Skip to main content

Revolv smart home hub gets updated with new Android app and Nest compatibility

revolv smart home hub gets updated new android app nest compatibility box contents 1500x1000
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The smart home space has absolutely exploded in the past couple years, and as such, there are now a zillion different connected gizmos you can put your house — everything from smart locks, to lights, to automatic window shades. The only problem, however, is that this much-hyped Internet of Things is fragmented. Not all smart devices speak the same language. Some speak Zigbee, some speak Z-Wave, others only hablo Insteon, and the overwhelming majority only know WiFi or Bluetooth. And if they don’t speak the same language, they can’t work together.

Revolv aims to solve this problem. Armed with a whopping seven different radios underneath its hood, the device is designed to be something of a universal translator — it can speak to pretty much any smart device in the biz, and can also link them together. The idea is that this hub can unify all your different smart devices and give you access to their controls all from a single mobile app.

It’s a pretty brilliant idea, and when we reviewed Revolv earlier this year, we found that it does indeed solve a lot of the interconnectivity problems plaguing the smart home right now. There was, however, one big drawback. Back then, Revolv only worked with iPhone. If you were an Android user, you were out of luck and couldn’t use it.

Today, that changes. Revolv has finally announced its new support for Android and official integration with the popular Nest Learning Thermostat. Additionally, the company released an updated version of its iOS app.  Both Android and iOS apps are available today in the Google Play and Apple stores, respectively.

Revolv also added improved geofencing features to both apps, as well as support for multiple “authorized phones,” so it no longer turns off that Nest if an authorized user is still home. We haven’t had a chance to try out the new apps and features quite yet, but assuming they work as promised, this is a huge step forward for Revolv that solves what was arguably the device’s biggest drawback.

Find out more here.

Editors' Recommendations

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Echo Show 8 vs. Nest Hub: Does Amazon or Google offer the best smart display?
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen on table.

Anyone in the market for a reasonably priced smart display has probably stumbled across the Echo Show 8 and Nest Hub. Both clock in at under $150 (often less when on sale) yet provide homes with many of the same features found on premium alternatives like the Nest Hub Max and Echo Show 10.

But is the Echo Show 8 better than the Nest Hub? And what exactly is the difference between these two smart displays? Here's a comprehensive look at both to help you decide which one to bring into your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Hub Max vs. Echo Show 10: which is the better smart display?
The Nest Hub Max on a table.

The world of smart displays is dominated by two companies -- Amazon and Google. Amazon is responsible for the Echo Show 10, while Google is behind the Nest Hub Max. Both offer large screens, access to a massive roster of apps, and the ability to connect (and control) the rest of your smart home. There are a lot of similarities between the two popular displays, but there are a few key differences you should be aware of before adding one to your home.

Here's a closer look at the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max to help you decide which is best.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Hub Max vs. Skylight Cal Max: Which is best for your home?
The Cal Max showing a picture while placed near a shelf.

The Nest Hub Max is one of the most premium smart displays available. Offering a vibrant screen, support for tons of apps, and the ability to sync with Google Home, it's a well-rounded and versatile smart display. The recently revealed Skylight Cal Max is a radically different sort of device -- but it's still contending for the same spot in your kitchen. Instead of offering tons of apps and services, it's a streamlined smart calendar that wants to simplify your life.

Trying to decide between these two premium displays? Here's a look at the Nest Hub Max and Skylight Cal Max to help you figure out which is best for your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more