Best Nest Aware Features That Make Your Home Smarter
In today’s rapidly advancing world, smart home technology is becoming more popular and accessible, providing homeowners with greater control over their living spaces. Nest Aware, Google’s cloud-based subscription service for Nest security cameras, is one such tool that elevates the functionality of your smart home security system. This service offers a range of advanced features that not only enhance security but also help you create a smarter, more convenient living environment.
In this article, we’ll explore the best Nest Aware features that can make your home smarter, from intelligent notifications to advanced cloud storage. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home security system or make your existing setup more efficient, this guide will show you how Nest Aware can help.
What is Nest Aware?
A Brief Overview
Nest Aware is a subscription-based service designed to complement Nest’s line of security cameras, such as the Nest Cam IQ, Nest Cam Outdoor, and Nest Hello doorbell. With Nest Aware, users gain access to cloud storage for video footage, advanced motion detection, intelligent notifications, and other features designed to improve the overall user experience.
Unlike the basic features that come with a Nest camera (such as live streaming), Nest Aware allows you to record footage for a specified time period (from 5 to 30 days, depending on your plan), access video history, and receive smarter alerts. These features are particularly valuable for users who want more than just real-time monitoring, providing peace of mind and better control over their home security.
Top Nest Aware Features That Make Your Home Smarter
1. Cloud Storage for Video Footage
One of the standout features of Nest Aware is its cloud storage. Without this service, Nest cameras offer limited video history and only store footage locally on your device for a short period of time. With Nest Aware, however, you gain the ability to store recorded footage in the cloud for up to 30 days, depending on the plan you choose.
Why Cloud Storage is Essential
Cloud storage is essential because it allows you to access video footage anytime, from anywhere. Whether you need to review past events, share footage with others, or simply check up on your home while you’re away, cloud storage ensures that your videos are safe and easy to access, even if your camera is damaged or stolen.
How It Works
Nest Aware records video continuously (depending on your settings) and stores the footage in Google’s secure cloud environment. You can then access the footage through the Google Home app or the Nest app. The service is available in two plans:
- Nest Aware (5 days of storage): This plan allows you to store 5 days of video footage in the cloud.
- Nest Aware Plus (30 days of storage): This plan offers 30 days of cloud storage, giving you ample time to review and download your video footage.
2. Intelligent Motion Detection
Nest Aware comes equipped with advanced motion detection capabilities that are far more intelligent than basic motion sensors. This feature reduces false alerts by distinguishing between humans, pets, and other objects moving in the frame.
How It Works
The cameras use machine learning algorithms to analyze the motion in their field of view. With Nest Aware, the system can filter out irrelevant movements (such as a passing car or tree swaying in the wind) and only notify you of meaningful activity, such as someone approaching your door or walking into your home.
This intelligent motion detection helps prevent notification overload, allowing you to focus on important events.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
By reducing the number of unnecessary alerts, you can save time and increase efficiency. Additionally, with the ability to track human motion more accurately, you can ensure that the system is watching out for the right things.
3. Activity Zones for Personalized Monitoring
Another impressive feature that comes with Nest Aware is the ability to set up activity zones. This allows you to specify certain areas within the camera’s view that you want to monitor closely.
How It Works
In the Nest app, you can draw customizable zones on the video feed. These zones will alert you only when motion is detected in those designated areas, helping you monitor specific areas of your home such as the driveway, front door, or windows.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
This feature ensures that you don’t get unnecessary alerts about movement that isn’t important to you. For example, if you only want to monitor the front porch and ignore movement in the background, activity zones allow you to tailor the system to your needs.
4. Person Alerts for Added Security
With Nest Aware, your security cameras can recognize when a person enters the camera’s view, which is particularly useful for home security.
How It Works
Using advanced machine learning, Nest Aware can distinguish between people and objects. When it detects a person in view, it sends an alert to your phone or device, ensuring you’re notified about important activity.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
Person alerts improve your home security system by reducing false alarms and ensuring you only receive notifications when it matters most. Whether you’re monitoring your front door or backyard, knowing when a person is present helps you stay vigilant.
5. Familiar Face Detection (Nest Cam IQ Only)
For users with the Nest Cam IQ, one of the most advanced features is familiar face detection. This feature uses facial recognition technology to identify known faces and send tailored alerts.
How It Works
Once you train your Nest Cam IQ to recognize faces (by marking them as “familiar”), the camera will send you a notification whenever a familiar face is detected. If an unfamiliar person is spotted, you will also be notified, enhancing your security.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
Facial recognition helps you distinguish between family members, friends, and strangers, ensuring that only relevant alerts are sent. This is particularly helpful for monitoring deliveries or ensuring that visitors are expected.
6. Video History and Event Clips
With Nest Aware, you can go beyond just live streaming and access a history of events that occurred while you weren’t watching. The service automatically stores video clips, so you can easily scroll through them when needed.
How It Works
Nest Aware saves video clips for a set duration (5 or 30 days depending on your plan), allowing you to review past activity. Additionally, you can create and save event clips manually, so you can easily find important moments.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
Being able to review past footage is essential for security and peace of mind. If something happens, you don’t have to worry about missing key moments—you can easily find and review relevant video clips to get a clearer picture of events.
7. Sound Alerts for Audio Monitoring
In addition to visual alerts, Nest Aware provides sound detection alerts, which are an excellent tool for monitoring sounds in your home.
How It Works
The system can detect unusual sounds, such as glass breaking or loud noises, and send you an alert. While this feature may not be available on all cameras, those that support audio monitoring can be even more valuable in certain situations.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
Sound detection allows you to be alerted to sounds that may signify a problem. Whether it’s a breaking window or a loud noise in the night, you can be informed instantly, adding another layer of security to your system.
8. Customizable Notifications
Nest Aware lets you fully customize your notifications so that they align with your preferences. You can adjust the types of notifications you receive, as well as how frequently you get them.
How It Works
You can toggle between notifications for different activities (such as motion, people, and sounds), ensuring that you only receive alerts that matter. You can also adjust the frequency of notifications to prevent being overwhelmed.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
Customized notifications ensure that your security system works for you, not the other way around. Tailoring alerts to your preferences helps you stay informed without the hassle of constant interruptions.
9. Remote Access from Anywhere
Nest Aware is part of Google’s ecosystem, allowing you to control your cameras and monitor your home from virtually anywhere in the world.
How It Works
Using the Nest or Google Home app, you can access live footage, review event history, and receive alerts no matter where you are. This gives you peace of mind, knowing that your home is always within reach, whether you’re at work or on vacation.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
Remote access is a game-changer for homeowners who travel frequently or simply want to keep tabs on their home while they’re away. It makes managing your home security system more convenient and reliable.
10. Integration with Other Smart Devices
Nest Aware is designed to work seamlessly with other smart devices in your home. By integrating with Google Assistant, you can control your Nest cameras using voice commands.
How It Works
You can link your Nest cameras to other smart home devices, such as smart lights, door locks, and thermostats, to create a comprehensive home automation system. For example, you can have the lights turn on when motion is detected, or lock the door when you leave.
Why It Makes Your Home Smarter
The ability to integrate with other smart devices enhances your home’s overall intelligence. It creates a more streamlined, automated experience that allows your devices to work together efficiently.
Also Read :How do i purchase nest aware subscription
Conclusion
Nest Aware offers a range of advanced features that not only enhance the security of your home but also make it smarter. From cloud storage to intelligent motion detection, personalized alerts, and integration with other devices, Nest Aware helps you keep a watchful eye on your property while offering convenience and peace of mind. Whether you’re a tech-savvy homeowner or someone just starting with smart security, these features will help you create a more connected, secure, and smarter living environment.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus?
Nest Aware offers 5 days of video history, while Nest Aware Plus offers 30 days of video history. Both plans come with advanced features like intelligent motion detection, person alerts, and cloud storage, but Nest Aware Plus offers more extended storage for your footage.
2. Can I use Nest Aware without a Nest Camera?
No, Nest Aware is specifically designed to work with Nest cameras, such as the Nest Cam IQ, Nest Cam Outdoor, and Nest Hello doorbell. It enhances the functionality of these devices, allowing for cloud storage, intelligent alerts, and more.
3. Can I set activity zones for multiple cameras with Nest Aware?
Yes, you can set up activity zones for each of your Nest cameras individually, allowing you to monitor specific areas that are most important to you. This customization helps reduce unnecessary alerts and ensures that you only receive notifications for relevant events.
4. How much does Nest Aware cost?
Nest Aware has two pricing plans: the basic plan (Nest Aware) costs $6 per month for 5 days of cloud storage, while the premium plan (Nest Aware Plus) costs $12 per month for 30 days of storage.
5. Does Nest Aware work with Google Assistant?
Yes, Nest Aware integrates with Google Assistant, allowing you to control your Nest cameras and receive updates through voice commands. You can ask Google Assistant to show footage from specific cameras or check the status of your home security system.