Nest Opens Up with Weave and Cam API

Nest app and thermostatNest Labs, the smart home firm owned by Googles parent company Alphabet, has opened its Nest Weave communication protocol for use by third-party products.

This will increase the number of connected home products that can be controlled through Nests apps, starting with the Yales Linus smart lock. The Linus can identify whether a door is currently open, send security alerts and enables users to set individual passcodes to see when people came and left, all of which will now be folded into the Nest app.

The company has also launched the Nest Cam API, for connecting products to its smart security camera. Among the first smart products integrating this API are Philips Hue lightbulbs, to turn on the lights on when the Cam detects any suspicious motion; the Mimo onesie and baby monitor, to show whats happening when a baby in the next room starts stirring; and video doorbell Skybell, to activate each other if anyone is sensed in or around the home.

Nest has also launched the Works With Nest store, to give consumers an easy way of telling which smart home products work with its software.

“Building a connected product is hard,” said Matt Rogers, Nest VP of engineering. “We’ve been doing it for the past five years and have first-hand experience with the challenges. That’s why we want to make it easier for developers.

“We’re offering proven technologies like Nest Weave, along with cloud services and the ability to integrate with the Nest app. Developers have an end-to-end solution when they work with Nest, and can use only the parts of the program that meet their needs.”