During last week’s Made by Google event, we got an early glimpse of what appeared to be a new Google Nest smart speaker (sitting discreetly on a table beside F1 driver Lando Norris). Now, three more devices appear to have leaked: a new version of the Nest Video Doorbell, and a pair of home security cameras. The details come courtesy of Android Headlines, which hasn’t disclosed the identity of its source, but has included several pictures that seem to be from marketing material to back up its claims.
Based on the specs provided so far, it sounds very much like Google is taking the fight to Amazon, competing with Echo speakers, and Ring doorbells and cameras.
We don’t have prices and release dates for the new Nest devices yet, but it seems unlikely that Google will be able to compete on cost alone. Amazon’s products are some of the cheapest smart home devices around, so Google is likely relying on the power of Gemini for Home to give it the edge. It might just do that, as Alexa+ continues to roll out at a glacial pace, but we’ll have to get hands-on with both before we can compare the two directly.
On the subject of prices, Google is apparently renaming Nest Aware to Google Home Premium, with multiple paid tiers. These will presumably work in a similar way to Ring Home, with the most expensive option offering support for more devices, extra storage for videos, and additional AI-powered features. For more details on the different Ring payment plans that Google will be competing with, take a look at our complete guide to Ring Home subscriptions.
Personally I’m hoping for a package that bundles the best features of Google One AI Premium together with Google Home Premium for a lower price than the two separate services, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
Unlike Amazon, Google is also facing a serious problem with disillusioned users who claim that their smart home devices are no longer working as advertised, throwing up error messages or failing to recognize commands. In fact, there are so many complaints that a US law firm has announced that it has “begun investigating a possible class action”.
The new Nest devices will have to be something really special to turn that around, so let’s take a closer look.
Nest speaker with 360-degree audio
First, the speaker. Early details are scant – we already assumed that it would feature Google Gemini – but Android Headlines’ mystery source has gleaned a few interesting snippets of information.
The new speaker will apparently offer some interesting AI-powered features, including one that will detect when you’re away and watch out for worrying sounds that suggest someone may be trying to break into your home. This would tie the speaker into your home security system, together with the doorbell and two security cams, so it makes sense that Google is apparently launching the trio together as AI-powered eyes and ears to guard your home.
We’ve not been told anything about the silicon responsible for all of this, but the new Nest speaker is presumably much more powerful than its predecessors, which were released before AI began wending its way into our homes, and therefore had much more modest processing requirements.
The only other titbits that have been revealed are that the new Nest speaker will offer 360-degree sound, and can be paired with a Google TV streamer. It sounds as though it sits somewhere in between the existing Nest Mini and Nest Audio, aiming to provide the best of both worlds with both a relatively compact design and respectable audio quality.
Its closest rival appears to be the 4th-generation Amazon Echo, but the Nest’s 360-degree sound and inclusion of Gemini for Home could give it two big advantages. Although the Echo sounds good, and can be paired with a Fire TV streamer, its speaker is front-firing and it’s yet to receive the promised upgrade to Alexa+.
Amazon has promised that its AI assistant will be coming to its existing smart speakers, but hasn’t said when, and I’m guessing that most processing will need to happen in the cloud due to the Echo’s less powerful processor, which could result in more latency than you’ll get with the new Google Nest speaker.
Doorbell with local storage (sort of)
Now let’s take a look at the new Nest doorbell. Based on its specifications, it sounds like Google will be competing directly with the current wired Ring Video Doorbell, but personally I think that’s a risky strategy.
Video doorbells have come a long way in the last few years, and although Ring might still be the biggest name, it’s facing stiff competition from rivals like Swann and Eufy, whose doorbells can store all your footage locally on an SD card without the need for a paid monthly plan (for more details, take a look at my guide to subscription-free video doorbells).
According to Android Headlines, the new Nest doorbell will have some local storage, but only as a backup option in case it loses internet connectivity. It will keep an hour of video for you, but won’t be an alternative to paid-for cloud storage.
The new Nest doorbell’s 2K resolution is another potentially limiting factor. Over the last year we’ve tested a couple of models that can record at 4K (namely the SwannBuddy4K and Lorex 4K Battery Doorbell), and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see a 4K Ring doorbell in the next year or so. By releasing a 2K model in late 2025, Google is at risk of being left behind.
Judging from the leaked 3D render, it looks like Google’s new doorbell will only have one camera, which also surprises me. It’s now standard for video doorbells to have dual cameras for a greater vertical field of view, allowing them to capture visitors’ faces as well as packages left on your doorstep, with equal clarity. Without a bottom camera, the Nest model might not be able to ‘see’ parcels effectively, potentially leaving them vulnerable to porch pirates.
Then there’s the price. The latest Ring Doorbell wired costs just $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$89, whereas the most recent Nest Video Doorbell had a launch price of $179.99 / £249.99 / AU$329. It’s unlikely that Google will be dropping its prices to match Ring, so I can only surmise that it’s relying on Gemini to give the new Nest Video Doorbell the edge.
According to the leaked specs, the new Nest doorbell will offer features including Activity Zones, Garage Door Alerts, and Familiar Face Alerts – all of which will be familiar to current Nest doorbell owners – plus new intelligent alerts that will send you a notification when an animal, person, or vehicle is spotted. Other doorbells offer something similar, so the Nest doorbell’s success will depend on how fast and accurate these all are, and how well the software can avoid false positives.
“Who in the hell would want red cameras?”
For me, the new indoor and outdoor Nest security cameras sound much more tempting than the doorbell. Both of these are wired, though it’s possible that Google may release a battery-powered model at a later date.
Again, Google seems to be aiming to eat Ring’s lunch, and its new cams appear to be direct rivals to the plug-in versions of the Ring Indoor Camera and Outdoor Security Camera, but there are some significant differences.
The most obvious of these is their design. We’re fans of Nest’s affordable and functional cams here at TechRadar, and they regularly find a place in our roundup of the best home security cameras, but I have to admit that they’re not particularly easy on the eye. It’s definitely a case of function over form.
The new Nest cams have a friendlier look, with rounded bodies and mounts, and will reportedly be available in a range of colors – not just black and white – so you can pick something that will blend better with your decor (or stand out, in the case of the red model).
Commenters on the Google Home subreddit seem to generally agree that the red option is an eyesore, but personally I like it as a way to let people know they’re being recorded – like a big red ‘rec’ button in your living room. You might think otherwise, though.
The only potential design downside for me is the lack of a physical privacy cover on the indoor cam. This would shield the lens and microphone when you want a moment to yourself, and is one of the features we appreciated when testing the latest Ring Indoor Camera.
Both of Google’s new cameras will record at 2K, whereas the equivalent Ring cameras are limited to 1080p, and you’ll get the same Gemini-powered alerts and notifications as you do with the new Nest doorbell too
Again, according to Android Headlines there’ll be a limited amount of local storage in case the camera loses Wi-Fi connectivity. If you’re looking for a cam that will store all your videos locally and give you full control over them, take a look at our guide to subscription-free home security cameras.
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