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Google One may soon include Nest Aware
Meanwhile, Nest Aware is getting more expensive internationally
Google One was initially mostly a way to get more storage across Google services, but the company has slowly but surely built its subscription out to include more features. It now offers a VPN, Google Photos editing tools, rebates on hardware products, and, most recently, access to Gemini Advanced. It looks like Google is on track to add Nest Aware to its one subscription to rule them all.
What is Nest Aware, and do you need it to use Nest cameras?
You might not need it, but you'll certainly want it
After Google acquired Nest, it grew the brand into a complete smart home ecosystem. This allowed it to become one of the market leaders, making some of the best thermostats, smart speakers, Wi-Fi routers, and intelligent security cameras. When it comes to the latter, Nest offers a range of indoor and outdoor cameras, including a wired indoor-only model, a wireless indoor/outdoor model, both a wired doorbell and a wireless doorbell, and an outdoor camera with a floodlight.
Google Nest Aware gets a $20 per year price hike
New customers will start paying right away, while existing customers will see the price change on their next bill
Sure, you could get a traditional security system with big locks and barbed wire fences. But why not make things easier on yourself and get a smart home security system? You can control it all from your phone, and it's way more effective than traditional security measures with AI-powered alerts and smart detection features. A few companies have been at the forefront of smart home security, including Google, which introduced the Nest Aware subscription plan in 2019. That service has stayed flat at $6 per month ever since, but that's changing now with a price increase that brings the basic plan to $8 per month or $80 annually.
Nest cameras are finally fixing one of their most glaring issues
Activity zones, smart alerts, and 3hrs of video events come for free
Google has just unveiled a whole new generation of Nest Cams for nearly every room in your home, with a series of hardware and software improvements. Chief among these are three enhancements that make these cams usable without the Aware subscription.
Google is now pushing its subscription services on its hardware store
One place to subscribe to them all
Google is an advertising business first and foremost, though over the last few years, the company has introduced many paid services: YouTube Premium, Google One, Fi, and Stadia Pro come to mind, among many others. There's never been a central hub where you could find Google's subscription offers, but that's now a thing of the past: You can see all of the company's paid services in one place on the Google Store.
Google confirms glass break detection erroneously rolled out to users without Nest Aware subscriptions
No free security for you
A few weeks ago, news broke that some people were complaining about their Home devices hearing everyday sounds. That phrasing was a bit misleading — Google devices were exclusively listening for breaking glass and smoke alarms and notifying users when they recognized either of these, and no privacy was breached. This warning notification is actually a feature only supposed to be available for Nest Aware subscribers, Google's paid home security service. As it turns out, the rollout to other users was unintentional and is no longer available.
Google is teaming up with security provider ADT to better promote its Nest smart displays and security cameras. In a 0 million deal that gives the big G around 6.6% of ADT's stock (with some caveats), ADT customers will get access to Google's Nest Aware subscription service, and ADT will be able to sell and install Nest gadgets.
Google offers free Nest Hub for Nest Aware subscribers, redemption codes are now working
Offer is valid through July 31st
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Google has an interesting history of giving away copious numbers of its Assistant-powered smart speakers. For example, you've probably received one or more Home Minis if you're a subscriber to YouTube Premium (and again), Google One, Spotify, or Google Fi, just to name a few. Now they're raising the stakes by offering a free Nest Hub to some Nest Aware subscribers.
Google's revamped Nest Aware subscriptions roll out this week
Starting at $6 for all your cameras, but no 24/7 history
It's been a while since we got any new Nest products, but Google did promise improved subscription plans last year. Now, those plans are finally rolling out. In the coming days, Nest users will be able to migrate to the new Aware plans, which start at $6 per month for all your cameras.
Guard your deliveries with a Nest Hello doorbell, only $180 for Costco members ($40 off, plus 6 months Nest Aware)
Ding-dong, savings calling
The Nest Hello doorbell debuted almost 2 years ago, and our review of it was a rave. If you're in the market for a new doorbell, you're in luck: Costco has the Nest Hello — including a 6-month subscription to Nest Aware — on sale for $180, $40 off the standard price.
When Google announced its revamped Nest Aware subscriptions yesterday during Made by Google 2019, it also demonstrated one rather unexpected addition that turns ordinary smoke and CO detectors into smart ones. Nest speakers and displays will be able to listen for alarms and alert you when they hear one go off while you're out and about.
Google Home and Nest have been growing together ever since the company started merging the two brands, most evident by the option to move your Nest account over to Google. With this in mind, the company has teased a forthcoming addition to the Home app for Nest Aware subscribers: A Home Feed will show you all notifications and events from your Nest devices in an organized fashion.
One of the few surprises of yesterday's Made by Google event was the announcement of overhauled Nest Aware subscriptions, slated for early 2020. They'll include all Nest devices you own and utilize Nest speakers and displays as ears listening for smoke or CO alarms. All new plans will also have emergency calling, which allows you to dial 911 right from your smart home devices or route a call away from home to your residence's local emergency dispatcher.
During this year's Made by Google event, the company walked through the plethora of Nest Aware changes relatively quickly, but now more information is surfacing on the revamped subscription service. One of the biggest changes is the removal of 24/7 videotaping which is replaced by event-based recordings in the cheaper $6/month plan.
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Google hasn't only presented new hardware during the Made by Google event this year. It also took the stage to announce substantial changes to Nest subscriptions. There are two tiers now: 'Nest Aware' and 'Nest Aware Plus' going for $6 and $12 respectively, coming early 2020 to the same locations the current subscription is available in.
Remember the Nest Cam IQ that came out earlier this year? The new Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is pretty much that but, as the name suggests, for outdoor use. You get the same specs, including a 4K sensor with a 130-degree FoV and Night Vision, plus the same facial recognition tech, all in a more rugged outdoor-oriented package. You can preorder it now for $349, and it'll ship this November.
We posted some details of Nest's upcoming 4K camera last week, and now it's official. The Nest Cam IQ isn't just a tweaked version of the old camera, it introduces completely new features to the Nest lineup. The video is sharper, the software is smarter, and it's more expensive. That last part might not be your favorite, but $299 (or $498 for 2) is what it'll cost you to get this device.
While there might be lots of changes afoot in Nest behind closed doors, the company is continuing to push its products and release improvements to make them more desirable and try to be profitable for its parent Alphabet. Today brings a lot of news from Nest, both in terms of new products and new features.First, Nest Thermostat is getting 3 new color variations with new materials. There's a white one, which Nest isn't too eager to describe. Then a black color with carbon coating containing pure silicon, carbon, and titanium, which makes it resistant to scratches and oily fingers. And finally a copper one forged with steel for durability and style. You can grab these color variants from the Nest Store.