Nest has been quiet for quite some time, but today it breaks that silence with multiple product announcements.
Alongside the launch of a new Nest Cam, there’s a completely redesigned second-gen Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that is apparently actually good at detecting fires, and a software update for the Nest Learning Thermostat that adds new features. There’s a new app too.
Nest Cam is basically an improved, and redesigned version of Dropcam (an acquisition Nest made last year) that offers higher quality (1080p) live streaming to your phone or computer. It delivers improved night vision, and a new Nest Aware with Video History feature -- pay a monthly fee and you can explore everything that happened in your home over the past 10 or 30 days (depending on your subscription choice).
Nest Cam users will also be able to stream content directly to YouTube Live.
The camera is available for purchase today with a suggested retail price of $199. It will begin shipping later this month.
Nest Protect, the company’s intelligent smoke detector, had some issues in the past, but has been entirely redesigned to make it better at detecting actual fires and avoiding false alarms. A new split-spectrum sensor uses two wavelengths of light to look for both fast- and slow-burning fires.
It’s been redesigned too, and is 11 percent smaller and sits flusher against the ceiling or wall. Nest has made it easier to install too.
The alarm can now be silenced using the new app, and the device comes with an (up to) 10 year product lifetime.
Nest Protect is available for purchase today for a suggested retail price of $99. It will begin shipping next month.
Nest Learning Thermostat gets a software update that gives it better integration with Nest Protect and safety temperature alerts. If your home gets too hot or cold you can get a notification on your phone -- so no more burst pipes in winter (in theory anyway). You can now control up to 20 thermostats in the app.
The software update will begin rolling out today and will take up to two weeks to reach everyone.
Nest app 5.0 for phones, tablets and computers has a new look and new features and for the first time lets you control all of your Nest products, including Nest Cam, from the one place. It’s available now in Google Play and Apple App Store.
"At Nest, we always wanted to build more than a thermostat," said Tony Fadell, Nest chief executive officer. "Our vision was to create a thoughtful home -- a home that takes care of itself and the people in it. Five years later, all the pieces are in place. We’ve built a portfolio of best-in-class products that each stand on their own while doing more together. More than 9,000 developer partners are using the Works with Nest developer program to help seamlessly integrate everything from washers and dryers to cars with our thermostat, smoke alarm and camera. And we’re working with energy and insurance partners to bring more value to our shared customers. Nest products are used in 190+ countries, across multiple platforms, and available wherever people shop. The result? Energy saved, lives spared, and countless memories recorded and shared".
Nest Cam and the second generation Nest Protect are available for purchase now at www.nest.com, as well as from a range of retail partners, including Amazon, Best Buy, Google Play, The Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target in the US. The Nest Aware with Video History subscription is available exclusively at www.nest.com or through the Nest app.
Nest Protect, Nest Cam and the Nest Aware with Video History subscription will also be available in the UK, France, Ireland, Netherlands Belgium, and Canada this summer. Let’s hope the European customer service has greatly improved from the dreadful shambles I experienced last year.
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