# Google Now Integrates All Nest Cameras from 2015 Onward in the Home App for Enhanced Management
In a major enhancement for smart home aficionados, Google has introduced a public preview that incorporates all Nest cameras from 2015 onward into the Google Home app. This initiative streamlines the management of Nest cameras, including the Nest Cam IQ models from 2017, into one centralized platform, simplifying the way users control and oversee their devices without the need to toggle between apps.
## Key Information:
– **Centralized Control**: Google’s public preview now accommodates Nest Cam IQ (2017) models, consolidating all Nest cameras from 2015 onward within a single application.
– **Streamlined Experience**: Users can now enjoy features such as video history, camera settings, and live feeds all in one convenient location, removing the necessity to alternate between the Nest app and the Home app.
– **Enhanced Features**: The update also introduces advanced functionalities, including the ability to sync Nest cameras with smart lighting, view camera streams on devices like the Pixel Watch 3 and Google TV Streamer, and access live streams through the Favorites tab.
## A Long-Desired Integration
Google has progressively migrated Nest cameras to the Home app since late 2023. The rollout began gradually, focusing on newer models first. However, following the latest update, older Nest cameras, including the Nest Cam IQ indoor and outdoor variants from 2017, are now fully incorporated into the Google Home app.
This integration represents a notable change for users who have depended on the Nest app for years. With all Nest cameras easily accessible within one application, the previously essential Nest app is becoming redundant for many. The Home app provides a more integrated experience, enabling users to manage their entire smart home environment, including cameras, lighting, and additional devices, from a single interface.
## Essential Features of the Google Home App for Nest Cameras
Upon joining the public preview program, users can transition from the Nest app to the Home app and take advantage of various features, such as:
– **Event and Timeline Video History**: Users can access recorded events and a timeline of video history right within the Home app.
– **Camera Settings**: Users can modify all camera settings, including motion detection, notifications, and video quality through the Home app.
– **Live Streams**: Easy access to live camera feeds is possible via the Favorites tab, allowing real-time home monitoring.
– **Smart Home Integration**: Nest cameras can now be linked with other smart devices, like smart lights, to establish automations and routines. For instance, users can create automations where lights activate when motion is detected by a camera.
– **Cross-Device Viewing**: Camera streams can be monitored on different devices, including the Pixel Watch 3 and Google TV Streamer, enhancing the system’s flexibility.
## How to Join the Public Preview Program
To leverage these new features, users can participate in the Public Preview program through the Google Home app or by accessing [home.google.com](https://home.google.com). After enrolling, prompts will appear in both the Nest app and the Favorites tab in the Home app, guiding users through the transfer of their Nest cameras to the Home app.
For users hesitant about the transition, Google has reassured users that they can revert their Nest Cam IQ indoor and outdoor cameras back to the Nest app if they choose to. However, it should be noted that the Nest Hub Max has limited flexibility—once it’s transitioned to the Home app, it can’t be returned to the Nest app.
## Missing Features and Future Developments
While the shift to the Google Home app provides numerous advantages, several features from the Nest app are still absent. One significant missing feature is the **Supersight close-up tracking** capability from the Nest Cam IQ, which permits the camera to zoom in on and follow individuals as they move. Google has committed to transferring the best features from the Nest app, although it remains uncertain when—or if—this specific feature will be integrated into the Home app.
## Conclusion
Google’s initiative to consolidate all Nest cameras from 2015 onward within the Google Home app is a positive development for users seeking a more streamlined smart home experience. With functionalities like video history, live streams, and smart home integrations, the Home app provides a more comprehensive and user-friendly platform for managing Nest cameras. Although some features from the Nest app are still missing, the overall experience marks a significant enhancement, and forthcoming updates are likely to offer even greater functionality.
As the rollout progresses, users can anticipate a more unified smart home ecosystem, with all their devices accessible from a single hub. Whether you’re a seasoned Nest user or new to the Google Home ecosystem, this update promises to enrich your smart home experience.
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