Daniel J SaitThe long wait for a new product from Nest is over as the company has just released details of six new products, the Nest Secure alarm system, Nest Hello video doorbell, Nest Cam IQ outdoor security camera, and corresponding software and services.
The new products are all part of the company’s new Nest Secure system, and include the Nest Guard, an all-in-one security base that provides the alarm, keypad and a motion sensor, along with voice feedback and the Nest Detect, a sensor that detects both motion and open or close movement in one compact, battery-powered product, so can be used for either function.
The pack also includes Nest Tag, a fob that can attach to a key-chain, allowing users to arm and disarm Nest Secure without a passcode. Extra Nest Tags can be shared with family members and trusted people who regularly enter the home.
Also in the range is the Nest Hello video doorbell, a direct competitor for the Ring ‘smart doorbell’ which combines the functionality of a Nest Cam with the convenience of a doorbell.
Lastly, the family offers the Nest Cam IQ outdoor security camera, an exterior security camera that protects homes with imaging, intelligence, is tamper resistant and weatherproof.
“Today, Nest is delivering on the next phase of our strategy to create the thoughtful home,” says Marwan Fawaz, chief executive officer of Nest. “We’ve had quite a year so far, expanding into 11 more countries, growing our product portfolio with the successful launches of Nest Cam IQ indoor and the Nest Thermostat E, and today we’re disrupting yet another product industry: home security. By building product experiences our customers love, Nest has experienced more than 60% growth on devices shipped in recent years and continues to expand to millions of homes around the world.”
As for opportunities to the trade, Invision UK is the distributor for the smart home sector and will according to the company be taking all the new lines, contact Invision direct for more details.
Nest’s approach
Nest sees the new products solving many of the functionality issues some of its earlier products did. “When we looked at the home security market, we saw a similar landscape to when we entered the thermostat market,” says Matt Rogers, Nest’s founder and chief product officer. “Just as people tend not to use programmable thermostats because of their complexity, the current home security offerings are also a huge pain to live with – whether it’s bulky hardware, false alarms or loud and stressful countdowns.
“That’s why 43° of people with alarm systems don’t ever arm them. We set out to design a product that isn’t just effective during a security incident, but is delightful and easy to use when people are at home with their families, living their lives, which is the vast majority of the time.”
The system provides different ways to arm and disarm: by tapping Nest Tag onto Nest Guard, through the Nest app, or by entering a code on the Nest Guard keypad. Customers have the option to add additional monitoring and deterrence by adding Nest Cams to their system, which are all controlled from the same Nest app.
Nest Detect sensors also provide the option to temporarily bypass the alarm on the way out, with the press of a button, thanks to a feature called Quiet Open.
If someone forgets to turn on the alarm, Nest sends a ‘Remind Me’ notification to arm it directly from the app.
Nest Guard also has battery backup and an optional cellular backup service – even if Wi-Fi is down or the power is out.
Set up is via a voice guide that doesn’t require tools, screws or wires, so the company underlines the speed with which Nest Pro installers can create a basic security system for clients looking for a keen price point.
For added security, Nest Hello can detect a person, then send an alert and a snapshot, even if that person doesn’t ring the bell. With Nest Aware, customers can get alerts when strangers or suspicious activity like people talking or dogs barking are detected.
Nest Hello customers can engage with guests and strangers at the door from anywhere and have a conversation with HD Talk and Listen. Echo suppression and ambient noise cancellation are in place to help if the door is located on a noisy street. A list of pre-recorded responses makes it easy to answer visitors with one tap from the app.
Nest Cam IQ outdoor is basically an enhanced version of the indoor one and is designed to deliver critical, actionable information via an alert – like spotting someone unfamiliar– so users know that the alert is important.
Nest is also offering the option to add Google Assistant to Nest Cam IQ indoor. The company says it’s the first security camera to have the Google Assistant built-in, and will be available via a free software update for all current and new customers this winter. The Google Assistant adds the ability to ask questions, control the home and manage tasks.
Yale Cooperation
Through the Works with Nest program, Nest has been working with partners to create integrations with its portfolio of new security products.
As previously announced, Nest has been working with Yale, which brings 175 years of expertise in locks, to build a modern take on a secure deadbolt. The new lock, as well as Nest’s own products, leverages both the Thread and Weave technologies to communicate with Nest Secure and other Nest products, even if the power is out or there’s no Internet connection. The Nest + Yale lock will be available early next year.
Customers can disarm the Nest Secure alarm system when they unlock the Nest + Yale lock, and they’ll be able to unlock the door when they notice a friend (or delivery person) through the Nest Hello video doorbell.
Nest will also launch a new accessory, called Nest Connect, that will ensure Nest Secure will work in large homes, as well as enable the Nest + Yale lock, and similar products, to connect to the Internet and be controllable via the Nest app.
And with Chamberlain’s MyQ-enabled garage door openers, users can get a notification if they’ve left their garage door open. Then they can close it from wherever they are with a tap on their phone.
The Works with Nest program, using technologies such as Thread and Weave, enables Nest products to work seamlessly with products from other manufacturers as a complete system.
Nest Hello will be available in the US and Canada in the first quarter of 2018, and Europe later next year.