Alexa will always work with Nest (and that's a problem)

Google is shutting down its Works with Nest program, removing access to Nest products for third-party companies that require the use of Google Assistant. But Google has announced an exception: Alexa will still be able to control Nest hardware.

Google cuts nest access for third parties

Recently, Google announced the end of its Works with Nest program. Works with Nest allows products from other companies to control the Nest. Your garage door opener could for example ask your thermostat to increase the heating. If a company wanted some form of integration, it should go through Works with Google Assistant.

This program does not allow direct control of Nest; instead, you have configured routines to do the job. Another obvious problem is the change: Works with Nest's skills developed for Alexa would not work. And, since Alexa is herself a voice assistant, it's out of the question to switch to Works with Google Assistant.

Alexa gets a reprieve

Currently, Alexa is using Works With Nest to control Nest hardware. Websites such as The Verge have announced that Alexa's integration will stop working on August 31, 2019. That's right, Alexa's current integration with Works With Nest will be discontinued on that date.

But, according to a page on the Nestle website spotted by Ars Technica – we do not know if all the time was used or if Google posted it later – this is not the case.

Google says it will work with Amazon to allow Alexa to now control Nest hardware. Google promises to complete the transition before closing and continues by saying that Alexa will keep all of its current Nest integrations.

Smarthomes turn into walled gardens

Working with Amazon is good news for Alexa users. But all other users of Wink Hubs, IFTTT, Yonomi, Lutron and anyone else using Works With Nest will still lose their features. Smarthomes work best with open standards. You should be able to buy products from different companies and work together.

Alexa seems to be the subject of a special exception that other voice assistants, services and companies will not have access to. If the relationship between Google and Amazon comes down, it could even jeopardize the special access of Alexa to Nest.

By blocking access to Nest hardware for most businesses, Google may be securing your data, but it is also setting up barriers around its walled garden. Future voice assistants (and current third-party options such as Mycroft) will start with a disadvantage that could be extremely difficult to overcome.

Even well-established device manufacturers, such as Lutron, have said the features in the old Nest program were unsupportable in the new Google Assistant program. In the future, when you buy more than one device, you will wonder if it fits your ecosystem. If this is not the case, you may need to search for the Google device in your "Google home".