Nest Aware, is it worth the cost? and do you need it to use Nest cameras?
Google is eager to offer Nest Aware memberships to new Nest camera buyers. But what exactly is Aware, and is it worth the price?
What exactly is Google Nest Aware?
Nest Aware is a premium membership service that works in conjunction with your Nest equipment to keep you informed of key occurrences in your home.
Nest Aware's basic and advanced features depend on the camera, speaker, or display you have and where your house is.
If you're interested in Google's Nest Cams or Doorbells for your smart home, you've definitely heard of Nest Aware, a monthly subscription service that you can sign up for to supplement its capabilities.
So, what exactly do you get with a Nest Aware subscription, and is it worth the monthly fee?
Does the Nest camera record all of the time, and what are the benefits of a Nest Aware subscription?
The main advantage of a Nest Aware subscription is the extended recording history.
Nest cameras record only three hours of event history by default, with an "event" being a short clip triggered by sound or motion.
That's fine if you're awake and close to your phone, but not for occurrences captured overnight or while you're on vacation.
The main advantage of a Nest Aware membership is the longer recording history.
Do you have to pay for Nest Aware?
The regular Aware subscription includes 30 days of event history. Google sells a Nest Aware Plus upgrade that extends this to 60 days and adds 10 days of continuous video history if you need to see more footage.
Just keep in mind that not all Nest cameras offer continuous recording, with battery-powered cameras being the main exception.
How far can Nest camera detect motion and people?
The second most significant advantage is the recognition of recognized faces.
While the newest Nest Cams and Nest Doorbell Battery use integrated AI to discern between people, packages, animals, and cars, triggering relevant notifications, Aware customers may train their cameras to identify particular friends and family.
Instead of receiving a notification that a "person" is at the door, you'll be informed if it's Roger, Lakesha, or Stephanie.
Aware also enables sound detection of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, not just by wired Nest Cams but (in the United States) by any Google smart speaker or display.
When speakers and screens detect glass shattering, they may send out notifications.
If you're okay with it, the Nest Hub Max can function as its own camera in Aware. This includes warnings when a person is observed, whether they are familiar or not.
Finally, Aware makes it simpler for US users to contact a local 911 call center. Most people won't notice because they can always phone 911 on their own, but it may be useful if they're out of town-Google's "e911" technology links you to the 911 dispatch nearest to your house, rather than the one where you're now situated.
How much do Nest Aware Plus and Nest Aware cost?
Nest Aware costs $6 per month, or $60 per year if paid in full.
Nest Aware Plus costs $12 per month or $120 per year. The pricing approach used to be more convoluted, but now a single membership covers all of your cameras and speakers on any tier.
Is Nest Aware truly necessary?
No, technically. Nothing prevents you from purchasing a Nest camera and never having to spend another dime to utilize it. Just keep in mind that without a membership, the Nest security experience is severely limited.
Paywalling features like face recognition are inconvenient, but the three-hour window you have to examine and download event footage means that if you're not awake and paying attention to your phone when your camera detects anything, you could miss it.
If all you want from a security system is the capacity to remotely watch your house in real time, Nest Aware's video storage functions might not be very useful to you. You can probably do without the subscription.
Otherwise, you should either pony up or make sure you never leave your phone for more than three hours at a time.
Is there a free Nest Aware trial available?
Yes. A 30-day trial will be available after you set up a new Nest household or upgrade from the now-defunct first version of Aware. Aside from these limitations, it's worth noting that trials are only available where Aware is sold more on that later.
How do I sign up for Nest Aware? adding nest aware
On Android smartphones, Nest Aware and Aware Plus can be downloaded from the Google Store or the Google Home app.
In the second case, press the Settings (gear icon) button and then select Nest Aware from the Features menu.
As previously stated, emergency dialing and sound detection on Google Nest speakers and displays are only available in the United States. In Illinois, familiar face detection does not operate with Nest cameras or doorbells.
Nest Aware-compatible devices
Nest Cam Battery
Although the Nest Cam battery may be used indoors if you purchase a stand, it is designed to be used outside. It's waterproof and comes with a magnetic attachment for easy installation and removal outside.
The Nest Cam Battery, like the Doorbell, can record for up to an hour after losing Wi-Fi, but it does not provide Aware Plus 24/7 recording.
Nest Hub Max
The Nest Hub Max is basically required for a full Google smart home setup, especially if you have Nest Aware.
It's an easy way to watch camera feeds, and the Max can function as its own camera, complete with object and sound detection.
When you're not on the lookout, you may listen to music and podcasts, watch videos, and operate other smart home devices.
Nest Cam Wired
The wired-only Nest Cam isn't a terrific deal in comparison to the competitors.
However, it becomes more appealing as part of a house with other Aware devices because it is less expensive than the Nest Cam Battery and doesn't cost anything more for its identification and recording functions.
It can be hung on a wall or stood on a level surface, but it can only record inside because it is not waterproof.
Nest Doorbell Battery:
It only makes sense to have a video doorbell in an age when everything from dinners to gym equipment is delivered and porch pirates are a genuine menace.
The Nest Doorbell Battery may be hardwired if you don't want to recharge it every few months, and it can capture event footage for up to an hour following a power or Wi-Fi outage.
Just keep in mind that, even with its wired configuration, it does not offer continuous recording with Aware Plus.
Which one is better: Google Nest or Amazon Ring?
Google and Amazon both offer fantastic smart home lineups, but there are some key distinctions between Nest and Ring.
When you examine the camera hardware of each manufacturer, you can clearly see the variations.
If you're undecided about which smart home camera is ideal for you, compare the differences between the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery and the Nest Cam Battery.