Nest x Yale Lock Joins Google Home

The Nest x Yale Lock, born in 2018, was designed as a key-free deadbolt integrated into the Nest ecosystem. It allows users to remotely control door access, assign passcodes, and monitor entry history via the Nest app. The Yale brand itself has a long history, dating back to the 1840s when Linus Yale Sr. began designing high-security locks in Newport, New York. His son, Linus Yale Jr., patented the pin tumbler cylinder lock, a major innovation. In 1868, Yale Jr. and Henry R. Towne established Yale & Towne, which grew into a global lock manufacturer. With the Nest x Yale Lock now fully supported in the Google Home app, the Nest app is effectively obsolete, as it was one of the last devices requiring the older app. This integration allows for passcode management, guest code scheduling, activity history viewing, and real-time notifications within the Google Home app. Google's commitment to Matter is evident, with the Nest Hub (2nd gen), Nest Hub Max, and Nest Wifi Pro already equipped with Thread border routers. Matter is designed to ensure that devices from different manufacturers can communicate with each other, promoting a more interoperable smart home. The Google Home app is also adding local control for Matter devices, which promises to double responsiveness. This move signifies a strategic shift towards a local-first architecture, reducing reliance on the cloud. While sales of the Nest x Yale Lock have ended, existing locks will continue to receive security updates. A successor, the Yale Smart Lock with Matter, is available, offering extended battery life, multiple unlocking methods, and an enhanced design.