Google officially stopped producing the Nest Protect connected smoke detector in March. Existing units will continue to function, but because the smoke detectors have a 10-year lifespan beginning at their manufacture date, older units have started to expire. Now, though, Google’s promoting an alternative.
As spotted by 9to5Google, the Google Store now lists the First Alert SC5 Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm on both its smart home store page and in search results for the term “Nest Protect.” The smoke detector is compatible with the Google Home app and ecosystem and can slot into setups alongside Nest Protect smoke detectors.
The First Alert unit is made to connect to the Nest Protect’s base plate, so swapping out expiring Nest units for new First Alert ones will be a relatively simple process. You can control the connected smoke detector through either the Google Home app, or First Alert’s own.
The SC5 can be connected to other alarms, including Nest Protect, as well as “select First Alert/BBK alarms,” so that when any alarm in your home detects smoke or carbon dioxide, they all go off. The unit is available in hardwired or battery-powered configurations.
Google isn’t actually selling this smoke detector
Oddly enough, though the SC5 detector is now listed on the Google Store, Google isn’t actually selling it. The store instead links to First Alert’s webstore, where you can buy either configuration of the new detector. Either model costs $129.99, the same price the Nest Protect cost when it was first released in 2013.
The SC5 is also available through retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, though neither of those stores are linked to from the Google Store listing.
