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Google's ADT partnership finally has a new home security product to show

Google's ADT partnership finally has a new home security product to show




Three years after Google invested $450 million in home security company ADT, the two companies have a unified offering for customers looking to DIY smart security setups. ADT's Self Setup system, which launched last month, will now integrate with Google Nest devices — including its video doorbell and indoor and outdoor cameras.

While ADT has offered Google smart home devices as part of its professionally installed packages since shortly after the investment, this is the first time the two companies have offered full software security integration for a DIY product. Is.

Now ADT's sensors and Google's cameras can be controlled directly through the Google Home app or the Google Nest hub, as well as through ADT's apps. Plus, you can arm and disarm the system using a Nest Hub (second-gen or Nest Hub Max). ADT Self Setup can be professionally monitored with ADT Smart Monitoring for $24.99 per month, which includes the option to enable video verification that can help with a faster response from emergency services. But you'll also have to pay for a subscription to Nest Aware, which makes it $34.99.

It's a compelling integration on paper, especially considering ADT's press release states that the starter kit, which includes the Nest doorbell, hub, and a handful of sensors, will cost $219.98. It's also a lot less expensive than Google's excellent but pricey $400 Nest Secure system. (That product was discontinued right after the ADT partnership was announced.)

The Verge contacted ADT to confirm this, as we could not find the $219.98 pricing on the site. ADT's Chief Technology Officer, Raya Sevilla told us the price is an introductory offer. Eventually, a starter package will cost $479.99. Right now, the "Starter" is on sale for $380, not $220. Despite repeated requests for clarification, we still haven't received the $220 package on the site. ADT representative Karyna Malave told me about the Build Your Own option which is available for sale for $80. But that's just for the hub and doesn't include the doorbell, cameras, sensors, and all the other equipment you need to make it work. Adding those parts quickly adds up to over $220.

This pricing puts the ADT do-it-yourself setup hardware higher than popular DIY security systems from Ring and SimpliSafe. Ring alarm hardware packages with wireless video doorbell start around $340. Ring's professional monitoring costs $20 per month. SimpliSafe's base package with cameras runs $465, and SimpliSafe's monitoring (which includes video verification) is $28 per month. It seems that hardware packages from all security companies are on semi-permanent sale, making cross-comparisons difficult.

We'll also have to wait to see how ADT's hardware holds up. From the looks of it, ADT's self setup hardware is similar to what ADT sold with its first DIY home security system, the Blu. Originally designed by ADT before LifeShield was bought and revamped, Blu launched a week before the Google investment was announced. At the time, it included a suite of cameras including a video doorbell. ADT has since stopped selling Blu but still supports the service.

ADT's self setup includes door and window sensors, motion sensors, flood and temperature sensors, and a keychain remote to disarm the system. It also requires the ADT Smart Hub, which includes a keypad and serves as the brain for the sensor. Customers can buy the system packaged with Nest products, including Nest doorbells (battery, not wired), Nest Cams indoor and outdoor, and Nest thermostats through ADT's website.

According to a video from ADT, you can use ADT sensors in Google Home to trigger smart home automation, including turning lights on or off when motion sensors detect motion. It's also possible to arm and disarm the system from the Nest Hub (second-gen) or Nest Hub Max. Sevilla tells The Verge that it's possible to integrate existing Nest products into the setup itself by adding "homes" to the ADT Plus app.

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