What you need to know
In a significant move towards unifying its smart home ecosystem, Google has launched a public preview of the Home app that now includes support for the Nest Cam IQ models from 2017. This update effectively consolidates all Nest cameras released since 2015 into a single, user-friendly platform.
The transition from the Nest app to the Home app is designed to enhance user experience by providing a centralized location for managing Nest cameras. Users can now access essential features such as video history and camera settings seamlessly within the Home app, rendering the older Nest app largely obsolete.
Among the advanced functionalities available in this public preview are:
- Quick access to live streams via the Favorites tab.
- Automation capabilities that allow Nest cameras to sync with smart lights.
- The ability to view camera feeds directly on devices like the Pixel Watch 3 or Google TV Streamer.
The rollout of this feature began in late 2023, with Google implementing a phased approach to migrate Nest cameras to the Home app. Users interested in joining the Public Preview program can do so either through the Home app or by visiting home.google.com. For those already participating, prompts will guide them through the process of transitioning their Nest cameras.
While the rollout is set to commence this week, Google has assured users that they can revert their Nest Cam IQ indoor and outdoor cameras back to the Nest app if they wish. However, it’s worth noting that the Nest Hub Max does not offer the same flexibility; once it is moved to the Home app, there is no option to return it to the Nest app.
It is important to mention that the Supersight close-up tracking feature from the Nest Cam IQ is not yet available in the Home app. Google has indicated plans to integrate the best features from the Nest app, but the timeline for this enhancement remains uncertain. Users will be keenly awaiting further updates on this front as they embrace the new capabilities offered by the Home app.
