As we warned, Google will disable support for its once-great Google Nest Secure home security system on April 8. This signifies that from today your Nest Secure will not hook up with the Internet, you won’t have the ability to manage it from the Nest app or receive notifications from the alarm system. It’s essentially a paperweight (albeit one which might be recycled).
Google announced that it might discontinue Nest Secure in 2020, so you’ve got had loads of time to buy an alternative. But should you’ve been pushing aside the large pain of replacing your house security system until the last minute, that last minute has finally arrived.
What are your options? When it announced it was discontinuing Nest Secure, Google, a big investor in ADT, offered its users a free ADT self-configuration system (worth as much as $485) or a $200 Google Store credit. According to ADT, this free system offer is valid until May 7, 2024, which is lower than a month away.
The ADT Self Setup system was launched in March 2023 and is ADT’s second do-it-yourself security system (the primary was the short-lived ADT Blue). It has the choice of skilled monitoring via ADT, or you’ll be able to monitor it yourself. It integrates with most Nest hardware (including the Nest Battery Doorbell, Nest Hub, and Nest Cameras) and works with Google Home. However, it’s removed from an easy substitute for Nest Secure, and its integration with Google Home is basically the identical as other third-party security systems (more on those in a moment).
ADT’s Wayne Thorsen told me that the self-configuration system “is scalable and will continue to receive new software updates, improvements and benefits through the ADT/Google partnership.” So we will expect higher integration with Google Home in the longer term.
However, there have been rumors of a brand new ADT Smart Home Security system from ADT/Google, featuring first-party hardware developed with direct support from Google and incorporating lots of the features we loved about Nest Secure.
While there was no official announcement from Google or ADT, it seems that a launch is imminent. Last yr, The Verge published a ton of details about ADT Smart Home Security that were hidden on the ADT website; a setup video was released earlier this yr, and even now support pages for the brand new system are searchable on the ADT website.
A screenshot of the support pages for ADT’s as-yet-unannounced latest Smart Home Security system.
The query for Nest Secure users who have not yet decided to establish ADT themselves is whether or not this latest system will launch before the free offer expires on May 7, lower than a month away. Given that ADT likely has just a few self-configuration systems to take the load off before launching a brand new one, my guess is that ADT Smart Home Security won’t arrive until these coupons expire, wherein case it may be worth considering non-ADT alternatives.
I’ve tested several DIY security systems, and should you want one you can control through Google Home and integrate with Google devices like Nest cameras, thermostats, and smart home hubs, I like to recommend Arlo or Abode.
Arlo’s Home Security System ($199.99) might be the closest choice to Nest Secure, and offers sleek, multi-function sensors as a substitute of plenty of little white plastic boxes. Its door/window sensors also function as motion sensors, identical to Secure’s Nest Detects did. But they do not have the cool “tap to disarm” feature. However, in addition they act as leak, temperature, light and tilt sensors, and listen for smoke and CO alarms.
The Arlo security system has the identical simplicity as Nest Secure and works with Google Home. Photo: Arlo
Arlo announced that it’s releasing an NFC tag that may disarm a system, very like Secure tags once did. You can control the Arlo security system with the Google Home app, but you’ll be able to’t control Google devices with the Arlo app, and features like video verification for skilled monitoring require Arlo cameras and do not work with Nest cameras. (The Arlo Secure package with skilled monitoring costs $24.99 per 30 days.)
Abode is a more traditional DIY smart home security system with many single-function sensor options resembling motion sensors, door/window sensors, glass breakage, etc. However, it will possibly be integrated with Z-Wave and Zigbee smart home sensors, lights and locks together with dozens of other smart home devices, making it a very good selection for a more reliable smart home setup. Prices start at $139.99, and the Abode integrates well with Google Home, allowing you to manage it using the Google Home app.
Google Nest products might be controlled via the Abode app, including live streaming from Nest cameras. You can even arrange automation that can, for instance, arm the system when your Nest thermostat switches to Away mode. To run them, nonetheless, you’ll have to pay for the Abode plan, which starts at $7 per 30 days and goes as much as $23 per 30 days (for the skilled monitoring option).
For those that are completely done with Google, I’m an enormous fan of the brand new Ecobee security system. It has the identical simplicity as Nest Secure, with multi-function door/window sensors that also double as occupancy sensors. The system, which starts at $269.99 and includes an Ecobee thermostat, might be controlled using a keypad built into the thermostat. It can be integrated with the Ecobee indoor camera and doorbell camera. Professional auto repair costs just $10 a month, which is a excellent price. But there is no such thing as a Google Home support.
While there’s still no direct substitute for the Google Nest Secure system, there are some good options for an easy, easy-to-use alternative that works with Google Home. And while whatever Google and ADT are working on might be a worthy successor to Secure, it doesn’t seem to be it’ll arrive in time to assist Nest Secure users whose ADT offer expires next month.
Credit : www.theverge.com