You can now do a lot more with your Google Nest cameras on the web, with the web-based version of Google Home finally adding the ability to review your timeline of recorded video events.
Google Home for Web will also let you download recorded clips, as well as trim the length of a clip, Google announced Wednesday.
The changes are coming as Google Home for web, which was first unveiled in October 2022 as a public preview, finally goes into general availability.
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best security cameras.
In a YouTube video, Google demonstrated how Nest cam users can scroll through event timelines on the web, just like they can on the Google Home app.
Of course, you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription to store and review video events on either the web or the Google Home app. Nest Aware costs $8 a month and includes 30 days of video storage, among other benefits.
The web view will also work for browsing 24/7 video histories, which are supported for Nest Aware Plus users. Nest Aware Plus goes for $15 a month, and includes 60 days of event storage plus 10 days of 24/7 video storage. We compare Google’s Nest Aware subscription plans to those of several other security camera manufacturers at the preceding link.
Previously, Google Home for web was restricted to showing only the live feed of a Nest cam.
Besides the new support for video histories, Google Home for web will soon offer an editor that allows you to trim the length of event videos.
Using your mouse, you can drag a pair of handles to select the beginning and end times for a clip. The feature works for both individual event clips as well as 24/7 recordings.
These “custom clips” will be supported for the second-gen Nest Cam (including the wired and battery-powered version), Nest Cam with Floodlight, Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen), and Nest Doorbell (battery).
Custom clips will also work with the original Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam Outdoor once they’ve been fully transitioned to the Google Home app, Google says.
Finally, Google Home for the web is rolling out picture-in-picture support for live video feeds.
A public preview branch of Google Home for web with early versions of new features will still be available, Google said.
Among the features in development for the web version of Google Home include a script editor for home automations, garage door notifications for Nest Aware subscribers, and support for older Nest cams (including the first-gen Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam Outdoor) that are still making their way to the regular Google Home app.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he covers smart speakers, soundbars, and other smart and home-theater devices. You can follow Ben on Twitter.