I got a Google Home gadget (you talk at it and get verbal answers) as a gift for Christmas.

Does anybody know if the thing will work with Slackware (specifically) or do I have to get a tablet or smart phone or some other dang thing for it to be useful? It appears to be Linux but I haven't been able to find anything at Google that's useful. Don't have (or want) a tablet, don't have (or want) a smart phone, just want to know.

Thanks.

Hello,

I am not using Google Home (it was unavailable when I wanted to buy it), but from my understanding, it is an independent device, that is setup by itself. It has a speaker, to play music and answer questions and a mic to listen to requests. From what I know, it only needs to connect with devices and services, if you wish to do specific things.. To watch a movie, it needs to connect to a tv, to listen to music, it needs to connect to a Google Play / Google Music Account, etc.

The device uses a wifi connection, if I remember right, so I am fairly sure you could administer it through a Linux Laptop or Machine, once it is in your network. A list of all devices and services supported, is found on the website. There are however only devices and professional services such as YouTube and Netflix listed, no operating systems.

If you wanted to be sure, you could try having a live chat with Google. I did that not too long ago for something else and support was quite good and fairly quick.

I got one of these too, but here in Europe we call these a "girlfriend".

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lol... I can imagine why that would be.

In America, those "girlfriend" devices are normally more unsolicited output than response-based.

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LOL That one made my day... I suppose you are very right though... which makes look your Google Home Gadget a fairly decent - and more cooperative - alternative...

It works without ANY sort of computer at all, just needs an Internet connection. I have one, going to get others for around the house...controls our lights (with a Samsung Smartthings bridge), and can work with your home thermostat too (which we don't have/want). That said....you at least need to borrow a smart phone/tablet to get the thing set up initially (unfortunately). It sets itself up as a temporary wifi hotspot for the Home App (IOS or Android), and does all the configuration through that, including hooking up to your home wifi.

Once it's set up, you don't strictly NEED the app...but it does make things much easier later on.

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Can an UNactivated Android SmartPhone be used to access it?
(wifi only; no cell service. An old cheapie 4.x $0-throw-away for example)

I think OP means: Can I use Linux? (my Slackware, to startup_config/control it)
Or (is Linux 'UNusable' [here], and) *MUST* one 'get' an Android/iOS (smartphone/tablet)?

[written as both a 'TrollJoke' and bemoan of proprietary:]
I'm guessing: Yes:
Linux is 'UNusable' [here]; FakeNews:GoogleKillsLinux! But hoping there's a way....

p.s. this web-search returns [literally] NOthing!: "Google Home gadget" intitle:linux
And maybe not-coincidentally, all Micro$oft (&Macs?) are 'UNusable [here]' too

Does it send what it hears to Google? News topic:
Can an Amazon Echo Testify Against You? A murder trial in Arkansas ...
http://gadget-cover.com/blog/amazon-echo-vs-google-home

So, the first thing I did was read the instructions, got a little confused about some downloading and an application and went uh-oh, now what -- when something says "download," it make me think hook up to a web site, get and install some software, use the software to talk to the gadget and all that sort of thing.

Today's project: turn on the wi-fi (I don't normally use wi-fi for anything in the house; everything is Ethernet), see what happens and, hopefully, say "OK Google" and get an answer. Don't actually have any Internet-of-Things (except maybe the toaster which I'm really suspicious of what it's doing).

Who knew it would be plug-n-play?

Thank you for the information, I'll go borrow a buddy's smart phone and, if I can figure out how to use it...

Off topic, I'm just a little paranoid about home devices like this after seeing Ex Machina and the way Nathan was.