Skip to main content

Nest emphasizes style and safety with new thermostat colors, security camera features

nest thermostat security camera updates 14231314 1297756813602014 3741942969076728217 o
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Your smart home is about to get a lot sexier. And safer, too. Bringing style to the aesthetic wasteland that was once home heating and cooling is Nest, whose emphasis on design and automated capabilities has long differentiated it from the rest of the field. That effort continues with changes to the Nest Thermostat, which is now available in three new finishes — white, black, and copper. Nest has also updated its home security systems with new hardware and software.

“We think you should be proud of anything that’s on your wall. It’s your home and your style. It says so much about you,” Nest said in a blog post announcing the new line of thermostats on Thursday. “Since every house has a different style, we first chose the Nest Thermostat’s modern, refined stainless steel to complement any room. Now, in three new colors, it will shine in any setting.”

Recommended Videos

And while different styles come and go, Nest is banking on the notion that saving energy — and by extension, money — will always be in. Already, the company says, its thermostat has saved users some 8 billion kilowatt hours of energy. Nest is hoping to increase that number by sending more Nests into more homes around the United States and across the world. And that means giving the people what they want — design-wise, of course.

The Nest team also announced improvements to its security cameras on Thursday. A new software update to Nest’s Wi-Fi-connected cameras — both the Nest Cam Indoor and the Nest Cam Outdoor — brings something called Sightline, which “shows you what Nest Cam has seen and lets you speed through days of recorded video in seconds.” By extracting key footage so you don’t have to wade through hours of viewing, you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking for in no time at all. Nest has also added person alerts so nobody goes unnoticed — though a tree swaying in the wind won’t trigger any alarms.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Google’s new Nest Learning Thermostat looks like a work of art
Someone adjusting the temperature on the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen).

Google’s an old hand in the smart home space. Thirteen years ago, it introduced the Nest Thermostat, a first-generation model that intelligently manages utility use, making monitoring easier. We’re now on our fourth generation, with a newly announced — and, frankly, stunning — Nest Learning Thermostat that also comes with a redesigned Nest Temperature Sensor.

The new Nest Thermostat was announced alongside the new Google TV Streamer and came a week ahead of Google's fall Pixel event.
A really stunning design

Read more
It looks like big changes are coming to the Nest Learning Thermostat
The leaked Nest Learning Thermostat

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the best smart thermostats on the market -- and it looks like it might be getting a massive overhaul later this year. Images leaked on X (formerly Twitter) show off a device with a borderless design, customizable home screen, and a new feature known as "Dynamic Farsight."

While nothing official has been announced by Google, these images and documents appear to be legit. And with the Made by Google event arriving on August 13, there's a very real possibility Google will give the next-gen Nest Thermostat a proper reveal in the coming weeks.

Read more
Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen): Which is the better security camera?
The Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam on a wooden shelf.

One of the newest members of the Ring family is the Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, offering a 360-degree view of your home. It's certainly a nifty indoor security camera, but since it’s a bit more expensive than the existing Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), you might be wondering which is best for your smart home.

Thankfully, it's hard to go wrong with either. Both products are great at protecting your home, and both are likely to last for years before running into issues. But if you're trying to get the most out of your purchase, here's a complete look at the Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam and Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) to help you decide which is better for your needs.
Pricing and monthly fees

Read more