Google is interested in selling Nest Aware subscriptions to people who buy new Nest cameras. But what is conscious, and is it worth the money?
If you’re interested in Nest Cams or Google’s doorbell for your smart home, you’ve probably heard of Nest Aware, a paid subscription service you can subscribe to to enhance their functionality. . So what do you get from a Nest Aware subscription, and is paying the recurring fee worth it?
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What is Google Nest Aware?
The main benefit of a Nest Aware subscription is the extensive subscription history. By default, the Nest camera only records a three-hour event history, with the “event” being a short clip triggered by sound or motion. It’s good enough if you’re awake and within reach of your phone, but not so good for incidents recorded overnight or when you’re traveling.
A standard Nest Aware subscription extends event history to 30 days. Google sells an upgrade option, Nest Aware Plus, that lasts up to 60 days and adds 10 days of continuous video history if you need to see more footage. Just be aware that not all Nest cameras support continuous recording, with the main limitation being anything that runs on batteries.
The main benefit of a Nest Aware subscription is the extensive subscription history.
Nest Aware
The second big benefit is familiar face recognition. While the latest Nest Cams and Battery Nest Doorbells can distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles using onboard AI, triggering appropriate notifications, Aware subscribers can teach their cameras to recognize friends and family. So instead of getting an alert that there’s a “person” at the door, you’ll be notified if it’s Roger, Lakesha, or Stephanie.
One little known thing about Aware is that it enables audible detection of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, not only by a wired Nest Cam, but by any Google speaker or smart display. Speakers and displays can also trigger an alert when they hear glass breaking, and the Nest Hub Max will also notify you if it hears someone talking. The Max can act as its own camera in Aware, if you’re comfortable with that.
Finally, Aware makes it easy to contact your local 911 call center. This won’t be a problem for most people, as you can always call the emergency services yourself, but it can come in handy if you’re out of town – Google’s “e911” technology should help. you connect to the 911 dispatcher nearest to you. , instead of where you are now.
The best Nest Aware compatible devices
Nest doorbell battery
Nest Cam battery While the Nest Cam Battery can be used indoors if you have a stand, it’s really meant to be used outdoors only. It is waterproof and comes with a magnetic mount for easier outdoor installation and removal. Like its Doorbell cousin, the Nest Cam Battery can record for up to an hour after losing Wi-Fi, but not 24/7 with Aware Plus.
Nest Hub Max
The Nest Hub Max is pretty much a must for a complete Google smart home setup, especially if you have a Nest Aware. It’s a convenient way to view the camera feed, and the Max can act as a camera of its own, with sound and object recognition capabilities. When you’re not looking, you can do things like listen to music and podcasts, stream videos, and control other smart home accessories.
Nest Cam wired
On its own, the wired-only Nest Cam isn’t great value compared to the competition. However, it becomes more appealing as part of the home with other Aware devices, as it’s cheaper than the Nest Cam Battery and you don’t have to pay any extra for its recognition and recording features it. You can mount it on a wall or place it on a flat surface, but it can only record indoors because it’s not waterproof.
How much does Nest Aware cost?
In the standard US version, Nest Aware costs $6 per month or $60 per year, with the second version saving you $12 per year, assuming you want to be a long-term subscriber. term. Both charges cover all Aware-enabled devices in your home, no matter how many you add. This is different from many smart security plans, which will charge you more when you move beyond a single camera.
The price of the Nest Aware drops to $12 per month or $120 per year if you upgrade to the Plus tier. The unlimited number of cameras still exists, even with multiple devices recording 24/7.
Is there a free trial of Nest Aware?
Yes, Once you set up a compatible device in the Nest or Google Home app, you’ll get a 30-day trial. However, there is a limit of one trial per family, so don’t expect resets when adding or replacing cameras. It’s also important to note that trials are only available when the Nest Aware goes on sale – more to come shortly.
How to sign up for Nest Aware
You can subscribe to Nest Aware or Aware Plus through the Google Store or through the Google Home app on your Android device. In the second case, tap the Settings button (gear icon), select Features, then Nest Aware.
Nest Aware has access to the following areas:
- United Kingdom
- United States (except Puerto Rico)
- Australia
- Austria
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Google notes that for now, emergency calls and audio detection on Google Nest speakers and displays are only available in the US. Familiar face recognition doesn’t work with Nest cameras or doorbells in Illinois.
How to manage your Nest Aware subscription?
The most common method is to go to store.google.com/subscribe and sign in with your Google Account. There, you’ll find options to change your payment method, cancel your subscription, or switch from Aware to Aware Plus (and vice versa). You may need to select the three-dot menu to access some options.
If you signed up through the Google Home app, you’ll need to manage Aware through the Google Play Store. Once you’re signed in, go to My Subscriptions and select Nest Aware. Tap Manage to see available options.
In general, any Aware subscription will continue to automatically renew (and bill you) until you cancel it. The exception is this 30-day free trial, which requires you to accept payment to continue. When you cancel, Aware stays active until the end of your current billing period, whether it’s a month or a year.
Do I have to pay for Nest Aware?
Maybe, but there are two main criteria to respect. The first is the need for comprehensive home security. If you work from home all the time and live in a safe neighborhood, you can easily record a free event offered by some camera manufacturers, even three hours from Google. Perception doesn’t mean much if you’re just checking the package or observing your child.
If you’re away from home often and/or your neighborhood has a crime problem, Aware’s event recording and facial recognition start to matter. It’s best to catch the intruders by hand, but at least there’s still a chance to sue or recover assets if you can provide video evidence.
The second criterion is Google’s commitment to the ecosystem, not only in cameras, but as a complete smart home platform. If you have an Amazon Echo Show as a smart display, you automatically get the most out of Alexa-enabled cameras. Likewise, if you already have cameras from companies like Arlo or Wyze, it makes no sense to complicate your system by adding Google models, let alone paying for Aware, independently.
Permissions for Nest hardware
If you really need round-the-clock protection and are willing to just use Google, then Aware will do it.
