Google assistant controlling Nest camera on & off

[tarotray]

I can manually switch my cameras on & off and I can stream them but I cannot use Google Assistant to switch them on & off. I can only use Home & Away to control it. What about switching it on, when going to bed or waking up? I just can't do that. This is unacceptable IMO. 

[EmersonB]

Hi tarotray,

Thanks for reaching out here in the Community. To confirm, do you have the old version of Nest Camera? Because if you do you may follow the steps on this link to program a schedule to your Nest Camera with the Nest app. In case you have the new version of Nest Camera which can only be controlled with the Google Home app, this feature is not available and we don't have any news to share about applying this to the Google Home app. We're always looking for ways to improve and we'll take it as feedback. Looking forward to your response.
 
Regards,
Emerson

[EmersonB]

Hello tarotray,

I'm dropping by to ensure that everything is covered here. How's it going with your Nest Camera? We would appreciate it if you could share the information I’m asking above. We'd be glad to hear from you.

Best,
Emerson

[tarotray]

I do not have the old version of the camera but the 'Nest Cam (indoor, wired - 2nd generation)'. I simply cannot accept that the old version has a critical feature that is not available in the new version. How could I accept that?

I absolutely need to be able to automate my camera, so that it has the usefulness that I expected, on purchase. It's not a question of improvement but of normal functionality, for a Google Nest product.

If I say to the assistant, "Nest Camera on" (I called it "Nest Camera"), I get the reply "Sorry. It looks like that device hasn't been set up, yet. You can do that in assistant settings.". But I cannot do that. I tried but it will not recognize the camera. Constantly searching, after I have scanned in the QR code and followed by, eventually, a message that I should move the phone closer to the camera, when it is centimetres from it, is unacceptable. 

I just now decided to remove the camera and reinstall it in assistant settings. I wne through the entire process and it appeared to be successful. It automatically named the camera "Living room camera" for me (it's in the living room). All good, so far. So, then I say "Living room camera off" and I get the reply "Sorry. I don't know how to help with that. Here are some other things you can try." and it offers me various living room lamps to control (or "Never mind" - but I do mind). 

I simply want to say "Living room camera off" or "Living room camera on" and for an appropriate response. N.B. I can say "Show living room camera" and it will, indeed show it. So, why must I show it on  my phone and click the 3 lines icon, then the 'Turn off" item to deactivate it. Why can I not do that with Google Assistant? 

[Lance_L]

Hi tarotray,

Thanks for the follow up information. I’m chiming in to ensure you've got the answer you're looking for.

You can't use the Google Assistant to turn on or off your Nest camera devices. However, you can use the Google Assistant to stream the video from the Nest camera. Have a look at this guide (see "Home security" section).

I totally understand that this is a good feature to use with your new Nest camera devices, but it isn’t available. I'd suggest you submit feedback about it. Let me know if you have other questions or concerns; otherwise, I’ll be locking this thread after 24 hours.

I appreciate the help, EmersonB.

Best,

Lance