Google's New Nest Cams and Doorbells with 2K and Gemini Spotted in Stores.

Google's next generation of smart home security devices appears to be arriving sooner than expected. The new Nest Cam and Doorbell models, distinguished by "2K" and "with Gemini" badges on their packaging, have been spotted in retail stores ahead of their anticipated official announcement on October 1.

The new product names are expected to be the Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd Gen), Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd Gen), and Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd Gen). While the physical designs of the cameras remain largely unchanged from the 2021 models, Google is introducing new color options, including a vibrant red.

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The most notable changes are highlighted on the packaging. The "2K" designation points to a significant upgrade in video resolution, promising clearer and more detailed footage. The "with Gemini" badge suggests that these devices will leverage Google's latest AI models to provide enhanced features, such as more intelligent object recognition, improved activity detection, and more nuanced alerts.

The early appearance of these products in stores indicates that they will be available for purchase immediately following the October 1 announcement, which is sure to excite consumers and smart home enthusiasts alike. This is a significant step for Google's Nest lineup, bringing higher resolution and advanced AI capabilities to its core security products.

Google Teases Major Nest Cam and Gemini Updates for October.

Google has officially teased a new era for its smart home products, with a major announcement scheduled for October 1. The company's teaser confirms that new Nest Cam and Gemini updates are on the way, promising a significant evolution for the Google Home ecosystem.

The most anticipated reveal is a new generation of the Nest Cam. While Google's teaser image shows a redesign, with a new look for the camera sensor, prior leaks suggest more is coming. The new indoor Nest Cam is rumored to feature a 2K video update, a significant jump in resolution that would improve image clarity and detail. Updates to the outdoor camera and doorbell are also expected to be part of the announcement.

In addition to hardware, Google is also focused on software. The teaser confirms that "Gemini is coming to Google Home," indicating that Google's advanced AI model will be integrated into the smart home experience. A new Gemini-powered speaker is also expected to be unveiled. This integration is likely to enhance the capabilities of Google Home devices, offering more intuitive and intelligent interactions.

Is that you, Gemini? Come in and make yourself at Home 🏠

Sign up for updates: https://t.co/V85WgPJvQN pic.twitter.com/JJaVRW385A

— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) September 2, 2025

This forthcoming event on October 1 marks the first official teaser for a new generation of Nest Cam products and signals Google's commitment to bringing its AI innovations to the smart home.

Google Home Voice Control for Lights Fails, Users Report Flickering.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Home’s voice control for smart lights is malfunctioning. Users report unresponsive commands and flickering bulbs even when the lights are connected properly
• Google has acknowledged the issue and suggests reconnecting light services in the Home app as a temporary workaround until a fix is released.

Users of Google Home and Assistant are experiencing problems with voice commands for smart lights. Many report that asking Google Assistant to turn lights on or off triggers flickering or fails entirely, causing frustration over disrupted automation routines. These issues have drawn attention from Android Police and user forums across multiple regions.

When users issue voice commands like “Hey Google, turn off the lights,” the Assistant often replies that the device is offline or does nothing at all. Some smart bulbs flicker repeatedly during the "off" state. In many cases, lights only respond when controlled via the Google Home app, suggesting that the problem lies with the Assistant’s voice interface rather than the connected bulbs.

Reports indicate that these glitches affect both "Made for Google" smart bulbs and third-party models connected via the Home app. Users across Reddit and support forums have shared that clearing the cache or rebooting devices generally fails to resolve the issue.

Google has publicly acknowledged the problem and confirmed it is working on a fix. A statement from the official Nest account reassures users that the issue is under investigation and that updates will follow soon.

Meanwhile, a temporary workaround is to reconnect smart light services from the Google Home app rather than resetting or repairing devices. This approach has worked for some users, although results remain inconsistent. Users also report that manually controlling lights through the app continues to work reliably.

Smart lighting is a core function in many homes using Google’s ecosystem. When voice commands fail or cause unintended flickering, it disrupts daily automation routines and undermines user trust. It also adds friction for users relying on Google Assistant for routine tasks. The issue comes at a time when users have voiced broader concerns about reliability in Google’s smart home platform. Google plans to address many of these issues with major updates later this year. 

Google Ends Nest Protect Production and Introduces First Alert Replacement.

Key Takeaway.

• Google has discontinued Nest Protect, replacing it with the First Alert SC5 alarm, compatible with existing devices and managed via the Google Home app.
• Google’s move reflects a broader shift toward third-party partnerships and away from legacy Nest hardware, raising questions about long-term device support.

Google has officially discontinued the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm after years of production. The company confirmed that existing units will continue to receive security updates until they reach their 10-year lifespan, but no new Nest Protect devices will be produced moving forward.

To fill the void, Google has partnered with First Alert to introduce the SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This new device is now featured on the U.S. and Canadian Google Store under the “Smoke & CO alarm” section, even though it isn’t directly sold through the store. Customers are provided with retailer links for both hardwired and battery versions.

The SC5 alarm is engineered to be compatible with existing Nest Protect units. It uses Google’s Weave or Thread protocol to interconnect alarms and integrates seamlessly with the Google Home app. Homeowners can check system status or silence alerts via either the First Alert app or Google Home.

SC5 Alarm Features and Set-Up.

The First Alert SC5 alarm includes modern detection capabilities, early voice alerts, and app-based silencing and testing. It lacks some features of the original Nest Protect, such as the pathway light, but retains robust smart-home integration. Users can easily replace a Nest Protect using the same mounting plate bracket, and the SC5 includes an adapter for existing Nest wiring harnesses.

Support for Nest Protect will continue through its lifespan. Google confirmed that alarms manufactured in 2024 will remain functional and serviced until 2034. Existing Nest Protect base plates remain compatible with the SC5 replacement.

Also Read: Google Raises Nest Aware Subscription Prices.

This product change emphasizes a broader shift in Google’s smart home strategy. Google appears intent on moving toward partnerships that support its Google Home ecosystem while phasing out in-house hardware it no longer updates. Products like the Nest x Yale Lock were also discontinued this year in favor of external replacements.

With no major Nest hardware refresh since 2021 for devices like the Nest Hub and Hub Max, this move may disappoint some users. Many in the smart home community have voiced concerns over declining device reliability and limited updates. Google recently acknowledged these frustrations and pledged major improvements tied to its Gemini AI-powered assistant this fall.

Google Acknowledges Home Assistant Glitches, Teases Major Gemini-Powered Upgrades.

Key Takeaway.

• Google admits reliability problems with Home and Nest Assistant and apologizes for user frustrations.
• The company plans significant Gemini-based upgrades this fall to improve performance and user experience.

Google has admitted that its Assistant for Home and Nest devices has been struggling with reliability issues and has promised significant improvements later this year. The announcement was made by Anish Kattukaran, the Chief Product Officer for Google Home and Nest, in a candid post on X (formerly Twitter) addressing growing user dissatisfaction (e.g. commands not executing or smart devices not responding).

In the post, Kattukaran expressed regret over the current user experience and reassured that Google has been working on long-term fixes. He also hinted at “major improvements” coming in fall 2025, likely in sync with the wider rollout of Gemini-powered enhancements already previewed in other areas of Google’s smart-home system.

Users Report Multiple Failures in Home Assistant.

Smart-home users have experienced frustrating behavior such as voice commands being misunderstood, routines failing to execute, and devices not responding at all. These issues seem more severe compared to previous years, which has led to increased public criticism. In response, Kattukaran stated, "We hear you loud and clear and are committed to getting this right," and emphasized that Google is dedicated to creating a reliable and capable assistant experience.

He acknowledged that the current state does not meet user expectations and offered a sincere apology for the inconvenience. The company is working on structural improvements designed to stabilize performance and restore trust before rolling out more advanced features.

What to Expect from Upcoming Gemini Integration.

Google has already introduced limited Gemini-powered upgrades across its product ecosystem. These include smarter search capabilities and more natural language home automations. The promise of major improvements this fall suggests that Gemini will play a central part in improving Assistant reliability, responsiveness, and overall smart-home control.

Kattukaran’s message indicates that this update will go beyond surface tweaks to address deeper architectural issues. It could cover better camera integrations, improved routines, and more robust voice control across all Home and Nest devices. Google plans to reveal details in the coming months, possibly timed with its Pixel 10 launch event.

Why This Matters.

A trustworthy voice assistant is now expected to integrate seamlessly with everyday smart-home devices. When lights refuse to turn on or routines break, it disrupts the convenience and confidence users have come to expect. Google’s open acknowledgement of these issues demonstrates accountability. More importantly, the company’s Gemini-driven focus shows it recognizes that better AI is the next step toward restoring reliability across its ecosystem.

Google Raises Nest Aware Subscription Prices as Hardware Lags Behind

Google is increasing its Nest Aware subscription fees effective mid-August 2025, marking another major price adjustment for home security users. The base Nest Aware plan will rise from $8 to $10 monthly (or $100 annually, up from $80), while the enhanced Nest Aware Plus plan jumps from $15 to $20 monthly (or $200 annually, up from $150).

What You Get For The Price.

• Nest Aware includes 30 days of event tracking, smart alerts for familiar faces, smoke/CO detection, and e911 support.
• Nest Aware Plus offers all the above, plus 60 days of event history and 10 days of continuous 24/7 recording, optimized for users with multiple cameras.

Google assures existing subscribers they can lock in current pricing if billed before August 15, 2025, or until any ongoing promotional pricing ends.

Subscribers are questioning the fee increase as Google’s Nest Cam hardware remains largely unchanged, lacking upgrades in resolution or night vision for over four years. The Nest Cam battery model, still capped at 1080p and black-and-white night vision, is increasingly outperformed by competing devices—some at similar or even lower prices—offering advancements like 2K resolution and color night shooting.

Tech reviewers and users note that rivals such as Arlo, Ring, Wyze, and Reolink provide superior features—like improved low-light performance, smarter AI detection, and local storage options—without steep subscription costs.

Is It Worth It?

While Google points to inflation and support for evolving features—like future Gemini-powered intelligence—as justification for the hike, critics argue these claims are weak without tangible hardware or software improvements. Many users facing a 25–33% rise in costs are considering switching to alternative brands offering better value or opting for local storage to avoid recurring fees.

The mid-August price increase for Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus is officially confirmed via subscriber emails and updated pricing online. While existing customers may benefit from temporary price locks, the broader market is divided: some remain loyal to Nest’s seamless ecosystem, while others migrate to more feature-rich, cost-effective alternatives as hardware stagnates.