Adding new Nest Cam battery to existing Nest Aware Plus subscription

[Pbonesteele]

I recently purchased the new Nest Cam (battery).  Installed per instructions using the Google Home app.  The Google Home app sees my pre-existing Nest devices (3 cameras, 2 thermostats), but my 3 pre-existing cameras no longer have video history available, only live video.  Only the new Nest Cam has video history available.  To see video history on the re-existing cameras I must use the Nest app … which can’t see the new Nest Cam.  So I have to use two separate applications to see the video history on all my devices.  I also cannot access camera settings for the pre-existing cameras via Google Home’s interface. The only thing Google Home will let me do with the pre-existing cameras is change their label.  Am I doing something wrong or is it just a grave oversight?  And what does my annual Nest Aware Plus subscription mean anymore if I can’t add new Nest devices to it?

[Mick]

Yeap..... I have another vendor for 3 CAM's and GOOG for 2 cams and a wired door bell. I was in the midst of transitioning from the other vendor to GOOG when the OUTDOOR IQ cam went end end-of-life back in January 2021. So, I have been waiting for close to 10 months for Nest Cam (Battery) to become available. Like you, I found that my installed base of GOOG gear is not supported well by the Home App.

So, I have been living in a bifurcated App world and it's been a pain. But, as I was transitioning to GOOG and would have migrated my "other" vendor to GOOG, I was willing to be patient. However, I will not be in a trifurcated app world, with the newest app (Home) having the absolute worst features and the crummiest UI of the three.

So, I sent my Nest Cam (battery) back today..... and will continue to use my current bifurcate app solution while I look for an alternative that is as good as my other vendor or the Nest functionality. But there is no way that I will stay with Google..... this experience completely killed any brand loyalty. 

[Brad]

Hi there,

Sorry for my late response. Thank you for all of your patience while waiting for a reply. I just wanted to make sure that your issue is addressed. I can definitely understand how frustrating your situation must be. I would love to help you find a solution to this issue. 

• Do you still need help with this issue?

• What troubleshooting steps have you done thus far? 

Please let me know if you need further assistance. 

Best Regards,

Brad. 

[rpegues]

I have the same issue. The Nest app is much more user friendly than the Google Home app, but I can't get my new battery outdoor cam setup in the Nest app with my older Nest Hello doorbell. Have to use two separate apps for the same brand (Nest) of Cameras. Completely ridiculous. Google employs hundreds of software developers, and they can't write drivers for each camera that will allow them to work in either (or both) apps? 

[Pbonesteele]

Hi Brad. Yes, I still have the same issue.  The new Nest Cam (battery) can only be viewed thru the Google Home app, but the rest of my pre-existing Nest cameras can only do 'live' video and also don't have access to any of their settings.  To see video history or settings on those cameras I have to go to the Nest app.  Also, in the Google Home app I can change temperature on my two Nest thermostats,  but can't access their schedules, settings, nor see the two remote Nest temperature sensors to adjust which sensor to use at which time of day.  I have to go to the Nest app for that.  I'm still living in a bifurcated world with Nest products.

If the new Nest products use a different SaaS infrastructure, it is incumbent on you the developer to keep that hidden and transparent from the end user.  I shouldn't have to KNOW that old and new products are handled differently.  It shouldn't obsolete the Nest products we've all been using productively and happily for several years.