Nest announces second-generation Nest Protect smoke alarm

Google’s Nest Labs announced a second generation of the Nest Protect smoke alarm.

Nest said the second generation of the alarm has been rebuilt “from the inside out” to address the upgrade requests of current users. And the upgrades are numerous.

The Nest Protect smoke alarm will now test itself on a regular basis to make sure it’s working. These checks can also be activated by the app.

Heating systems can cause carbon monoxide leaks or spread smoke through the home during a fire. So Nest Protect tells the Nest Thermostat to turn off the heat to prevent those things from happening. It also sends a notification to the user’s phone.

Another new feature allows the Nest app to shut off all Nest Protect alarms in the home with a single click.

The new version of the smoke alarm uses something called a “split spectrum sensor,” which can detect smoke from both fast-burning and smoldering fires.

Nest said the new smoke alarm will last ten years.

The new smoke detector will sell for $99 and can be ordered starting next month, Nest said.

In addition, Nest announced a new program that will help Nest Protect smoke alarm users get a price break from their home insurance companies. Insurers consider homes with active smoke alarms, especially smart ones, a good risk.

Nest will share a limited amount of user information from the devices with the insurers, which will then verify it and give those users a break on their home insurance. Nest will start the program with two home insurer partners: Liberty Mutual and American Family.