During an event this morning in San Francisco, Google-owned Nest announced updates to its entire product line: the Nest thermostat, Nest Protect, and Dropcam, which is now going to be called Nest Cam. The company also unveiled a new version of its mobile app that ties all three together.
All of the updates are incremental in nature, so if you already have one of Nest’s existing products there’s no huge reason to run out and grab a replacement. If you’ve been holding out on buying one of the devices, however, then now might be a good time to pick one up. Here’s a look at the updates:
Nest Thermostat
The Nest thermostat is exactly the same from a hardware perspective, but Nest is rolling out a software update to existing customers that brings a bit more functionality to the device. Namely, the thermostat now has an emergency fan shutoff if it detects smoke in the home, and it can send you temperature alerts. So, for instance, you could get an alert on your phone if your house got too hot or cold during the day, for a pup you left at home.
Nest Protect
Nest has completely redesigned Nest Protect. A new smoke chamber helps the smoke detector differentiate between things like steam and dust and smoke, for fewer false alarms. The chamber is also designed to keep bugs out, something that can cause other smoke alarms to go off.
If the alarm does go off unexpectedly, you can now turn it off using the Nest app. To make sure it’s always up and running, the smoke detector tests its batteries, sensors and Wi-Fi regularly. It also performs a sound check once a month at a time it thinks you might not be at home, to make sure everything is in order should you ever actually have an issue. It's expected to last 10 years before it will need to be replaced. The 2nd generation Protect starts shipping next month and will be priced at US$99.
Nest Cam
Nest has rebranded Dropcam as "Nest Cam" and unveiled a new look for the device. The most noticeable difference between the two cameras is in the stand. The Nest Cam has a much thinner stand, which also make the camera a bit more versatile when it comes to mounting it. A new magnetic base makes it possible to put it places like the side of your fridge.
The camera has improved night vision, and video quality has been upped from 720p to 1080p. You can also differentiate different zones in your home, that you'd like to pay particular attention to. For instance, you could get a motion alert when someone opens the door or set an alert for something more specific, say an off-limits couch, so you know when Fido is breaking the rules. The new version of the camera will start shipping next week, and will be priced at $199.
