Hi everyone,
Thanks for reaching out to the community! I appreciate you sharing your feedback on the changes to the Nest app and its integration with Google Home. We appreciate you taking the time to voice your experiences.
We understand many of you may disagree, especially those with 1st generation Nest devices (cameras, thermostats, Nest Protects) or those using third-party apps like Alexa. The transition has created challenges, and we recognize concerns when device functionality seems affected by software updates. These changes are not a planned obsolescence strategy. Our goal is to enhance your smart home experience by providing a more robust, unified platform through the Google Home app. This app supports advanced features like automations, subscriptions, and special alerts for our 2nd generation devices, which require its updated infrastructure.
We acknowledge your concerns about device lifespans, especially with Nest Protects. Safety devices like these have specific lifespans due to sensor limitations (e.g., CO sensors typically last 10 years from the manufacturing date for optimal safety). We also recognize the inconvenience caused by changes in how Nest devices interact with platforms like Alexa and other smart home systems, as well as any difficulties with user access or control after migration. We're actively working to improve these areas for a smoother user experience.
Your insights are valuable as we refine our services and devices. To learn more about your experiences, we encourage you to use our feedback form. There you can tell us more.
We hope this clarifies our intentions and addresses some of your concerns. Feel free to reach out with more questions.
Best regards,
Debora
