Google recently launched two new smart home devices: a new security camera (Nest Cam) and a video intercom (Nest Doorbell) . The two extend a catalog of products that the brand has been building little by little in recent years. What do these products offer again?
First of all, both have a battery inside, which provides extra versatility compared to other options. In the installation process, therefore, it is not essential to have a nearby outlet. If you want, however, also it is possible to connect both products to the electrical current permanently using accessories that are sold separately.
The installation process is extremely simple and fast:
At the software level, the entire process is done from the Google Home application and with little difficulty. As they are devices from the same company, it is not necessary to be connecting the app to third-party accounts -as it happens with other home products-. On a physical level, the Google Nest Cam can be simply supported on a surface that we choose (either with the “magnetic plate” that comes with the camera, or with the additional support base that can be purchased), or it can be attached to the wall by screwing the included bracket. As for the Nest Doorbell, it will be necessary yes or yes to make two small holes in the wall. Once installed, we can see what happens in our home through both devices from the Google Home application. Depending on the quality of the connection, it may take a while to start streaming, but once it does, the picture is smooth. The two devices can also record in the dark thanks to infrared LEDs.
Both the Nest Cam and the Nest Doorbell intelligently detect events around them and, if necessary, momentarily record what's happening and notify household members. Specifically, they can identify the movement of people, animals or even vehicles. In the case of the Nest Doorbell , it also identifies packages and can recognize familiar faces.
The devices have, in addition to the camera, a speaker and a microphone, so that we can listen and interact with whoever is on the other side of the door through the smartphone whether we are at home or anywhere in the world. In the Nest Doorbell, in addition, we can leave predefined messages to give quick responses such as “we're not home” or “wait a minute, I'm coming”.
On the Nest Cam, on the other hand, you can designate an “activity zone.” This is very useful in case the camera's field of view covers, for example, a common access area. In this way, we will avoid receiving alerts every time a neighbor passes by.
On the outside, both devices are quite minimalist. They can be purchased in different colors to match your décor and blend in perfectly with most homes. This design line seems like a great success for Google, especially considering that these devices are inevitably in sight.
What about privacy? What if the power or internet connection to the Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell goes out?
According to Google, the entire event identification process now occurs locally. That is to say: the analysis of the images does not take place on the company's servers, but on the device itself. That is probably a relief to all those people who, concerned about their privacy, reject the idea of Google remotely analyzing images from their home.
In the event of a power outage or internet connection, the two devices can remain in operation thanks to their battery and record the events locally to later transmit them to the cloud.
In this aspect, Google marks a great point in favor of the user. Nest Doorbells and Nest Cams allow the last three hours of events to be stored on company servers for free. An option that in many other brands is only available with subscription services.
You can, of course, hire Nest Aware, which increases the video event history from three hours, to thirty or sixty days (depending on the plan you choose). If Nest Aware Plus is contracted, in addition, Google's servers store everything that happens, 24 hours a day, up to a maximum of 10 days. That is to say: with the Plus variant, not only the relevant events that it detects are stored, but all the material captured by the camera. For the latter, of course, it is essential that the camera is permanently connected to the electrical network.
Both devices can be purchased from today, August 24, at a price of € 199.99 for the Google Nest Cam and € 99.99 for the Google Nest Doorbell. They are available in the Google store.
