Microphone in the new Nest Guard

No one realized Google's new Nest Guard home security device has a built-in microphone.

Earlier this month, the company announced Google Assistant would roll out to Nest Guard so users can ask it for information like the weather or traffic conditions. The post indicated the gadget has a microphone, this was not made clear to users.

Users shared their concerns over Google not being completely transparent about the microphone on social media.

"The on-device microphone was never intended to be a secret and should have been listed in the tech specs. That was an error on our part," said a Google spokesperson. The microphone isn't automatically enabled and can only be activated if users turn on the option. A Google spokesperson had indicated it was included on the device so it could potentially offer users additional features to come, such as the ability to detect broken glass during a break in. "Security systems often include microphones to provide features that rely on sound sensing," said the spokesperson.