Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

Google's too-smart-for-own-good Nest Protect alarm is back on sale

Go ahead, wave hello ... it won't switch off this time

Google's Nest smart smoke alarm is back on sale at a lower price after being withdrawn from store shelves for nearly a month because of a safety issue.

"We're very pleased that Nest Protect is once again available to customers," Nest marketing chief Doug Sweeny said in a blog post. "And now, the price is $99 to make it accessible to as many people as possible."

Previously the internet-connected gadget, which combines a smoke detector with a carbon monoxide monitor, retailed for $129.

Google's Internet of Things division was forced to issue a patch to all current Nest Protect owners in May after it was discovered that making random hand gestures could sometimes switch the alarms off without their owners knowing it.

The patch was applied as an over-the-air update and customers didn't need to do anything to get it, but Nest also halted sales of new alarms while it applied the software fix to its existing stock.

Nest, which Google acquired in January for $3.2bn, faces mounting competition in the market for so-called smart home devices, with Apple also wanting in on the home automation business with its new HomeKit APIs.

In addition to Nest Protect, the company also markets Nest Thermostat, an energy-saving appliance that learns your temperature preferences and which you can control with your smartphone. Both products are available from Nest's online store or from Google Play. ®

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like