Nest Announces Cam IQ, a $299 4K Smart Home Camera With Facial Recognition

Nest unveiled a new smart security camera today called the Nest Cam IQ, an indoor 4K device capable of increasing footage resolution when it detects unusual or suspicious activity in the home.

Using built-in smart capabilities powered by Google's AI for facial recognition, the Nest Cam IQ is able to identify a person in its visual range, which automatically triggers a notification alert that includes a zoomed-in photo of the figure.

A variation on the same feature called "Supersight" appears in the mobile app feed, as a zoomed picture-in-picture inset of any figures identified in the camera's field of view. The Nest Cam IQ also tracks the subject as it moves and provides a close-up of the face to make it easier to spot identifying features.

Additional smart features are in store for Nest owners who sign up to a Nest Aware subscription, such as the ability to identify and remember family members and trusted familiar faces, as well as the ability to recognize specific audio cues like conversations and barking dogs.

Elsewhere, the Nest Cam IQ comes with a weighted base and tilting head, invisible infrared LED emitters, high-powered speakers, and a three-microphone array for improved background noise suppression and echo cancelation.

The Nest Cam IQ costs $299 in the U.S. and can be pre-ordered today on the company's website, which also sells the Nest Cam and Nest Cam Outdoor. Shipping is expected to start at the end of June.

Tags: Nest, security

Top Rated Comments

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WBRacing

14 months ago

The article states the subscription is additional for other features who sign up for a 'Nest Aware Subscription.' Rather it requires a subscription in general is another factor.

"Additional smart features are in store for Nest owners who sign up to a Nest Aware subscription, such as The ability to identify and remember family members and trust in their faces, as well as the Billy to recognize specific audio cues like conversations and barking dogs. "

Yeah I did research it enough to see that I could go without. Problem is that I would always feel that I wasn't getting the best out of it, without. I found the pricing though and I am too mean to pay that much each year, every year. Especially if they then decide to do an Apple / Adobe and up subscription prices due to currency fluctuation type excuses.

Rating: 3 Votes

gabicava83

14 months ago

CCTV with DVR nowadays allows Live stream and playback FREE, Comelit are very competively priced and very good. iOS app
Comelit View S by Comelit Group S.p.a.
https://appsto.re/gb/LA6bab.i (UK)

I think I worked out one Nest camera on 24 / 7 uses about 300GB a month surely this will effect users on the home network, slowing it down.

Plus the subcription cost as previously mentioned, for playback.

edit
its upto 380GB a month https://nest.com/uk/support/article/How-much-bandwidth-will-Nest-Cam-use

I'll pass, great thermostats and Nest Protect though.

I have Thermostat, very happy too. The protects are great too.

If this device allowed you to save locally to say a NAS, and or, use another third party storage service then I would purchase one. However, being forced for the subscriptions, no thanks.

It's a shame really, as I would really like to get some of these and use them in conjunction with my Synology.

Rating: 2 Votes

Sandstorm

14 months ago

I was interested, right up until I saw the subscription part. No thanks.

Yes, the subscription is optional, but it without it the Nest cameras are almost useless. I'd be fine paying some reasonable amount (for example, ideal solution would be if I could simply allocate some portion of my paid Google Drive space), but the Nest subscription is just too expensive. And on top of that - it's not even available in most of the world, only select countries!

The other thing I don't understand is why are Nest so slow with more smart home products (like video doorbells, locks, motion sensors etc).

Rating: 2 Votes

OldSchoolMacGuy

14 months ago

Primarily because they were just usually manufacturing thermostats along side Ecobee. Now they are venturing on the path of cameras and other products that the company has expanded upon. I think they're trying to finally size up to the rest of the competition and other products available on the market. Like you said, their services are not cheap.

It's Google. They need to make sure the products they put out collect the right type of customer information for their marketing and profits.

This new Nest allows them to work on AI facial identification. It allows them to build a database of faces which it can then link to people and profiles, allowing even more informed profiles for AdWords and other marketing opportunities where Google makes money.

It's amazing but Google is actually getting people to pay for a hardware device, then a subscription, in order to give Google more information to turn around and make more money. It's a brilliant business they run.

Rating: 2 Votes

WBRacing

14 months ago

I was interested, right up until I saw the subscription part. No thanks.

Rating: 2 Votes

FelixDerKater

14 months ago

They're already at the top end of the field in price. $299 for a single camera is ridiculous with the residual annual costs for subscription.

Rating: 1 Votes

deany

14 months ago

Rating: 1 Votes

centauratlas

14 months ago

I was interested, right up until I saw the subscription part. No thanks.

And turning over facial rec to Google...plus it doesn't appear to have HomeKit support.

Rating: 1 Votes

DanSteel

14 months ago

No HomeKit = no buy

For now living with the FLIR 4K and hoping they actually adopt HomeKit like they said they would. Quite happy with it too. Good quality. Zooming good. Lag is reasonable.

Rating: 1 Votes

oneMadRssn

14 months ago

Does anyone have any recommendations for a generic Wi-Fi-enabled camera and software that can run on an always-on Mac Mini for recording and accessing through an app?

Rating: 1 Votes

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