AppleInsider Staff
Alphabet's Nest this week rolled out an update to its app platform that allows owners to stream Nest Cam feeds directly to fourth-generation Apple TV units, while introducing a new video clip creation and sharing feature called "instaclip."
Nest is touting video clip creation and sharing, dubbed "instaclip," as the app update's main feature addition, but other improvements like activity notifications and a tweaked user interface also arrive for iOS 10 with Nest version 5.9.
As noted in a blog post on Thursday, instaclips can be used to capture and share impromptu holiday moments with friends and family. Powered by subscription service Nest Aware — a requirement for instaclips to work — the feature automatically detects potentially interesting action to create a short clip viewable in the Nest app.
Tapping on the "clip" icon generates a clip, while pressing and holding the same button lets users customize a clip's length. Instaclips can be uploaded to a customer's online archive, or stored on their iOS device for sharing.
In addition to instaclips, iOS users now get snapshots alongside activity alerts, a feature previously limited to Android devices. Those with Nest Aware are also receive short video clips viewable within a notification pane. The app also includes a new button that switches Nest Cam video feeds and history between fullscreen and portrait viewing modes without forcing users to rotate their iPhone.
Finally, fourth-generation Apple TV owners can download the new Nest tvOS app to access to live Nest Cam video feeds on the big screen. The app supports multiple homes linked to a single account, and is capable of displaying four live camera feeds on a single screen. Nest Aware customers also have access to history archives with activity indicators.
Nest on Thursday said Apple TV functionality was "coming soon," though the app and service appear to be live in the tvOS App Store.
Nest has yet to integrate HomeKit support into its product lineup, which would bring live video viewing and other functionality to Apple's home automation hub.
Nest for iOS and tvOS are free downloads from their respective App Stores.
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
18 Comments
I plead clueless on that, but... Are there really people who put an always on camera into their home and connect it to Google of all things? And if yes, when did protozoons pass us when it comes to intelligence?
What about the thermostat or protect?! Why aren't those in the ATV app?!
Wouldn't put Goog near my home, but that it has an Apple TV app is handy for business. Now all they need is a push notification for ATV an iOS when the sensor is triggered so when in living room you could one-click and you're watch a live robbing and recording it and phone cops as you watch it.
I am among the few who find this whole Google thing the most pervasive, insidious and evil invasion of your privacy anyone could imagine. Are people so stupid to have Google track everything they search, everything they buy, everyone they email and now you're going to let them see everything in your house, who you see, what they say. If through some or other service they can also access the microphone and camera on your phone, as well all its contents, they have the whole enchilada. "Do no evil"... my arse. So that's why the dropped the credo. I suppose we have a new generation of Lenin's "useful idiots" but this time there to serve Larry and Sergey.
Wake up people !!!