The Nest Protect alarm is set to receive an over-the-air (OTA) software update for the mobile apps, which brings new features like distinguishing between smoke and steam. However, the problematic gesture control or "Wave" feature, which resulted in a recall of the product, does not make a comeback with this update.
Google-Owned Nest announced the Protect 2.0 update on Thursday, Sept. 4, which will be pushed out to all Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms that are connected via Wi-Fi during the course of the next two weeks.
The software update brings several useful features users' way like reducing false alarms that occur due to steam. The new "Steam Check" feature will help differentiate between steam that emanates from a cooker for example vis-à-vis smoke. This will help in reducing the triggering of accidental alarms.
"It will use its built-in humidity sensor and new algorithms to understands the difference between steam and smoke. Even with a very conservative approach -- Nest Protect has to be 100% sure there's no fire -- Steam Check cuts down nuisance alarms from steam by more than half. That's based on data from real homes, not lab testing," revealed Nest via a blog post.
Another novel feature the update brings is the access to the alarm's 10-day history of both smoke and CO. The history will give an in-depth insight into the day-to-day happenings via graphics, to help one understand how their home functions in a better manner. The history too aims at helping people avoid accidental alarms.
Post the update, users will also get a deeper insight into the CO levels in the air. The feedback system alerts a user about hazardous levels of CO and the levels are indicated via a color-coded measure. The user is also given pointers on what to do in the even the CO levels are high thanks to the What to Do 2.0 feature.
Nest Protect users who own the wired model (as opposed to the battery one) will benefit from the Pathlight controls, which basically help light up the surroundings in the dark. Users can adjust the brightness levels via the mobile app on their smartphone with ease.
The software update also brings language support for French and Dutch, as well as bug fixes and several enhancements.
