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Nest reminds owners to secure their cameras after creepy scares
In recent weeks, there's been a number of fairly alarming reports coming from Nest users about cameras being taken over by "hackers" who use their access to broadcast potentially terrifying messages (or even asking Alexa speakers to play Justin Bieber). The more tech-savvy among us may recognize that this isn't a security failure on Nest's part, but rather tricksters finding that they're able to log in to strangers' Nest accounts with usernames and passwords that have been gathered and distributed around the internet. It turns out these stories have gained enough traction for Nest to address the issue: Nest VP Rishi Chandra sent an email to users today to reiterate that the company's devices have not been hacked and that there are some simple tips they can take to increase security. Foremost among those is turning on two-step verification and, of course, using a strong and unique password for your Nest account.
Nest's $229 video doorbell is a useful addition to its ecosystem
Last September, Nest introduced several products to its connected home lineup: the Nest Secure home security system, the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor and the Nest Hello video doorbell. While both the Secure and the IQ outdoor cam have been out for a few months, the Hello had not come to market yet. That is, until now. Both the Hello and the previously-announced Nest x Yale Lock are now officially available for $229 and $249 respectively. Oh, and Nest is introducing something today as well: the Nest Temperature Sensor.
T-Mobile can keep Nest Secure online if your WiFi fails
In September, Nest released its Secure alarm system, complete with motion and door sensors and an app that lets you manage the system from anywhere. But arming the alarm through your phone or receiving alerts that motion has been detected in your home requires the Nest system to be actively connected to WiFi. If your internet service goes down or your home network stops working, however, you won't get those alerts or be able to access your system through Nest's app. That's why Nest has worked cellular backup into the Secure system and T-Mobile announced today that it's the exclusive cellular provider for Nest Secure.
Nest’s overpriced IQ camera highlights the faults of facial recognition
Nest burst onto the scene with a thermostat that was easy to use, had a slick interface, came with actual smart features and didn't look like someone just taped an off-white box to your wall. It followed that up with a less exciting but possibly more important smoke-and-carbon-monoxide detector. Then instead of building its own camera, it bought Dropcam, changed the name, added some cloud features and tada, the Nest Cam.
The best wireless outdoor home security camera
By Rachel Cericola This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After spending almost three months looking, listening, adjusting angles, and deleting over 10,000 push notifications and emails, we've decided that the Netgear Arlo Pro is the best DIY outdoor Wi-Fi home security camera you can get. Like the other eight units we tested, the Arlo Pro lets you keep an eye on your property and provides smartphone alerts whenever there's motion. However, it's one of the few options with built-in rechargeable batteries to make it completely wireless, so it's easy to place and move. It also delivers an excellent image, clear two-way audio, practical smart-home integration, and seven days of free cloud storage.
Nest’s new camera is smart enough to know who’s who
After acquiring Dropcam back in 2014, Nest waited another year to launch its own home monitoring camera. It wasn't much of an improvement over the old Dropcam Pro, and aside from releasing an outdoor version with weatherproof body, Nest has focused on improving its software ever since. But now the smart home company is back with a second-gen connected camera -- the Nest Cam IQ -- which features serious upgrades in the hardware department and an inflated price tag to match.
Nest’s next camera might be 4K, but not for streaming
It's been almost a year since Nest has released a new product and rumors are starting to trickle out that the one-time connected home darling is on the verge of a new release. As Android Police claims, Nest is launching a new, higher-resolution WiFi security camera sometime later this month.
Nest security cameras can be knocked out via Bluetooth
Your connected security camera might not be as trustworthy a defense as you think. Security researcher Jason Doyle has published details of three vulnerabilities in the Nest Cam, Dropcam and Dropcam Pro that lets an attacker disable their recording over Bluetooth. Two of them, which rely on sending excessively long WiFi data, will trigger a memory overflow that makes the camera crash and reboot. The third exploit tricks the camera into temporarily disconnecting from WiFi by making it try to connect to another network.
Nest Cams can automatically detect your doors
Nest is improving both its apps and its camera smarts. An update to both iOS and Android apps (if your phones and tablets are on the latest versions) focuses on notifications, with Nest Aware subscribers getting the bulk of the benefits. Over the next few weeks, Aware customers will see automatic door detection appear on both their indoor and outdoor Nest Cam feeds. The cameras will attempt to recognize motion patterns over time, feeding the data into deep learning algorithms to make it all automated, automatically creating "activity zones" around doors it picks up. The cameras can then send you notifications when there's movement in that area. You'll also be able to redraw activity zones if your camera detects something different -- or if there's multiple doors.
Nest makes finding security camera highlights easier
The great thing about having a camera trained on your home 24 hours a day is that you can see the exact moment something exciting (or terrible like a break in) happens. The worst part is that you have to scan through all that footage to find the instant something occurs. Nest is updating its app to make finding relevant events easier to see. But, it'll probably cost you.
Nest launches its first outdoor camera
While speculation about the future of the Nest is at an all time high since its founder and former CEO Tony Fadell departed in June, the company is still adding new products to its line. Well not so much new. The Nest Cam Outdoor has the same guts as its indoor counterpart, but in a weatherproof case.
Nest is reportedly working on an outdoor security camera
In a letter to employees posted by The Verge yesterday, new Nest CEO Marwan Fawaz reassured employees that the company wasn't for sale and stated that the focus should be on delivering new products currently in the works. Although a specific reference to a new gadget was redacted in the letter, Tech Insider reports that one of the new items mentioned is an outdoor version of the Nest Cam.
Cop accused of peeping on breastfeeding mom via iPhone app
Remote video capture is cool technology, but in the wrong hands it's ripe for abuse -- especially if the wrong people end up with your device-linked smartphone. A lawsuit filed on Tuesday accused a police officer from Hazel Park, MI allegedly of using a confiscated iPhone to watch a nude mother breastfeed her infant child.
Nest devices get better at knowing when you're home
If you're a Nest owner, you've probably experienced the company's thermostat flipping itself to Away mode while you were still home. Most likely, that's because someone didn't walk past the motion sensor on the tech in a timely fashion. Thankfully, Nest announced two new features that will improve the the gadgets' ability to tell when someone's home. First, there's a new Home/Away Assist that uses your phone's location in addition to the motion sensors and software algorithms inside the household gear.
Chamberlain's garage door app now works with your Nest Cam
Things disappear out of garages. Especially when you accidentally leave them open. Chamberlain and LiftMaster's garage solutions not only open and close that giant door with the MyQ app, they also tell you when it's been left open. For even more peace of mind, the Chamberlain group announced today that its app is getting support for the Nest Cam. Now owners not only know when the door is ajar, but have instant access to video via the app.
Nest is now selling its home surveillance cameras in discounted three-packs
If you're looking to create a low-level surveillance state within your own home, Nest has a bundle deal for you. Beginning this weekend, Nest will sell its WiFi camera in a three-pack for $497. That's $100 off if you were to purchase the Nest Cams individually for $199. So you can either outfit your house with multiple cameras or give them out as gifts while saving yourself some cash. The bundle is available online at Nest.com, Amazon and Apple.com and in brick and mortar Best Buys and Home Depots.
Kodak has a new surveillance camera to compete with Nest Cam
Google's Nest Cam, previously known as Dropcam, is without a doubt one of the most preferred home monitoring camera brands. But Kodak doesn't want to be left behind, and today it introduced an upgraded video surveillance camera as part of its CFH-V series. The new model, called the CFH-V20, features a 180-degree field of view, night vision and WiFi capabilities (including a built-in signal extender. It also comes with IFTTT integration, letting you pair the device with third-party automation apps and services, as well as lifetime one-day cloud storage that lets you watch any HD recording from the past 24 hours. Kodak's V20 is available now for $150, which is about $50 cheaper than the Nest Cam.
Nest Cam review: a slightly better Dropcam
Keeping an eye on your family, pets, neighbors and maybe a thief or two is the pitch for the Nest Cam. The evolution of the Dropcam Pro WiFi camera isn't much more than a modest hardware upgrade with the Nest name now attached. And while the $199 device shoots higher-quality images and features a better stand, unlike the other two products in Nest's lineup, it doesn't work with anything else you might have in your connected home. Still, it's a great way to keep tabs on your abode while you're away.
Nest's home security camera comes to the UK
Last month, Nest unveiled two new products that could make your home a whole lot safer: a revamped Protect smoke alarm and a wireless Nest Cam security camera. Both quickly debuted in the US and now, they're available in the UK too. The new £159 Nest Cam is clearly inspired by Dropcam -- the startup that Nest acquired last year for $555 million. The hardware offers some useful improvements though, such as a magnetic base (with tripod mount) that can be easily attached to most home surfaces. It also shoots in 1080p and uses eight built-in infrared LEDs to record and detect motion after dark. You can check the camera's live feed from your phone and "soon" Nest will be launching its Aware cloud backup service (£8 per month) so you can review anything from the last 30 days.
Nest's home monitoring camera is a sleeker Dropcam
In one of the worst kept secrets in recent history, Nest revealed its new Nest Cam wireless camera. It borrows heavily from Dropcam, a recent Nest acquisition, but has a thinner profile. The new camera shoots 1080p video, is slimmer than the Dropcam and has a new magnetic base with a tripod mount. It also sports better night vision with eight built-in infrared LEDs and improved algorithms. Like its predecessor, the Nest Cam and companion service includes live video streams to mobile devices and a CDR (Cloud video Recording) service that records up to 30 days of footage via Nest Aware. The camera is available for order today for $199. It will ship next week in the US, and in early July in the UK, where it'll be priced at £159. The Nest Aware subscription will cost $10 a month (or £8 in the UK) for the first camera and half that for each additional one for 10 days of video playback history. For 30 days of playback, it's $30 (£24) for the first camera and half that again for every extra lens.
