Google Faces Backlash After Changing White Noise Ambient Sound

pcmag.com:

Whether you prefer working to the tune of a crackling fireplace or need ocean sounds to fall asleep, Google Assistant offers a selection of soothing white noise to help you achieve slumber, or at least, it did.

The company appears to have changed its "white noise" sound, according to 9to5Google—much to the chagrin of regular users.

Folks began noticing the change on Wednesday, complaining that the chords were suddenly "much quieter" and "muffled," looping every 10 to 30 minutes instead of every hour.

"I thought I had clogged ears or something," one user wrote in the Google Nest Community forum. "I even tried a few different devices in my home before we found out it was an upgrade from Google. My toddler has noticed the sound change and now wakes during the night. Please revert back to the original noise," they urged. "It was so much nicer."

Google Assistant comes with a variety of ambient noises, including a handful of nature sounds, the hum of oscillating fans, and synthetic white noise. Simply say "Hey Google," then "help me relax" or "play river sounds" for hours of soothing audio. But last week's update—complete with a quieter track with a noticeable break between loops—has exhausted adults and children reeling. Between the Nest Community page and Reddit, the issue has racked up hundreds of comments in less than a week.

"I play it every night for my toddler and she's really upset about this change and obviously doesn't understand it," according to a Canadian user. "Please, let there be a way to get the older version back so we can maintain our sleep schedule and sanity."

Someone handily shared the original sound to Google Drive, allowing the most desperate of users to take matters into their own hands by uploading