Google recently launched its newest smart security cameras, offering a significant upgrade in video quality and artificial intelligence for home surveillance. The wired Nest Cam Indoor (3rd gen) and Nest Cam Outdoor (2nd gen) — the doorbell will follow in early 2026 — are built to deliver richer data to the new “Gemini for Home” AI platform, promising users more intelligent alerts and unparalleled video detail.
These cameras are engineered to do more than just record; they interpret and understand events, bringing a new level of intelligence to home security.
KEY FEATURES FOR PEACE OF MIND
2K HDR Video: Both the Indoor and Outdoor models feature 2K HDR video, Google’s highest resolution yet. This boost in clarity is crucial for identifying intricate details and helps the cameras achieve a best-in-class image quality ranking by DXOMARK.
Expansive 152-Degree View: Users can monitor wider areas, as both cameras offer a sweeping 152-degree diagonal field of view, ensuring fewer blind spots, whether you’re monitoring a wide living space or an entire front yard.
Thanks to a new sensor and wider aperture, the cameras capture greater light sensitivity. This means they can hold onto rich, full-colour footage for longer at dawn and dusk, complementing the already powerful infrared night vision for continuous security in the dark.
AI Intelligence Included and On Demand
The new Nest Cams feature several functionalities right out of the box, with no subscription required:
- Intelligent Alerts: Receive precise notifications for people, vehicles, or animals, filtering out common false alarms from simple motion.
- Extended Included History: Google is doubling the included event video history from three to six hours of video clips, making it easier to check back on activity.
For subscribers to the Google Home Premium plan, the Gemini for Home platform unlocks advanced AI features, including:
- Detailed Notifications: Get specific alerts that add context, such as “dog jumps out of playpen.”
- Searchable History: Use the “Ask Home” feature to find video clips using natural language queries, like “What happened to the vase in the living room?”
- Home Brief: Get an AI-generated summary that condenses hours of footage into a quick, digestible daily recap.
The Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen) is available now for AU$189.00, and the Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd gen) is available for AU$239.99. Both are on sale now via the Google Store and major retailers.
Google’s blog also provided a glimpse into its audio hardware roadmap with the upcoming Google Home Speaker. Engineered to be the first audio device fully optimised for the Gemini for Home AI assistant, the speaker is designed for more natural conversations, delivers balanced 360° audio, and features a light ring for dynamic visual feedback. It also supports pairing two units for cinematic surround sound with a Google TV Streamer. The Google Home Speaker is currently slated for release in early 2026.
