Google announced on Thursday, that it is partnering with KB Home – one of the largest home manufacturers in the country. This partnership is in an effort to make homes “smart” from the second they are built. Many people are buying houses and then having to outfit them with smart home and connected devices themselves. But with this new partnership, those that buy a new home built by KB Home, will get a Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google WiFi and a Nest Hello Doorbell included in their smart home. This will allow new homeowners to see who’s at the door whenever they aren’t home (or to lazy to get off the couch), but also get good WiFi coverage with Google WiFi and have Google Assistant available throughout the home.
In addition to offering those products, Google says that other smart appliances can be configured to be in the home before the time of purchase. So if you want a smart dishwasher from Whirlpool, or a smart microwave, that can be accommodated as well. This is actually smart on behalf of Google, as it’s going to get their products into even more homes, and it won’t even cost Google all that much. It’ll be interesting to see if the first homeowner will keep these products when they sell the house, or if they’ll be included for the new owner – perhaps Google gives a new set to the new owner.
Google also notes that this is only going to be available in select homes in select KB Home communities in Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Denver and Orange County. This is likely just a pilot program right now for Google, and as the service starts to expand, it’ll be available in more and more areas. Google says that KB Home shares its vision of making the home more efficient and smart, and its products are able to help KB Home fulfill that vision.