Google is undergoing a significant change in its smart-home product lineup, deciding to discontinue two of its offerings in favor of collaborations with third-party companies. This shift marks the end of the line for the Nest Protect Smoke & CO Alarm, in production for 12 years, and the Nest x Yale Lock, which was introduced in 2018.
First Alert, a well-known entity in the smoke detector industry, is set to replace the Nest Protect. Their new product, the First Alert Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm, will be available in the upcoming months, priced at $130, with preorders currently open. This device will include safety voice alerts, safety checkups, and a feature to silence alarms via an app. It is designed to integrate with existing Nest Protect systems, allowing current users to install the First Alert system as an additional unit. Similar to Nest Protect, users can manage it through the Google Home app.
In place of the Nest x Yale Lock, Yale will introduce a new product, the Yale Smart Lock with Matter, that lacks the Nest branding but is intended to integrate with Google Home and complement Google’s Nest Video Doorbell. The Yale Smart Lock is described as easy to install, has a battery life of up to 12 months, and offers multiple unlocking methods like an entry code, app, or key. Certified by Matter, this lock should integrate smoothly with various smart home platforms. It is expected to be released this summer.
Despite the discontinuation of these products, Google will continue to provide security updates for them. The Nest Protect will remain functional until its expiration dates, and both products will still be available at retailers while supplies last.
In different news, Apple has confirmed the timetable for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Starting on June 9, the event will feature both an in-person gathering and a live-streamed keynote. Anticipation surrounds announcements regarding new software capabilities across Apple’s hardware, covering updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is poised for a significant redesign of the interfaces across its devices. The event will also reflect on the first year since the rollout of Apple Intelligence, which has encountered a challenging start.
Meanwhile, Rivian has unveiled a new micromobility startup, named Also, originating from an internal program aimed at adapting Rivian’s technical expertise to smaller electric vehicles. Rivian retains a minority stake in Also, focusing on collaboration potentials and utilizing Rivian’s retail venues. RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, will serve as chairman of Also’s board. The public can expect the first designs from Also later this year, with a highlighted product anticipated in 2026.
Finally, Google has announced a shift in the release date for the Pixel 9a. Initially scheduled for March 26, its launch was postponed to April due to a component quality issue affecting a limited number of devices. This issue has since been addressed, and further details on the release are awaited.
