Google has announced the discontinuation of two major smart home products - the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector and the Nest x Yale smart lock, marking another step in the company's retreat from manufacturing smart home hardware.
The popular Nest Protect, which has been a common fixture in many homes since its launch before Google's $3.4 billion acquisition of Nest in 2014, will no longer be manufactured. While existing units remain available for $119 on the Google Store, supplies are limited.
Similarly, the Nest x Yale smart lock, introduced in 2018, will cease production. The lock, currently priced at $229, requires a $70 Nest Connect hub for remote control capabilities.
Google has partnered with third-party manufacturers to provide alternatives for both discontinued products. First Alert will introduce a new smart smoke and carbon monoxide detector priced at $129.99, featuring similar capabilities to the Nest Protect, including in-app early warnings, voice alerts, and compatibility with existing Nest Protect networks.
Yale will launch the Yale Smart Lock with Matter this summer, incorporating the Matter connectivity standard and Thread technology. While maintaining similar functionality to its predecessor, the new lock will not carry the Nest branding.
The company's shift away from smart home hardware manufacturing has become increasingly apparent, with no new releases in cameras, smart speakers, doorbells, or smart displays in recent years. Google appears to be focusing primarily on TV streamers and thermostats while relying on third-party partnerships for other smart home products.
Current users of both discontinued products need not worry, as Google will continue providing software and security updates for existing devices. The Nest Protect units will function until their standard 10-year expiration date, and the Nest x Yale locks will remain operational with ongoing support.