The Nest Secure is an alarm system that integrates with some of Nest’s other products. Here’s the latest news including release date, price and features
Just as it did with the humble thermostat, Nest has worked its magic on home alarm system. Except this time, it’s by no means the first smart home company to do so.
There are lots already on sale, including Y-Cam’s Protect, but it could be the Nest touches that persuade you to hand over your cash.
It’s a modular system, but a starter pack which includes Nest Guard, two Nest Detects and two Nest Tags, costs US$499. There’s no official UK price yet, but it could be £499. That’s a lot.
Extra Nest Detects cost $59 each and Nest Tags are $25. A cellular backup service will be available on nest.com for $5 per month or $50 per year.
You can pre-order a kit on nest.com and the Secure will go on sale in November. That’s in the US. If you’re in the UK, Europe or Canada, you’ll have to wait until some time next year – no exact date has been announced.
Secure is a system that’s made up of three components: the main unit (Guard) plus sensors (Detect) and Tags.
The Guard is an all-in-one siren, motion detector, keypad and status LED.
The Detect sensors combine motion and open/close sensors in one package, so you don’t need to buy and install so many separate sensors.
Tags are used to arm and disarm the system: you simply tap it on the Guard when you get home and you don’t then have to enter a passcode. If someone loses a tag, that specific one can be disabled via the companion app.
If someone does break in, the alarm will go off, you’ll get a notification on your phone and – yep, you guessed it – you’ll see a live video feed if you also have a Nest camera.
The Guard is mains powered, but there’s a battery backup if there’s a power cut. And like the £149.99 Y-Cam Protect, there’s an optional subscription to a cellular service should your router’s Wi-Fi or your broadband connection go down.
