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google s new nest cams are designed Google has unveiled its latest lineup of Nest cameras and a new Nest Doorbell, marking a significant upgrade in home security technology.

google s new nest cams are designed

New Nest Cameras and Doorbell Overview

The third-generation wired Google Nest Indoor Cam is now available in a vibrant berry red, a color that complements the upcoming Google Home Speaker. This launch includes two new Nest Cams and a Nest Doorbell, all featuring 2K resolution for the first time in Google’s hardware lineup. The wired Nest Cam Indoor 2K is priced at $99.99, the Nest Cam Outdoor 2K at $149.99, and the wired Nest Doorbell 2K at $179.99. These products are designed to work seamlessly with Google’s AI-powered Gemini for Home platform, and they are available for purchase immediately.

While only the wired cameras are receiving a hardware refresh this week, Google has confirmed that all of its cameras, dating back to the original Nest Cam launched in 2015, will be compatible with the Gemini for Home platform. This compatibility underscores Google’s commitment to ensuring that existing customers can benefit from the latest advancements in AI technology.

Design and Build Quality

The new cameras maintain the design aesthetic of their predecessors but introduce fresh color options. The indoor camera is available in a striking berry red, while the outdoor model and doorbell come in a greeny-grey shade known as Hazel. Google has also improved the materials used in these cameras, employing a reformulated resin that enhances UV resistance, thereby reducing the likelihood of yellowing over time.

Enhanced Video Quality

One of the standout features of the new cameras is their support for 2K HDR video. This upgrade provides users with sharper images and improved clarity, which is particularly beneficial for monitoring home security. The cameras also feature a taller and wider field of view, allowing for better coverage of the monitored areas. The new sensor includes a wider aperture lens, enabling full-color video even in low-light conditions.

Additionally, the cameras are equipped with a 6x digital zoom that incorporates a new zoom-and-crop feature. This feature automatically focuses on whatever triggered an alert, whether it’s a person or a pet, and can remain zoomed in if the user prefers. The outdoor camera’s field of view has been expanded from 130 degrees to 152 degrees, while the doorbell now offers a 166-degree diagonal view, an increase from 145 degrees. The new 1:1 aspect ratio for the doorbell enhances the clarity of the video feed, making it easier to identify visitors.

Storage and Subscription Options

Google has also doubled its free video clip storage, extending the 10-second motion-activated recording feature from three hours to six. For users who require longer recording times, a subscription to Google Home Premium is necessary. This service, previously known as Nest Aware, starts at $10 per month and offers additional features for enhanced security management.

AI-Driven Intelligence

The integration of Gemini technology into the new cameras allows for smarter camera intelligence. The higher resolution and wider field of view enable the cameras to feed more data to the Gemini platform, which in turn enhances the AI capabilities of the devices. According to Google’s Anish Kattukaran, these cameras can now interpret and understand activities occurring in and around the home. Instead of generic alerts like “animal detected in living room,” users will receive more descriptive notifications, such as “dog jumps out of playpen.” This level of detail can significantly improve user experience and situational awareness.

Text descriptions, which were first introduced in Public Preview earlier this year, also contribute to a new feature called “Home Brief” in the Google Home App. This feature summarizes daily events in the user’s activity feed, potentially reducing the number of notifications generated by security cameras. Users can customize these summaries to prioritize alerts about pets or people over package deliveries, enhancing the relevance of the information received.

Compatibility with Existing Devices

Google has made it clear that all existing hardware manufactured since 2015 will support the new Gemini intelligence for cameras. This commitment to backward compatibility ensures that long-time customers can take advantage of the latest technology without needing to replace their existing devices. The following devices are compatible:

Nest Cam Indoor (2015)
Nest Cam Outdoor (2016)
Nest Cam IQ Indoor (2017)
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor (2017)
Nest Cam (battery) (2021)
Nest Cam (wired) (2021)
Nest Cam with Floodlight (2021)
Nest Cam Indoor (2K) (2025)
Nest Cam Outdoor (2K) (2025)
Walmart onn Indoor Camera Wired (2025)
Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen) (2018)
Nest Doorbell (battery) (2021)
Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) (2022)
Nest Doorbell (2K) (2025)
Walmart onn Video Doorbell Wired (2025)

Revamped Google Home App

In conjunction with the new hardware, the Google Home app is undergoing a significant redesign. After years of being perceived as fragmented and incomplete, the app now operates on a new architecture that brings support for all Nest devices from the Nest app. Kattukaran emphasizes that the new app is more stable, faster, and better equipped to incorporate new features quickly.

User Interface Improvements

The updated interface, which began rolling out on October 1st, streamlines navigation by reducing the number of tabs from five to three: Home, Activity, and Automations. Users can now swipe between views, and the automation editor has been enhanced to support one-time and conditional automations. This improvement makes it easier for users to customize their smart home experience.

At the top of the app, a new “Ask Home” chatbot provides access to Gemini via voice or text. Users can create automations using natural language, inquire about home events (e.g., “Did my water leak sensor get tripped?”), or search video footage (e.g., “Were there any skunks in the driveway last night?”). This feature enhances user interaction with the app and makes it more intuitive.

Subscription Plans and Pricing

Google’s subscription service is also undergoing a transformation. The new Google Home Premium subscription replaces Nest Aware, maintaining the same tiers and pricing while integrating Gemini features. The subscription options are as follows:

Google Home Premium Standard ($10 monthly/$100 annually): Includes all Nest Aware features (30 days of video history, Familiar Faces, garage door and package detection, smoke and CO listening), plus Gemini Live on compatible smart speakers/displays, natural language automation creation in the Home app, alerts with zoomed-in previews, and whole-home history.
Google Home Premium Advanced ($20 monthly/$200 annually): Adds “Ask Home” for video search, AI notifications and descriptions, Home Brief, 60 days of event history, and 24/7 video history.

These features are also bundled into Google’s separate AI subscription plans, Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra. The lower-end tier, Gemini AI Pro ($19.99), will include all the features from Home Premium Standard, with an option to add Advanced for an additional $10 per month. Subscribers to the $250 per month Ultra tier will receive Home Premium at no extra cost, making it an attractive option for heavy users of Google’s ecosystem.

Conclusion

Google’s latest Nest cameras and doorbell represent a significant advancement in home security technology, particularly with the integration of the Gemini AI platform. The enhanced video quality, smarter notifications, and improved user interface in the Google Home app collectively aim to provide a more intuitive and effective home monitoring experience. As Google continues to innovate, existing users can take comfort in the compatibility of their older devices, ensuring that they can benefit from the latest features without the need for a complete hardware overhaul.

Source: Original report