Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Google gifts free Nest Hub to some Nest Aware subscribers

Subscribers to Google’s Nest Aware are getting treated to something sweet in the form of a free Nest Hub, the company’s first smart display. That’s a generous gift, obviously, since it normally sells for $100. On top of that, it certainly beats some of the other previous promotions Google has done in the past to hand out free Google Nest Mini smart speakers to its subscribers of YouTube Premium, Google Fi, Google One, and much more.

Redemption codes were sent out to Nest Aware subscribers and the terms in the emails detail that the offer is valid through July 31. Even though there seemed to be a hiccup initially with redeeming the offer, it looks as though they’re now functioning properly. That’s wonderful news to those that are on the new Nest Aware plan. However, it doesn’t seem like the offer is extended to subscribers to the old service. We reached out to Google for clarification, but haven’t received a response yet if legacy subscribers will be given the same offer.

Nest Aware recently launched the next iteration of its service last month in May, after being first introduced last fall during its event. The service previously offered a subscription service for its security cameras, like the Google Nest Cam, that offered event history and video storage for a period of days.

With the updated service, which starts at $6 per month, the new Nest Aware covers all Nest cameras, speakers, and smart displays — whereas the previous model of the service only covered a single device. Another advantage over the previous service is the ability to get in touch with emergency services from the Home app, which connects to the 911 center closest to your home no matter your location.

The Google Nest Hub can also leverage some of Nest Aware’s new features, like the ability to listen to specific sounds to alert users about potential problems. For example, it can listen for the distinct sound of a fire detector alarm going off, which would then send you a notification. Rather than forking over the $100 to pick one up, this should be a great addition to any budding smart home.

Editors' Recommendations

John Velasco
John is the Smart Home editor at Digital Trends covering all of the latest tech in this emerging market. From uncovering some…
The new Nest Doorbell has an hour of onboard video storage
Someone presses the Nest Video Doorbell in front of their home.

In the past, the Nest Doorbell has been a popular option thanks to its versatility and clear image quality, but the battery was always a consideration. The latest iteration of the video doorbell does away with the battery in favor of a hardwired connection, ensuring you never have to worry about the battery running out of juice. It also has another nifty feature: an hour of onboard video storage backup. This means that if your Wi-Fi drops, you'll still be able to see anything that happens (for an hour, anyway), and the footage will automatically be uploaded to your cloud storage as soon as the connection resumes.

Like other Nest products, you'll only get three hours of event video history on the free tier. To get 30 days of footage, you'll need to upgrade to Nest Aware at $6 per month or $60 per year.

Read more
What we want to see from Google’s fall event
google fall event 2022 smart home predictions made by

The next big Google event is slated for October 6, when the Made by Google livestream kicks off at 10 a.m. ET. Much of the hype surrounding the event is for the upcoming Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, but a few leaks and rumors have given us hope that there’ll be some big smart home announcements mixed in with the litany of smartphone reveals.

From confirmed reveals, early leaks, and everything in between, here are some smart home announcements we hope to see during Google’s October event.
Reworked Nest Doorbell

Read more
Best Google Assistant settings to update right now
google assistant mobile.

Do you talk to your digital assistant a lot? If Google is your virtual butler of choice, you already know it can be an invaluable and hands-free way to get information instantly. Google is constantly working to improve its A.I. helper, and some recent upgrades can help you get more from your Assistant.
What is Google Assistant?

Google Assistant is a virtual helper that can listen for your questions and respond to anything you ask. You can find Google Assistant on all Android devices and smartphones, and on Google smart home speakers like Google Home Hub or Google Audio speakers.

Read more