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New leak shows Google’s Nest Mini comes with a wall mount
We're less than a day away from the start of Google's 2019 fall hardware event, but that doesn't mean the leaks have to stop. WinFuture's Roland Quandt, a frequent leaker with a solid track record, just shared official-looking images of Google's upcoming Nest-branded Home Mini refresh.
The best outdoor security camera
By Rachel Cericola This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to outdoor security cameras. An outdoor security camera is a powerful deterrent to mischief makers and a convenient way to determine whether that thing going bump in the night is a friend, foe, or furry creature. We recommend the Google Nest Cam Outdoor for the job. It's fully weatherproof, and although you need a subscription to get person alerts, set Activity Zones, and store recordings, the Nest Cam Outdoor captures video 24/7, has person detection, and sends motion-activated smartphone alerts. The Nest Cam Outdoor's Wi-Fi camera includes everything a DIY surveillance camera should: crisp, 1080p video; a wide field of view; and two-way audio. The optional Nest Aware subscription (starting at $5 a month) gives you 24/7 recording, customizable Activity Zones, and person detection, which helps cut down on nuisance alerts. The Nest Cam has a weatherproof cord and plug, as well as a convenient mounting system that allows you to aim the device in any direction (however, the power cord limits placement options to areas within reach of an outlet or an electrical cable). Because Nest Aware records everything nonstop, if someone has Internet service with a data cap, it may be an issue. The corded version of the Logitech Circle 2 offers similar features to the Nest Cam. Along with Alexa and Google Assistant, it includes HomeKit support, which the Nest doesn't; it also includes 24 hours of free cloud storage, with an option to purchase more. But even if you get a subscription, the Circle 2 doesn't record 24/7 as the Nest Cam does. Also, the Circle 2's 10-foot power cord may be too short for some outdoor uses, so you may have to invest in a weatherproof extension cord. If you're more interested in checking on your kids or spotting packages than in keeping an eye out for prowlers, the Arlo Pro 2 is also a great pick. Although it can't record continuous motion (without a subscription) and often leaves gaps of a few seconds in between video clips—making it less desirable as a security camera—it is otherwise the best battery-powered unit we tested. It delivers an excellent image, clear two-way audio, practical smart-home integration, seven days of free cloud storage, and the option to add a USB drive for local video storage. For a fee, you can add person, animal, and vehicle detection and more cloud-based video storage. The Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is the most technologically advanced outdoor camera we've tested. It has a close-up tracking feature, which automatically zooms in on motion and then follows it around the field of view. To make those images clear, it has an 8-megapixel 4K sensor, HDR (high dynamic range), and 12 x digital zoom. It can distinguish between general motion and people, so it cuts down on false alarms, and it can even identify people you've labeled (after a learning period). But like all Nest cameras, this one requires the Nest Aware service to do anything beyond live viewing.
What to expect at the Made By Google event next week
We're less than a week away from Google's hardware event in New York, and Team Engadget will be there to report live from the ground. The leaks and even official reports on Google's next smartphones have been relentless, so much so that we've learned even more about the company's upcoming devices since we wrote about them last month. Here's an update on what we expect from Google, based on the latest tidbits.
Google streamlines music transfers between Home and Nest devices
Moving music between different Google Home and Nest devices has been a convoluted process for a while now, but Google is at long last making it easier to do just that. The company is introducing a new feature called stream transfer that allows you to ask Assistant to move music and podcasts between different Chromecast, Google Home and Nest devices. One example the company gives is, "Hey Google, move the music to the living room speaker."
The best Alexa-compatible smart-home devices for Amazon Echo
By Rachel Cericola This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to Alexa-compatible smart-home devices for Amazon Echo. Imagine walking into your home at night, arms overflowing with groceries. Even if you've installed smart lights, you'd need to put the bags down, pull out your phone, unlock it, open the app, find the control for the lights you want, and then tap the icon—might as well just stick with a plain old wired switch. But with an Alexa, you simply say, "Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights." And it's not just lights; Alexa is capable of controlling everything from basic smart plugs to garage doors. All three smart-speaker platforms (Alexa, Google Assistant, and to a lesser degree, Siri) can control a variety of smart-home devices and add an extra level of convenience to your smart-home system. We think Amazon's Alexa has a slight edge over the others because it works with more devices, and the wider family of Amazon Echo products makes it easier to fit them everyplace in your home. However, if you already have a Google Home speaker, the differences aren't large enough for you to need to switch platforms. We have guides for the best devices to use with Google Assistant and Siri/HomeKit. The Amazon Echo (or Echo Dot) offers a convenient interface for your smart home and provides functionality that an app on your phone can't. If you already have some Alexa-compatible devices or one of the three major smart-home hubs (SmartThings, Wink, or Insteon), adding an Echo can make accessing those devices more interesting and convenient. Taking advantage of its near-instantaneous response time and reliable voice-recognition processing is significantly faster than pulling out your phone and opening an app just to turn the lights on or off. Some products, such as Philips Hue lights and Nest thermostats, have native Alexa support, while others require you to enable a third-party skill. We tested plenty of both varieties to come up with the best-performing and most reliable recommendations, which we're continually testing to ensure that each new firmware and app update meets our high standards. Over the past several years, Wirecutter's editors and writers have tested just about every smart-home device of consequence. As more people end up buying smart speakers and platform support gets more and more important, we wanted to provide one place where you could access all of our picks that are compatible with the devices you already own, across all of our smart-home recommendations. Because these devices receive regular updates with additional compatibility and new features, we are continually testing and reevaluating our picks in our own homes to confirm that they still meet our recommendation standards. We'll update this guide as we learn new information, but be sure to read the full reviews if you'd like more details and test notes. If you don't yet have an Alexa-enabled device, or you want to learn more about what Alexa is and what you can do with these things, check out our full guide to Alexa and Amazon's Echo line of smart speakers.
Google WiFi successor could include Assistant-enabled beacons
When it hosts its Pixel 4 launch event on October 15th, Google could announce an interesting new update to its WiFi mesh router. According to 9 to 5 Google's Stephan Hall, the company plans to update the device by adding a newly designed Assistant-enabled beacon to the mix. Building on what companies like Eero offer, Google's new beacons will not only extend the range of a WiFi network, they'll double as voice-activated smart speakers like the Home Mini. This is a new approach for Google. With the company's current setup, you add multiple Google WiFis, all of which are full-fledged router units, to create a WiFi network that covers your entire home.
What to expect at Google's October 15th Pixel 4 event
Google has taken a novel approach with the Pixel 4 by sharing some information ahead of time. But, we don't know everything about its next flagship. And there's a big launch event coming up soon. On October 15th in New York City, the company will officially announce the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, as well as a host of other Made by Google devices. So let's take a quick look at what we know, what we think we know and what we know we don't know.
Google's Nest Mini with wall mount and audio port hits the FCC
It looks like those reports that Google's Nest-branded Home Mini successor will feature a wall mount and auxiliary audio jack are accurate. A new FCC filing, first spotted by 9 to 5 Google, seemingly confirms everything we've heard about the Nest Mini's feature set.
Google's Nest doorbell knows when your packages arrive
It can be nerve-wracking if you're waiting for a package to reach home -- just because you received a "delivered" alert doesn't mean it'll be where you wanted it, or that it'll still be there when you get to your door. Google may ease your worries after today. It's rolling out package detection to all Nest Hello doorbell owners in the US with Nest Aware subscriptions. You'll get an alert when a box reaches your doorstep, and another when someone (hopefully a person in your household) picks it up. You can specify activity zones if you know there's a preferred drop-off spot, such as one side of your front porch.
Baidu takes second place from Google in the smart speaker market
Google is no longer the world's second-biggest smart speaker maker. According to a new report published by market research firm Canalys, China's Baidu now holds that title. The company surged past Google thanks to a strong second-quarter in which it grew smart speaker shipments by 3,700 percent year over year. The feat is particularly impressive given that Baidu was effectively a non-entity in the space a year ago with shipments of only 0.1 million units.
IFTTT tells Nest users not to move their accounts over to Google
Back in May Google announced it was phasing out its Works With Nest program in favour of a Works With Google Assistant framework. Unsurprisingly, users that had invested time and money into their smart home systems weren't too impressed by this move, largely because the change stands to impact a number of smart home tie-ins. Or more specifically, it will "break IFTTT," according to Google. But IFTTT has some good news: IFTTT applets designed for the Nest Thermostat, Nest Protect and Nest Cam will continue to work after August 31st, when Google plans on shutting down the Works With Nest Program.
Google Nest camera users can no longer disable the status light
Google has notified existing Nest camera, Nest Hello doorbell and Dropcam owners that they can no longer disable their devices' status light. The company told customers the update in an email, according to 9toGoogle, which also found Google Support discussions on the topic by displeased customers. It was previously possible to switch off those security devices' status lights to prevent them from being spotted in a dark room, keeping them hidden from, say, home invaders.
Google pledges to 'maximize' recycled material in own products
Google has been making consumer hardware under its "Made by Google" brand -- like its Pixel phones and Google Home Minis -- for three years, and dabbled in other hardware for a few years before that. Now, it's ready to make its products more sustainable. Starting in 2022, 100 percent of its Made by Google products will include recycled materials and will maximize recycled content whenever possible. By 2020, 100 percent of all shipments going to or from customers will be carbon neutral.
Is Google’s Nest Hub worth your $129?
Last October's release of the Nest Hub (neé Home Hub) wasn't Google's first foray into smart displays -- the company had already released the Home, Home Max and the Home Mini. They were all solid, if not outstanding, hits with reviewers. The Nest Hub earned praise from Senior Editor Nicole Lee for the premium feel of the fabric finish, the substitution of an ambient EQ light sensor for a camera, and for how it worked (fairly) seamlessly with other Google products, including the Nest Hello doorbell.
Google hints its smart speakers will be renamed 'Nest Home' (updated)
Google made clear that it would apply the Nest name to all its smart home products, but just how would it rename classic products? You now have a better idea. As of this writing, a visit to the Connected Home Accessories section of the Google Store's Special Offers page shows the Google Home's replaceable base as "Nest Home Base." The product page still refers to the speaker by its original name, but you'll find this change in the terms and conditions as well.
Google ditches Nest.com in favor of its online store
Google hasn't been shy about phasing out what's left of Nest as an independent entity, and that now includes Nest's website. Droid-Life has noticed that Google has largely gutted Nest.com -- now, it just asks you to visit the Google Store if you're looking for products. You can still sign into your Nest Account, manage your Nest Aware subscriptions and check relevant purchase histories, but product info, shopping and news have all vanished.
Tariffs are forcing Big Tech to move production out of China
In response to the Trump administration's trade war with China, major tech companies are preparing to relocate key manufacturing operations. According to Bloomberg, Google is moving production of its US-bound Nest thermostats and motherboards to Taiwan. The Wall Street Journal reports that Nintendo is shifting at least some production of its Switch console to Southeast Asia. At the same time, China has allegedly warned companies that they will face permanent consequences if they cooperate with Trump administration trade restrictions.
Google promises it won't cut off Works With Nest prematurely
Google angered more than a few smart home enthusiasts when it announced that it was shutting down Works With Nest, but it at least has some news to reassure fans of the Nest ecosystem. The company has shared an updated plan that explains what happens after the August 31st cutoff. Existing Works With Nest devices and integrations will continue to work with Nest accounts, Google said -- you just can't add new connections after that date. The company also vowed that it would be easy to transition from a Nest account to a Google account once equivalent features are available on Works With Google Assistant, such as "home" and "away" statuses that will reach Assistant later in 2019.
Google will let you play simple games on smart displays
Starting today, developers will be able to create games for Google's smart displays. Google is opening up access to a Google Assistant-based framework called Interactive Canvas, which will allow them to build full-screen apps (or Actions) on smart displays that bring together touchscreen inputs, voice and visuals. For the time being, games are the only type of Actions they can create for smart displays using Canvas, with more categories coming soon.
Here's all the important stuff Google announced at I/O 2019
A better, faster, stronger Google is in store for 2019. During its I/O developer conference on Tuesday, the company unveiled dozens of updates to every corner of the Google ecosystem; from search and Google Assistant to the next generation of Android. In the keynote, Google CEO Sundar Pinchai said the company's mission is shifting from a company that "helps you find answers" to one that "helps you get things done." Whether it's hailing a Lyft, translating foreign languages or transcribing video in real-time, the theme today was how Google can help users perform more tasks than ever before.
