Google has a mountain of obstacles to overcome with its new Nest speaker, cameras and doorbell and one of those is Amazon's budget-friendly Echo devices

Date:
Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:48:27 +0000

Description:
Details of four new Google Nest devices have leaked, but how do they weigh up against their rivals?

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During last weeks Made by Google event, we got an early glimpse of what appeared to be a new Google Nest smart speaker (sitting discreetly on a table beside F1 driver Lando Norris). Now, three more devices appear to have
leaked: a new version of the Nest Video Doorbell, and a pair of home security cameras. The details come courtesy of Android Headlines , which hasnt disclosed the identity of its source, but has included several pictures that seem to be from marketing material to back up its claims.

Based on the specs provided so far, it sounds very much like Google is taking the fight to Amazon, competing with Echo speakers, and Ring doorbells and cameras.

We dont have prices and release dates for the new Nest devices yet, but it seems unlikely that Google will be able to compete on cost alone. Amazons products are some of the cheapest smart home devices around, so Google is likely relying on the power of Gemini for Home to give it the edge. It might just do that, as Alexa+ continues to roll out at a glacial pace, but we'll have to get hands-on with both before we can compare the two directly.

On the subject of prices, Google is apparently renaming Nest Aware to Google Home Premium, with multiple paid tiers. These will presumably work in a similar way to Ring Home, with the most expensive option offering support for more devices, extra storage for videos, and additional AI-powered features. For more details on the different Ring payment plans that Google will be competing with, take a look at our complete guide to Ring Home subscriptions
.

Personally Im hoping for a package that bundles the best features of Google One AI Premium together with Google Home Premium for a lower price than the two separate services, but Im not going to hold my breath.

Unlike Amazon, Google is also facing a serious problem with disillusioned users who claim that their smart home devices are no longer working as advertised , throwing up error messages or failing to recognize commands. In fact, there are so many complaints that a US law firm has announced that it has "begun investigating a possible class action" .

The new Nest devices will have to be something really special to turn that around, so let's take a closer look. Nest speaker with 360-degree audio

First, the speaker. Early details are scant we already assumed that it would feature Google Gemini but Android Headlines' mystery source has gleaned a
few interesting snippets of information.

The new speaker will apparently offer some interesting AI-powered features, including one that will detect when youre away and watch out for worrying sounds that suggest someone may be trying to break into your home. This would tie the speaker into your home security system, together with the doorbell
and two security cams, so it makes sense that Google is apparently launching the trio together as AI-powered eyes and ears to guard your home.

Weve not been told anything about the silicon responsible for all of this,
but the new Nest speaker is presumably much more powerful than its predecessors, which were released before AI began wending its way into our homes, and therefore had much more modest processing requirements. (Image credit: Amazon)

The only other titbits that have been revealed are that the new Nest speaker will offer 360-degree sound, and can be paired with a Google TV streamer. It sounds as though it sits somewhere in between the existing Nest Mini and Nest Audio , aiming to provide the best of both worlds with both a relatively compact design and respectable audio quality.

Its closest rival appears to be the 4th-generation Amazon Echo, but the Nests 360-degree sound and inclusion of Gemini for Home could give it two big advantages. Although the Echo sounds good, and can be paired with a Fire TV streamer, its speaker is front-firing and its yet to receive the promised upgrade to Alexa+.

Amazon has promised that its AI assistant will be coming to its existing smart speakers , but hasnt said when, and Im guessing that most processing will need to happen in the cloud due to the Echos less powerful processor, which could result in more latency than youll get with the new Google Nest speaker. Doorbell with local storage (sort of)

Now lets take a look at the new Nest doorbell. Based on its specifications,
it sounds like Google will be competing directly with the current wired Ring Video Doorbell, but personally I think thats a risky strategy.

Video doorbells have come a long way in the last few years, and although Ring might still be the biggest name, its facing stiff competition from rivals
like Swann and Eufy, whose doorbells can store all your footage locally on an SD card without the need for a paid monthly plan (for more details, take a look at my guide to subscription-free video doorbells ).

According to Android Headlines, the new Nest doorbell will have some local storage, but only as a backup option in case it loses internet connectivity. It will keep an hour of video for you, but wont be an alternative to paid-for cloud storage.

The new Nest doorbells 2K resolution is another potentially limiting factor. Over the last year weve tested a couple of models that can record at 4K (namely the SwannBuddy4K and Lorex 4K Battery Doorbell ), and I wouldnt be at all surprised if we see a 4K Ring doorbell in the next year or so. By releasing a 2K model in late 2025, Google is at risk of being left behind. Philips, Eufy, and EZVIZ have all released excellent video doorbells that
give you full functionality and local video storage without a subscription plan (Image credit: Future)

Judging from the leaked 3D render, it looks like Googles new doorbell will only have one camera, which also surprises me. Its now standard for video doorbells to have dual cameras for a greater vertical field of view, allowing them to capture visitors faces as well as packages left on your doorstep,
with equal clarity. Without a bottom camera, the Nest model might not be able to see parcels effectively, potentially leaving them vulnerable to porch pirates.

Then there's the price. The latest Ring Doorbell wired costs just $49.99 / 49.99 / AU$89, whereas the most recent Nest Video Doorbell had a launch price of $179.99 / 249.99 / AU$329. Its unlikely that Google will be dropping its prices to match Ring, so I can only surmise that its relying on Gemini to
give the new Nest Video Doorbell the edge.

According to the leaked specs, the new Nest doorbell will offer features including Activity Zones, Garage Door Alerts, and Familiar Face Alerts all
of which will be familiar to current Nest doorbell owners plus new intelligent alerts that will send you a notification when an animal, person, or vehicle is spotted. Other doorbells offer something similar, so the Nest doorbells success will depend on how fast and accurate these all are, and how well the software can avoid false positives. "Who in the hell would want red cameras?"

For me, the new indoor and outdoor Nest security cameras sound much more tempting than the doorbell. Both of these are wired, though its possible that Google may release a battery-powered model at a later date.

Again, Google seems to be aiming to eat Rings lunch, and its new cams appear to be direct rivals to the plug-in versions of the Ring Indoor Camera and Outdoor Security Camera, but there are some significant differences.

The most obvious of these is their design. Were fans of Nests affordable and functional cams here at TechRadar, and they regularly find a place in our roundup of the best home security cameras , but I have to admit that theyre not particularly easy on the eye. Its definitely a case of function over
form. Ring cameras are functional, but not beautiful (Image credit: Future)

The new Nest cams have a friendlier look, with rounded bodies and mounts, and will reportedly be available in a range of colors - not just black and white
- so you can pick something that will blend better with your decor (or stand out, in the case of the red model).

Commenters on the Google Home subreddit seem to generally agree that the red option is an eyesore, but personally I like it as a way to let people know theyre being recorded - like a big red 'rec' button in your living room. You might think otherwise, though. Comment from r/googlehome

The only potential design downside for me is the lack of a physical privacy cover on the indoor cam. This would shield the lens and microphone when you want a moment to yourself, and is one of the features we appreciated when testing the latest Ring Indoor Camera.

Both of Googles new cameras will record at 2K, whereas the equivalent Ring cameras are limited to 1080p, and youll get the same Gemini-powered alerts
and notifications as you do with the new Nest doorbell too

Again, according to Android Headlines therell be a limited amount of local storage in case the camera loses Wi-Fi connectivity. If youre looking for a cam that will store all your videos locally and give you full control over them, take a look at our guide to subscription-free home security cameras . You might also like Are Philips Hue Essential bulbs the cheap smart lights we don't need? Swann's new subscription-free home security camera stays charged with just 45 minutes of sunlight per day Leaked Philips Hue hub can support over 150 bulbs, and turn them into motion sensors



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/google-has-a-mountain-of-obstacles-t o-overcome-with-its-new-nest-speaker-cameras-and-doorbell-and-one-of-those-is- amazons-budget-friendly-echo-devices


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