Google is currently updating its smart-home product line by discontinuing two of its existing products and replacing them with items from third-party collaborations. After a 12-year production run, Google is ceasing sales of the Nest Protect Smoke & CO Alarm, and it is also halting production of the Nest x Yale Lock, a smart lock introduced in 2018.
The replacement for Nest Protect will be provided by First Alert, a recognized name in the smoke detector industry. Expected to be available in the upcoming months at $130 and currently open for preorders, the First Alert Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm will feature voice alerts for safety, safety checkups, and an option to silence alarms using an app. Existing Nest Protect devices will still be compatible, allowing users to install the First Alert system in another location, and both units will sound an alarm if a fire is detected. This new system can be set up and controlled via the Google Home app.
The Nest x Yale Lock will be replaced by the Yale Smart Lock with Matter, although it will not carry the Nest branding. Designed for Google Home, this new lock is intended to complement Google’s Nest Video Doorbell. Yale claims the lock is easy to install, offers 12 months of battery life, and includes various unlocking options such as entry codes, apps, or keys. It will be Matter-certified, facilitating easy connections with other smart home platforms, and will be integrated with the Google Home app. The lock is scheduled to be released this summer.
Despite the discontinuation of these products, both will continue to receive security updates. The Nest Protect will remain functional until its expiration dates, and it will still be available for purchase at retailers while supplies last.
In other tech news, Apple has officially confirmed that its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) will commence on June 9, featuring an in-person event and live-streamed keynote. During the event, Apple is expected to reveal new software capabilities for its hardware, such as the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. There is speculation about significant software overhauls, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, with major updates anticipated for the interface design of iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Rivian is launching a new micromobility startup called Also, which originated as a stealth program aimed at exploring smaller electric vehicles utilizing Rivian’s technology. Rivian retains a minority ownership in Also and will collaborate with the startup, utilizing Rivian’s retail stores. Expected to debut later this year, the startup’s flagship product is anticipated to be released in 2026.
Additionally, Google recently announced the Pixel 9a, but its release date shifted from March 26 to an unspecified date in April due to a minor component quality issue discovered in a small batch of devices. This issue has reportedly been resolved.
