I recently sold my house that had some Nest cameras which I was very happy with. I’m closing on a new place and had planned to get new Nest cameras for it, but this morning I received an email from Google with the following text. I don’t want AI integration for my cameras, so will be looking for a different solution.
Nest Aware is being upgraded to become Google Home Premium, evolving from a camera subscription into a service for your whole home. We’re unlocking the power of AI to make your home smarter, safer, and more effortless with Gemini for Home.1,2
With Gemini for Home, your Nest Cams and Doorbells, and compatible smart home devices get more powerful AI security features, and your Google and Nest speakers and displays get a more helpful voice assistant.1,3
What’s new?
Google Home Premium unlocks a range of new capabilities with Gemini for Home across your smart home devices. We’ve also brought new improvements to all Nest Cams.1
Standard plan (formerly known as Nest Aware)
- Gemini Live immersive conversational AI1,3
- Easy home automations with Help me create1,3,4
- Intelligent alerts with zoomed-in previews1
- 30 days of full event video history1,5
Advanced plan (formerly known as Nest Aware Plus)
- AI descriptions explain each camera event1,3,6
- AI notifications update alerts with a description1,3,6
- Ask Home video history search1,3,6
- 60 days of event-based history and up to 10 days of continuous video recording1,5
Learn more about Google Home Premium, device eligibility, and new features here.
1 Some features available initially on select devices in select countries and languages, and expanding through early 2026. Learn more.
2 Subscription services may be required for certain content.
3 Requires Google Home app, Wi-Fi, and internet connection. Features subject to change; available in select countries and languages. Gemini features work independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy; results may vary.
4 Home automations may require additional enrollment and setup, and depend on working internet, Wi-Fi and service availability for compatible smart home devices (sold separately) included in the automations.
5 Some features, including mobile and browser notifications, remote control, and sound detection, video recording, video streaming and video history require the Google Home app and working internet and Wi-Fi.
6 Requires Google Home Premium Advanced plan.
Just to offer another solution, I’m currently using BlueIris with Reolink for PoE cameras and Tapo for wifi cameras. The Tapo cameras have been fantastic in terms of uptime for a wifi camera and they also support ONVIF. BI is a bit annoying to learn but it seems to support everything I want so far. I’ve been using this setup for 3 years now and I don’t really have any complaints which is probably a good thing.
It’s been a set it up once and forget it experience for me. Adding new cameras is as easy as copying a configuration for an old camera and reusing it for new cameras.
With how reliable Tapo wifi cameras have been I’ve just been grabbing one whenever I wanted to monitor anything and then just set it up and forget it and it just works. In contrast I’ve had issues with wifi cameras disconnecting in the past. I’ve only tried reolink and wyze though.