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Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

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Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#521

Post by Klathmon »

Zenst wrote: post #482
gergles wrote: post #22

> I’m a Works with Nest developer. Will I be able to access and control Nest devices moving forward? > No. The Actions on Google Smart Home platform does not provide open API access to Nest devices, so it cannot be used to access and control Nest devices. Instead, managing and controlling Google Home, Nest, and thousands of third-party smart home devices is done through the Google Home app and the Google Assistant. W…

Reading thru it, it is not as brutal as it sounds, more that the they merged it into the Google Assistant API, removing direct access permission to the NEST device (remember microphone-gate with NEST) and consolidating those permissions into Assistant. Whilst they are killing it off, they have a transition. However, as far as timelines go - August 2019 kill off date for the NEST API is brutal and not exactly the grac…

I've posted here a few times, but from what I can see at this point, these things (which I use on a daily basis and are the major reasons why I went with Nest):

* Can't get Nest camera or Nest doorbell video or images programmatically (without asking a google home device directly). This was the main reason why I sold my Ring and bought a Nest, since Ring didn't allow real time video streaming)

* Can't programmatically set or get the nest thermostat temperature, humidity, or home/away status (again, without asking a google assistant device directly).

* I can't get notifications of status changes any more. No more API access to things like notifications when someone rings the doorbell, or a camera sees a person.

* I don't know for sure, but from what I can see this kills any and all Alexa integration.

* And similarly, unless samsung has been blessed by google specifically, SmartThings integrations will go away.

There aren't any real improvements since the Nest products were already available from the google assistant system. And while you can argue many of the new-ish features (like being able to ask the google assistant screen devices to see the camera or get notifications on google home devices for doorbell rings) are improvements since they didn't really use the previous "works with nest" APIs, it's basically trading the ability for anyone to use those APIs, to only google being able to use them and give those abilities out to specific players they allow.

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#522

Post by walterbell »

bunderbunder wrote: post #475
walterbell wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a difference between an IoT manufacturer going out of business, which causes related software services to terminate, and an IoT manufacturer failing to deliver on device claims made before the sale took place.

There's also a difference between how we want things to work, and how they actually do. These services typically include some language in the EULA to the effect of, "We can disable parts of this device from our end, for any reason, at any time." And agreeing to those is almost certainly precondition for using the device. Which absolutely sucks. But it's the legal and consumer protection environment we live in right n…

EULAs do not override national or state regulations on device fitness for purpose.

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#523

Post by gambiting »

Teledhil wrote: post #437
TeMPOraL wrote: post #361

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's a note, straight from quotes file, I took around the original Twitter fiasco, and have since reposted or mentioned on HN a few times on occasions similar to this: * Sovereign from Mass Effect on using someone else's technology: "Your civilization is based on the technology of the mass relays, our technology. By using it, your society develops along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic e…

Damn you, EA, I liked Mass Effect 1 so much.

Yeah it's a shame they never made any more after the third one.

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#524

Post by toomuchtodo »

blotter_paper wrote: post #389
lettergram wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh didn’t realize YouTube annotations was killed off. Gotta say, most annoying thing to me was discontinuing support for the Nexus 6p after only 2 years. Made me switch to iPhone for ever.

An archive is available, thanks to crazy people on the internet: https://i.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/b7imx9/youtube_a...

Internet Archive link: https://archive.org/details/youtubeannotations

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#526

Post by jordanbeiber »

iainmerrick wrote: post #511
jordanbeiber wrote: post #488

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might be missing my point a bit. First of all I’m talking developer exposure. Many angry devs have sat in their cubicle swearing at MS & others product teams for changes made or products dropped. These products doesn’t necessarily have the visibility of google services. What I’m further trying to say is that it’s a culture thing. Times are changing and with it the business model of selling standardized crap to cl…

There’s probably room for us both to be right, as MS is such a massive company with zillions of products. I’m coming at it mostly as a client-side developer, comparing to platforms like macOS, iOS and Android (and the web!) where things are constantly in flux, with new APIs added and old ones deprecated. Compared to those, Windows and .NET are extremely stable; they add new APIs, sure, but old ones tend to stick arou…

Sounds reasonable. There’s many perspectives to be had and I appreciate yours.

I’ve spent far too much time in the “enterprise” spectrum of this business and arguably this is were MS for example have made the bulk of it’s fortune.

The flux you mention could for many be a “good thing” assuming you can keep pace?

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#527

Post by thatoneuser »

bryanrasmussen wrote: post #313

EU law (because the EU seems to be the only one willing to make these big laws inconveniencing tech) - any IOT enabled product that has the IOT capabilities removed by closing of a service without a simple way for those capabilities to be re-enabled (simple being further clarified in law) can be returned for a full purchase refund up to 3 months after closing of the service.

Some of the EU customer protections are really top notch. God knows we can't just trust the tech companies to not be manipulative pieces of shit. "Don't be evil" - my ass.

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#528

Post by amolo »

Marsymars wrote: post #486
agildehaus wrote: post #222

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recall thinking, a long time ago, "You never see ads for Google stuff on TV. That's because what they make is so much better they don't need to advertise them." I think you can mark the spot where the business folk took the reins from the engineers by the date of their first TV ads.

I don't watch TV ads, but a giant Chromebook ad is now cycling on the billboard next to my office. I really wish more jurisdictions would ban billboard ads.

Why though? Becauss Google uses them?

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#529

Post by thatoneuser »

So what you're saying is Google is giving another red flag that any work done with them should only be considered a privilege that can be revoked at any time? It's funny I found this article and I'd literally just been thinking about how I need to avoid Google products because I can't afford to have my workflow just up and disappear when someone at Google gets promoted to a higher level management.

Re: Google Is Turning Off the Works-with-Nest API

#530

Post by [deleted] »

NeedMoreTea wrote: post #413
bpfrh wrote: post #393

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a law you can return anything brought online without giving any reason for 14 days, I don't think there is a law which applies here?

At least in the UK there are the concepts of "fit for purpose" (and of merchantable quality) and "reasonable expected life". Now I doubt there's yet been much chance to evolve what a reasonable life of a smart thermostat or associated devices are, but crucially liability is with the retailer. It's on them to prove they are not liable. If they then want to chase the manufacturer, that's separate. It probably pays not…

[deleted]
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