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Google’s new Nest Cams save video clips without the need for a subscription

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If you’ve been considering the addition of an indoor, outdoor, or doorbell security camera to your home, there’s great news on the horizon. A revamp of Google’s Nest Cam lineup brings a host of new hardware and a suite of all-new features that we’re eager to see in action. The latest hardware includes the 2021 editions of the Google Nest Cam, Google Nest Cam Indoor, Google Nest Cam with Floodlight, and the Google Nest Doorbell.

While each new device brings its own unique set of features (more on that below), one shared ability among the four is that you’ll be able to store up to three hours of recorded video in Google’s cloud without the need for a Nest subscription of any kind — although paying for a monthly membership will net you an expanded set of Nest Aware exclusives.

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The Google Nest Cam Indoor on a table.
Google Nest Cam (Battery) Image used with permission by copyright holder
The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight mounted on a house.
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google nest cam wired battery floodlight specs price release fog cropped
Goolge Nest Cam (Wired) Image used with permission by copyright holder

In years past, those without a Nest Aware subscription would only receive a stagnant event image whenever a Google Nest Cam would be triggered. Three hours of cloud-based storage is a big deal, especially in situations where recorded video can help authorities identify subjects perambulating your property. Most DIY surveillance devices require some kind of monthly fee for any kind of video storage, which grants Google a massive leg up when it comes to the competition.

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For those seeking that extra peace of mind, you can opt in to the $6 per month Nest Aware plan, which gets you up to 30 days of event video history, familiar face detection, and the ability to call 911 directly from your Google Home app. The $12/month Nest Aware Plus membership bumps 30 days of storage up to 60, along with the ability to record continuous video for up t0 10 days on wired Nest Cam products.

Finger pressing button on the Google Nest Doorbell (2021).
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The new Google Nest Cam (battery) is Google’s very first indoor/outdoor battery-powered camera that comes with an optional indoor base and a magnetic mount for $179. Complementing that is the $100 Google Nest Cam (wired) which, as its name implies, is a wired-only surveillance camera, but more importantly, it’s Google’s lowest-priced security cam ever. The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight ($280) is a wired floodlight cam with plenty of customization options and intuitive motion detection that won’t trigger the cam when a car drives down the street. Last but not least is the Google Nest Cam Doorbell ($180) that will work with your home’s existing doorbell chime and comes in four different colors. Unlike the previous Google Nest Hello Doorbell, this new model is truly wireless because it’s battery-powered.

The Nest Cam and Nest Cam Doorbell are available for pre-order and go on sale on August 24. Google promises that the Nest Cam with Floodlight and Nest Cam Indoor are “coming soon.”

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Michael Bizzaco
Michael Bizzaco
Michael Bizzaco has been writing about and working with consumer tech for well over a decade, writing about everything from…
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