Kiwis looking to make their homes smarter and more secure are being offered new options later this month as Google launches its next generation Nest Cams and Doorbells.
The new models include the internet giant’s first battery-powered camera that can be used indoors or outdoors and its first battery-powered doorbell.
The devices will go head-to-head with the likes of Amazon’s Ring doorbells and a multitude of security cameras available locally.
The Nest Doorbell can be wired or battery-powered and has a typical battery life of two and a half months, depending on how busy the doorway and environment is.
It can record 960×1280 pixel video at up to 30 frames per second (fps) and has both night vision and HDR capabilities.
Google says that allows you to see visitors head to toe and packages that are as close as 20cm from the door.
The Nest Cam, which has a weather-sealed design, can either be wired to permanent power or operated by a battery with around three-months of usage before recharging is required.
The camera records 16:9 1080p video at up to 30fps through a 130-degree field of view. Users will be able to zoom digitally in the Google Home app.
Unfortunately the solar power option isn’t going to be available in Aotearoa.
Google’s Nest home-security devices have created controversies, including hiding microphones in devices without disclosing them.
New Zealand customers should know all devices have speakers and microphones to allow for conversations without opening the door, but these can be turned off via the app.
All of the new models offer better in-device machine learning than previous versions and can detect people, animals, package deliveries and vehicles and provide specific alerts for those.
But Kiwis wanting to take advantage of the ‘familiar face’ functionality of the cameras and doorbells – which can give you a personalised alert when someone you know arrives at your home – will have to stump up for a subscription to Nest Aware on top of the cost of purchasing the devices.
It costs $9 per month or $90 per year and also gives 30 days of event video history.
“With the new Nest Cams and a display, you can keep an eye on the backyard from your kitchen and get alerts when the doorbell rings,” Matt Gaskell, Director devices and services for Australia and New Zealand wrote.
A camera with a floodlight, which won’t have a battery option, will be released at a later date.
Google’s latest Nest Cams and Doorbells will be released in New Zealand on August 25.
