Google is expanding its Nest lineup in a big way, launching three new security cameras and a video doorbell to further cement itself in the smart home market. If these gadgets look familiar, that's because Google accidentally leaked them on the Google Store just a couple of days earlier. The unannounced products mistakenly appeared on the website and were quickly removed, but not before they were discovered and reported on by tech bloggers across the internet.
Even before Google purchased it in 2015, Nest had established itself as a driving force for the smart home — primarily thanks to its popular Nest Thermostat. The thermostat can be installed in just about any home, controlled remotely from an app, and has features to help folks save money on their energy bill. Following the thermostat's success and Nest being under Google ownership, the Nest brand has since launched smart security cameras, smart displays, smart speakers, and even smart Wi-Fi routers. If there's a type of smart home product, chances are Nest is involved.
Google now has four new pieces of Nest hardware for folks to check out, the first of which is the Nest Doorbell (battery). Unlike the current Nest Doorbell that requires a wired connection, this new model runs off a rechargeable battery pack. It's taller and wider than the wired version, comes in an assortment of colors, and features an IP54 rating for protection against rain, wind, and other outdoor elements. The built-in camera records 1280 x 960 HD video at 30FPS and has a 145-degree FoV. Video features include HDR support, night vision, and an assortment of intelligent alerts that can distinguish between a person, animal, package, and more. It's available for pre-order right now for $179.99, making it a tight competitor with the Ring Video Doorbell 4.
Then there are the three new Nest Cams. Let's start with the Nest Cam (battery), which will likely be the most popular of the bunch. It has a more capable camera than the Nest Doorbell, touting 1080p recording, a wider 16:9 aspect ratio, and HDR support. There are LED lights to illuminate an area up to 20 feet, an IP54 rating makes it suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and it also has built-in smarts to know the difference between a pet and a delivery person. It costs the same at $179.99, with Google touting anywhere between 1.5 and 7 months of battery life depending on how many events the camera detects per day.
The Nest Cam with floodlight is virtually identical to the above Nest Cam, but there are a couple of key differences. As the name suggests, either side of the camera is paired with two large floodlights — making it an ideal accessory for a front door or another area that gets a lot of activity. That extra power does mean it requires a wired connection to work, but that's a small price to pay for the added functionality. Google also has the Nest Cam (wired), which is designed exclusively for indoor use.
The Nest Cam (battery) is available for pre-order right now, but Nest Cam floodlight and Nest Cam (wired) availability info has yet to be revealed. When they do eventually launch, the Nest Cam floodlight will retail for $279.99, while the Nest Cam (wired) will go for $99.99. These may not be massive upgrades to the previous series of Nest cameras and doorbells, but it shows Google is still committed to taking the smart home seriously. Plus, with many of these new releases undercutting their Ring alternatives, that might kick Amazon in the butt to be more aggressive with its pricing going forward.
Source: Google
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