- The Google Home app will soon support the Nest Protect smoke alarm
- You will be able to receive alerts and adjust settings through Google Home
- Google Home also gets better support for Matter-enabled smart locks
The Google Home app is getting a major update that will add support for the Nest Protect smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector. It will also improve support for Matter-enabled smart locks, allowing you to use more of their features through Google Home.
Nest Protect was launched in 2013, shortly before Google bought Nest, and until now owners of the smart smoke detector have only been able to use it through the Nest mobile app. Now that’s all about to change, and as The Verge explains, you’ll soon be able to receive registration alerts, run security and audio checks, and adjust options through Google Home instead.
Google has been encouraging users to move away from the Nest app for a long time, and last year it gave Google Home a much-needed overhaul to make the switch easier. The tweaks included changing the interface so that certain key functions associated with smart thermostats are no longer hidden behind icons, making it less streamlined but more intuitive to use.
The update arrived just before Google launched the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen, but it wasn’t exclusive to owners of the new hardware. People using older Nest thermostats also noticed the changes to push them towards Google Home.
Features unlocked
Google Home also gets improved support for Matter-enabled smart locks. Many of the best smart locks now support Matter, but using a non-manufacturer app can mean missing out on some important features. After the update, options like the ability to set one-time passwords for visitors will be available from Google Home.
Android users enrolled in Google’s public preview program will be the first to receive the smart lock update. To participate, open the Google Home app, go to the Settings menu, and select Public Preview under General. Tap ‘Request Invitation’ and you will receive an invitation to install a beta version of the app. You can leave the program at any time.
The update is expected to roll out to iOS devices later this year.
