Google rolls out new Nest Cam features to Google Home for web

By Jon Bitner Published March 18, 2024

Nest Cams on a counter. — Nest

While many users access Google Home on their smartphone or smart display, the platform is also available via web browser. The web-based Google Home experience wasn’t exactly the best way to access your smart devices, but that’s rapidly changing as Google rolls out new updates to the client — the latest of which adds a ton of new ways to access your Nest Cams.

Google began rolling out the update late last week, and most users should now have access to the improved Google Home for web experience. The big draw is access to your Nest Cam history and the option to download clips. Prior to this update, it was impossible to view recorded clips via Google Home for web, forcing you to instead jump into the official Google Home app.

The updated Google Home for web app. — Google

Other notable additions to the platform include the ability to customize your video clips and access to Public Preview content. Google notes that the custom clips functionality will be “rolling out over the next few weeks” and will support Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell products. If you can’t access the new functionality yet, you might need to wait a few more days for the update to reach your account.

If you’re a fan of testing out new features before they go live, be sure to check out Public Preview. This gives you access to up-and-coming features — though you might run into a few bugs during use. Now that this program is available to Google Home for the web, here’s a look at some of what you can access:

A script editor for Google Home automation.
Garage door detection for Nest Aware members
Added support for first-gen Nest Cams

Keep in mind you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription to access most of these features, which starts at $8 per month. To check out the updated Google Home for web platform, head over to home.google.com.

Topics

Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…

Smart Home

Blink Mini 2 vs. Nest Cam (Indoor): Which is the better affordable security camera?

The Google Nest Cam Indoor on a table.

The Blink Mini 2 and Google Nest Cam (Indoor) are two of the best budget security cameras on the market. They both cost less than $100, are easy to set up, and are packed with features despite their low price. You can't go wrong adding either to your home, but there are some key differences to understand if you're looking to get the best security camera for your property.

From pricing and ongoing fees to resolution and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Blink Mini 2 and Nest Cam (Indoor) to help you decide which is the better security camera for your smart home.
Pricing and monthly fees

Smart Home

How to use the Google Home app on a computer

Google Home icon on home screen.

Google Home makes it easy to manage all your smart devices through your smartphone or tablet. Giving you access to your camera feeds, smart thermostat, smart lights, and more, Google Home is one of the most popular smart home platforms on the market. But while there's a lot to love about Google Home, it lacks full PC support. However, that's slowly starting to change – here's a look at how to use the Google Home app on your PC and control your devices from a larger display.
Can you use the Google Home app on a PC?
Google Home doesn't have a PC app, but it does have a website. Unfortunately, Google notes that Google Home for web is in Public Preview, meaning not all features are available and you may encounter glitches during use. The website is seeing constant updates, so there's a good chance it'll work just as well as the mobile apps in the future. Be sure to check it out regularly to see what's been added.

There are a few other workarounds you can implement to get Google Home on your PC. Read on to learn about the alternatives.
Use Google Home through your Chromebook

Smart Home

The most common Google Nest Mini problems and how to fix them

A coral Google Nest Mini mounted on a brick wall.

The Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen) is one of the best smart speakers of 2024. Despite its low price, the Nest Mini gives you full access to Google Assistant, provides surprisingly great audio for a device its size, and is compact enough to fit nearly anywhere in your home. Whether you want to listen to music, dish out commands to other smart devices, or check the news, the Nest Mini can do it all.

However, the Nest Mini isn't without its faults. Setting up and using the smart speaker is typically a straightforward, hassle-free experience. But like all electronics, some owners have noticed strange issues when performing simple tasks — such as connectivity problems or an unresponsive unit.