Can you cite where Google says that the mute switch is a hardware kill switch for the mics? I've only read where they say that it doesn't listen but never that it physically disables the mics which means it's done in software and the device could be "muted" and still able to listen.
Unless the mute switch is a physical disconnect for the microphones then it's no different than the Alexa's mute button.
And don't forget Google's Nest Secure contains/ed undisclosed microphones and not physical mute button and Google wanted you to trust that it is/was disabled.
If I google "Google Nest Home Mute Hardware disconnect" for example, none of the results on the first page state it is a hardware disconnect.
The support.google.com links all use vague language that never explicitly says there's a hardware disconnect. Just that the mute switch causes the microphones to be disabled.
Interestingly the last result on first page is this: https://store.google.com/magazine/google_nest_privacy#ada2d2...
And it's claims are known to be false.
> Your device will only send audio to Google if we detect that you or someone in your home is interacting with your Assistant
So I'm genuinely curious where all this information about the mute switch being a physical disconnect for the mics exists.
That was more of a joke, are you sure they are off?
I'm sure someone has or is testing that the hardware mute button works.
I'm not against Nest/Google. I was always sporting Google T-Shirts and hats back in the day, telling everyone to use it and recommending their products.
I'm just not sure on this product.