- Google Home app will soon be compatible with Nest Protect smoke alarm
- You can receive alerts and adjust settings through Google Home
- Google Home is also getting 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 compatibility with Matter-enabled smart locks, allowing you to use more features through Google Home.
Nest Protect was launched in 2013, shortly before Google acquired Nest, and until now owners of the smart smoke detector could only use it through the Nest mobile app. Now that’s all changing, and as The Verge explains, you’ll soon be able to receive detection alerts, perform security and sound checks, and modify options through Google Home.
Google has been gradually 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 facilitate the switch. 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 fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat, but it wasn’t exclusive to owners of the new hardware. People using older Nest thermostats also noticed the changes aimed at pushing them toward Google Home.
Unlocked Features
Google Home is also getting improved support for Matter-enabled smart locks. Many of the best smart locks now support Matter, but using a non-manufacturer app may mean missing out on some important features. After the update, options such as the ability to set one-time passwords for visitors will be available from Google Home.
Android users who are enrolled in Google’s Public Preview program will be the first to receive the smart lock update. To join, open the Google Home app, go to the Settings menu, and select Public Preview under General. Tap “Request Invitation” and you’ll 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 for iOS devices later this year.
