Google has recently announced a significant price hike for its Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus cloud-based recording services in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Existing subscribers will see a 33% increase in their monthly or yearly subscription fees. Nest Aware, which offers cloud-based recording and intelligent alerts, will jump from $6 per month or $60 per year to $8 per month or $80 per year. Nest Aware Plus, which includes additional features such as 24/7 video recording and longer event video history, will increase from $12 per month or $120 per year to $15 per month or $150 per year. These changes are already in effect for new subscribers.
The Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus services allow users to record video footage from their Nest cameras to the cloud, which can be accessed at any time. These services also enable intelligent alerts, which can notify users of potential security threats. However, users do not need to subscribe to Nest Aware or Nest Aware Plus to use their cameras for live viewing. They can still view their cameras in real-time, but they will lose access to recorded footage and smart alerts.
According to Google, the price increase is necessary to keep up with market shifts, including inflation and local tax updates. This decision comes at a time when Nest is transitioning some of its features from the core Nest app to the Google Home app. For instance, the Nest Doorbell now requires the Google Home app to function, rather than the Nest app.
Google Raises Prices of Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus Services Substantially Today
The price increase has been met with disappointment from some users, who are already dealing with the demise of Nest Secure, the company’s home security service, which is set to be discontinued in the spring of 2024. This move is part of a larger shift by Google to consolidate its home security features under the Google Home brand. Many users are concerned about the future of Nest products and services, as they struggle to adapt to the changing terrain.
Despite the price increase, Google has stated its commitment to continuing to develop new features and innovations for Nest Aware. The company plans to continue improving cloud-based recording and event detection, but it has not provided any details about what these new features may be or when they can be expected. As users adapt to the changes, they can expect to see more features and innovations emerge from Nest Aware over time.
The impact of this price increase on Nest customers remains to be seen, but it is clear that the company is undergoing significant changes as it shifts its focus towards the Google Home brand. The transition is part of a broader effort to consolidate its home security features under one brand, but it also raises questions about the future of Nest products and services. As users navigate this changing terrain, they will need to adjust to the new pricing and features of Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus.
