Here's how you can access the new platform
Google has begun rolling out a web version of the Google Home app, finally giving Nest users the ability to view live camera feeds from their desktops.
The long overdue web portal, which was hinted at by the company over a year ago, is currently in its early stages ahead of full functionality over the coming weeks. The gradual rollout means it’s already available to some users, though ‘Google Home for web’ – as it’s imaginatively named – will be more widely available from next week.
When it is, users will be able to use it to turn cameras and doorbells on and off, as well as check their status. Battery-powered cameras, for example, can be woken up by selecting them, and users will also have the option to view all their devices at once or individually through a full-screen view.
Google has also indicated that more features relating to cameras will follow, with the following devices set to be supported:
- Nest Cam (battery) and Nest Cam (wired)
- Nest Cam with floodlight (wired)
- Nest Doorbell (battery), Nest Doorbell (wired) and Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen)
- Nest Cam Indoor
- Nest Cam Outdoor
- Nest Cam IQ Indoor
- Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
For us at least, the web app’s landing page currently takes us to a generic Google Home marketing page. However, when it is given the full treatment, it appears it’ll be a very straightforward process to access it.
You’ll be able to jump straight into home.google.com and through the sign-in page, just as you would through the iOS or Android app, and immediately view all your devices.
This is great news for owners of both new and old Nest doorbells and cameras, of course – especially given that Nest did offer this feature to pre-2021 devices through its old web portal.
We’ll offer a thorough guide of everything you need to know once it launches fully, but, for now, stay tuned.
