Google slammed over ‘utter nonsense' video doorbell subscription fee hike – three alternatives people are switching to
ALARM BELL Google slammed over 'utter nonsense' video doorbell subscription fee hike – three alternatives people are switching to
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HOUSEHOLDS using Google's home security gadgets have hit out at the company's decision to raise subscription fees.
Nest is a popular rival to Ring, with doorbell and video camera devices among the portfolio.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Google acquired Nest for $3.2billion in 2014
Credit: Getty
2
Customers will have to pay at least £2 / $2 more a month for their subscription
Credit: Getty
The devices are free to use for live monitoring and answering to whoever is knocking at the door.
But much like Ring, if you want to store video recordings in the cloud you'll need to pay a subscription fee.
Well, that fee is rising from next month and customers have called it "utter nonsense".
"I'd rather throw my Nest devices in the trash and outlay the upfront cost for another brand rather than be subject to another price increase," one user raged on Reddit.
"It's getting hard to support Google/Nest when they keep f***ing us over," another commented.
"We have had Nest Aware for many years now and after today's email enough is enough," a third person wrote.
The increases are coming for customers in the UK and US.
Nest Aware, which provides 30 days of event video history, is going up by £2 / $2 a month to £8 / $10.
For an annual subscription, it'll now set you back £80 / $100, up from £60 / $80 previously.
Nest Aware Plus, which gives you 60 days of event video history as well as bonus 24/7 video history, is being hiked too.
Black bear stuns homeowners by ringing doorbell
Until now, you'd have to pay £12 / $15 per month, but going forward it'll be £16 / $20, an increase of £4 / $5.
The same goes for annual subscriptions, which jump from £120 / $150 a year, to £160 / $200.
"Subscription prices can change to keep up with market shifts, which can include inflation and local tax updates," Google says.
"We'll notify you through email at least 30 days ahead of a price increase in your country or territory."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Ring's flying ‘spy drone' that monitors your home in the AIR ‘coming soon' – it stalks burglars & even recharges itself
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RING'S flying home drone could be launching soon after several years of teasing, according to reports. The Always Home Cam was first announced in 2020 and was slated to hit shelves in 2021 - but it never landed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase Credit: Ring 8 It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available Credit: YouTube/Ring The gadget is the brainchild of recently returned Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff, who has been testing the indoor flying camera in his office, according to Business Insider. Siminoff may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources. Despite a 2021 launch that never really arrived, Ring showed off the flying security cam at CES in 2023. The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase. Once it has scouted the perimeter, it flies back into its compact cradle when it recharges. Ring, owned by Amazon, touts the gadget as a way for privacy-hawkish homeowners to be "in two places at once". "Some indoor cameras just monitor the room. Ours can move around it when you're away," Ring says on the gadget's product page. "Left a window open or the stove on? Create flight paths ahead of time so you can manually check in with the Ring App from anywhere." The security device won't be able to fly manually, work outside or zoom from one floor of the home to the other, according to Siminoff. But you can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from. Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus watches your front door & doesn't need any wires It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge. The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available. "Instead of simply encouraging customers to buy more cameras and set them up in more locations around the home, how could we solve this problem with one solution?" Siminoff noted in a Ring blog post. "We wanted to create one camera that could give users the flexibility of every viewpoint they want around the home, while delivering on our founding principles of privacy and security." 8 The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80) Credit: YouTube/Ring 8 The rise in autonomous vehicle technology has meant parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product Credit: YouTube/Ring Siminoff, who founded Ring in 2013 before it was snapped up by Amazon, has reportedly been working on this drone concept for years - long before the acquisition. However, parts were so expensive initially that the cam would have cost an eyewatering $2,000 to sell at retail. But with the rise in autonomous vehicle technology, parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product. The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80). Though some privacy campaigners say there's no price they would pay to install a security drone in their own home. Despite it only having a camera and no microphone, unlike Ring's popular doorbells, critics argue that the very concept of a flying surveillance camera in the home is problematic. "It's difficult to imagine why Amazon thinks anyone wants flying internet cameras linked up to a data-gathering company in the privacy of their own home," Silkie Carlo, of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, told the BBC when the gadget was first unveiled. "It's important to acknowledge the influence that Amazon's product development is having on communities and the growing surveillance market." 8 You can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from Credit: Ring 8 The device may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources Credit: YouTube/Ring
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Ring's flying ‘spy drone' that monitors your home in the AIR ‘coming soon' – it stalks burglars & even recharges itself
RING'S flying home drone could be launching soon after several years of teasing, according to reports. The Always Home Cam was first announced in 2020 and was slated to hit shelves in 2021 - but it never landed. 7 7 7 The gadget is the brainchild of recently returned Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff, who has been testing the indoor flying camera in his office, according to Business Insider. Siminoff may be launching the device soon in "limited quantities", according to sources. Despite a 2021 launch that never really arrived, Ring showed off the flying security cam at CES in 2023. The drone flies automatically around the home, with some obstacle avoidance technology so that it doesn't crash into ceiling light or precious vase. Once it has scouted the perimeter, it flies back into its compact cradle when it recharges. Ring, owned by Amazon, touts the gadget as a way for privacy-hawkish homeowners to be "in two places at once". "Some indoor cameras just monitor the room. Ours can move around it when you're away," Ring says on the gadget's product page. "Left a window open or the stove on? Create flight paths ahead of time so you can manually check in with the Ring App from anywhere." The security device won't be able to fly manually, work outside or zoom from one floor of the home to the other, according to Siminoff. But you can give it predetermined routes around the home that it cannot stray from. Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus watches your front door & doesn't need any wires It can also only fly one floor at a time, and has a limited flight time of just five minutes on a single charge. The idea is to scrap multiple plug in cameras around the home and have just one patrolling drone available. "Instead of simply encouraging customers to buy more cameras and set them up in more locations around the home, how could we solve this problem with one solution?" Siminoff noted in a Ring blog post. "We wanted to create one camera that could give users the flexibility of every viewpoint they want around the home, while delivering on our founding principles of privacy and security." 7 7 Siminoff, who founded Ring in 2013 before it was snapped up by Amazon, has reportedly been working on this drone concept for years - long before the acquisition. However, parts were so expensive initially that the cam would have cost an eyewatering $2,000 to sell at retail. But with the rise in autonomous vehicle technology, parts have become cheap enough to sell as a consumer product. The Always Home Cam has been priced at $249.99 (£185.80). Though some privacy campaigners say there's no price they would pay to install a security drone in their own home. Despite it only having a camera and no microphone, unlike Ring's popular doorbells, critics argue that the very concept of a flying surveillance camera in the home is problematic. "It's difficult to imagine why Amazon thinks anyone wants flying internet cameras linked up to a data-gathering company in the privacy of their own home," Silkie Carlo, of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch, told the BBC when the gadget was first unveiled. "It's important to acknowledge the influence that Amazon's product development is having on communities and the growing surveillance market." 7 7
ITV News
2 hours ago
- ITV News
Grace's guide to using AI to shop better
With nearly 60% of consumers admitting to using AI to help them shop, could this be the way forward when it comes to retail purchases? From honest feedback on outfit choices to using Google images to search for something you've seen on the go, AI has many useful tools to ensure you find the right product and are spending your cash wisely. Grace Forell is here to show us how to make the most out of AI tools when you shop. What are AI shopping assistants? Essentially a personal shopper in digital form. There are numerous AI tools available that are free to use that can revolutionise how you shop - Saving you time and money in the process. There are tools that help find the best prices, find outfits and interiors you've spotted online or in the street and even give advice on what suits you. How to find products with Google Lens: Use the Google Chrome app, which is free and easy to download. In the search bar you'll see a camera icon. Use this to take photos of things you see or analyse photos or screenshots on your phone. This is a useful way to instantly identify an outfit or product you spot or find out more about something you've seen. ASOS style match for similar alternatives: On the ASOS app which is free to use and download. In the search bar, use the camera icon to take or upload a photo of an outfit or garment. ASOS will then suggest similar items. If you've seen a vintage piece of clothing you like, take a photo of it and you can use ASOS style Match to help you find something similar. Using ChatGPT to make sure the product is right for you: Ideal for use on desktop or phone. Free to use and you can pretty much ask it anything. Great for price analysis, looking at customer and expert reviews and suggesting better alternatives. For example: You spot a sofa you love but it's expensive. Take a screenshot, upload it to ChatGPT and explain 'I love this sofa but it's beyond my budget of X. Is it worth the investment? And can you recommend some dupes?' You can also ask 'are there any negative features of this sofa I should be aware of'? TOP TIP: Be as specific as possible, e.g. 'Can you suggest some dupes that cost X, made from X material, available to buy now in the UK'. And you can use ChatGPT for style advice too? ChatGPT can also recommend styles, cuts and colours based on your skin tone and body shape using the camera feature. Upload photos with no make up, in natural lighting and see what it suggests. You can upload photos of your body shape but be cautious as although OpenAI doesn't claim to hold on to images or conversations, it's best not to put sensitive images online. Gemini can help with grocery shopping Google Gemini can be used for creating shopping lists and meal planning. If you give a list of what you have at home, Gemini will create a shopping list that only includes the items you're missing. If you have specific dietary restrictions, Gemini can suggest suitable recipes. It can provide ingredient-based searches, if you give a list of ingredients you have, it will suggest recipes you can make with them. Saving Money: Gemini can suggest cheaper alternatives for certain ingredients. Organisation and Efficiency: it can also organise your shopping list by grocery store aisle (e.g., produce, dairy, canned goods) to make your shopping trip more efficient. How to use Amazon Rufus to find specific features Rufus is a built-in Amazon AI assistant. Look for the speech bubble with a star icon on the Amazon shopping app. It suggests products based on your search and purchase history and helps you find the products you need based on specific criteria. For example, if you are looking to buy a parasol you can ask Rufus for recommendations. If you're looking for one that blocks UV light, Rufus will narrow the search based on that criteria. You can also ask Rufus what other features are important to look for when buying a parasol. Klarna AI chatbot for product suggestions Klarna's AI chatbot allows you to have a conversation about the products you're looking for. For example: If you say you are looking for a new sofa, discuss the style and colour you want and ask what would work best with the wall colours. Klarna will suggest several. You can also ask which have the best reviews, then save your chosen sofa to your wishlist. Use with caution as it can be a little inaccurate e.g. showing wrong size clothes or deadlinks, but it's a useful way to get inspiration and see what's out there without having multiple tabs open. What's the best site for spotting interiors?
