices from your Google Home account, you’ll need to open Google Home and tap on the device you want to remove. This will bring you to the screen for that device. Near the top of the screen, you’ll see a Settings cog icon. Tap the cog icon to see a menu of options for that device. At the bottom of the list, tap Remove Device. Your device will be removed from Google Home. If you don’t see Remove Device, it may have been linked through a third-party app. Read on to see how to remove those types of devices.
Why can't I remove a device from my Google account?
If your device has been linked through a third-party app (SmartHome, Philips Hue, robot vacuums, Kasa, etc.), you’ll need to unlink it before you can delete it from Google Home. Open the Google Home app, scroll down to the device you wish to remove, and tap it. Near the top of the screen, you’ll see a Settings cog icon. Tap that icon, and you’ll enter a menu of options for that device. Near the bottom of the list, you should see Un-link and the name of third party app link. Tap that entry and a dialog box asking you to confirm will appear. You may also be able to access these settings by going into your vacuum's app (for example), seeking out Google settings, and unlinking from there.

Read more
How to use Device Speed Test on the Google Home app
Google Home icon on home screen.

So you've set up your Google Home, but you're experiencing slow speeds on connected devices. Lag on video streaming won't do, especially when that's the one job of devices like Chromecast. Smart displays should be able to handle your video calls. Luckily, the Google Home app includes a speed test that helps pinpoint the source of the Wi-Fi problem.

The Google Home speed test helps you see how quickly your smart home devices transmit and receive data. This test can help sort out problem areas and optimize mesh router placement. It's worth pointing out that this is only available to home networks using either the Google Wifi or Nest Wifi routers. Here's how it works.
How to run a device speed test in Google Home

Read more
The best Google Home smart plugs
The Eufy Smart Plug Mini connected to a kitchen outlet.

There are more devices that are smart these days than those that don't have an Internet of Things (IoT) designation. From heavy-duty appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers to smaller items like thermostats and door locks, these web-connected gadgets will often connect to your Wi-Fi without the need of a hub. They are designed to have companion mobile apps that let you manage and customize your equipment. But what about all the electronic appliances you have that aren't smart? That's where a smart plug comes in handy.

As the name suggests, smart plugs connect directly to an existing electrical outlet in your home, allowing you to automate whatever powered hardware you line into the plug. Ideal for "smartening up" gear like coffee makers, slow cookers, desk lamps, fans, and dehumidifiers, many of the best smart plugs have apps that allow you to create custom schedules to power on/off devices and energy-monitoring features for keeping tabs on your home's electricity consumption.

Read more