At a recent Google Home event, the company introduced a refreshed lineup of Nest smart home security cameras and doorbells. The new products include a Nest Cam Outdoor for $149.99, a Nest Cam Indoor for $99.99, and a Nest Doorbell for $179.99. These devices are designed to highlight Google’s Gemini AI assistant in the smart home. All three feature 2K HDR video, a high-definition format that provides sharper images than previous models and represents the highest resolution Google has shipped to date.
The company selected this sensor to provide the level of fidelity required for its Gemini models, both now and as the technology continues to evolve. This choice also allows users to zoom in and see fine details, such as a license plate on a vehicle, while balancing the need to avoid consuming excessive data.
Beyond the improved resolution, the cameras offer a wider and taller field of view compared to earlier devices. The new 152-degree diagonal view lets users see more of their surroundings. The doorbell’s field of view has been increased to 166 degrees, and its aspect ratio is now 1:1, providing a more square image. This design allows the doorbell to capture a more detailed view, showing the head and feet of a person at the door as well as packages on the ground to the left and right.
A new sensor and a wider aperture also give the cameras enhanced low-light performance. Google states the devices are 120 percent more light sensitive than older models and can remain in full-color mode longer during dawn and dusk. They still include infrared vision for seeing in complete darkness at night.
When users receive an alert about an event at the door, the preview images will now be zoomed in on whatever triggered the notification, making it easier to identify. Users also have the option to permanently zoom and crop the doorbell’s view to focus on a specific area.
Google aims to compete with rivals through its Gemini capabilities and improved baseline features. For starters, the free tier of event history is being doubled from three to six hours. For every event in that period, users will receive a 10-second video clip. Users can upgrade to plans offering 10 days, 60 days, or more history.
Gemini enhances the system by making notifications smarter. Instead of receiving generic motion alerts, users will get notifications with more context, such as “dog jumps out of playpen,” accompanied by a zoomed-in video preview. This improvement is powered by what Google calls “semantic scene understanding,” where the multi-modal Gemini AI interprets what is happening in the video. This transforms alerts from “person detected” to “a FedEx delivery driver is placing a package on the porch and walking away.”
A feature in the Google Home app called the “Home Brief” will summarize the past 24 hours of activity you missed while away. It can show which packages were delivered, if the dog knocked something over, which people stopped by, and other events. You can instruct Gemini to adjust the brief’s length or to focus only on specific subjects like children or pets. You can also ask Gemini questions like what time the kids got home or if the landscaper arrived.
Gemini will also help users utilize more complex features, such as home automations, which are preset routines that control multiple devices automatically. Instead of manual configuration, you could tell Gemini you want to feel safer, and the AI could suggest setting up a routine to close blinds, lock doors, or simulate presence by turning lights on and off while you are away.
The cameras come in plastic-free packaging and are available in new colors. The Nest Cam Indoor is offered in Snow, Hazel, and Berry. The Nest Cam Outdoor is available in Snow and Hazel, is IP56 rated for weatherproofing, and features a reformulated resin for long-term UV protection and sustainability.
For security, a green light indicates when the camera is processing or streaming video. Google also provides encrypted video, two-step verification, and commits that video footage is never used for ad targeting or personalization. The Nest Doorbell comes in Snow, Hazel, and Linen.
The devices are sold at major retailers and on the Google Store. The Nest cameras are available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, the U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The new Nest Doorbell will be available in the U.S. and Canada.
To reach a wider audience, Google partnered with Walmart to launch more affordable devices branded as the onn Indoor Camera Wired for $22.96 and the onn Video Doorbell Wired for $49.86. These offer 1080p live view resolution, with a paid subscription unlocking additional intelligent features from Gemini.
Alongside this product release, the existing Nest Aware subscription is being rebranded as Google Home Premium, though the tiers and pricing remain the same. Home Premium Standard is $10 per month and Home Premium Advanced is $20 per month. Google Home Premium will also be included in Google One subscriptions at no extra cost. Subscribers to the Google AI Pro tier will receive Home Premium Standard for free, while Google AI Ultra users will have access to Home Premium Advanced.
Finally, users will no longer need to switch between the Nest mobile app and the Google Home app, as all functionality has been integrated into the Home app. The Nest app will not disappear immediately; Google plans to ensure Nest users can transition seamlessly to the new application.