Nest app adds Protect smoke detector support, streamlines design

Nest is updating its mobile companion app on iOS and Android to include support for the upcoming Protect smoke detector, which it says will begin shipping soon. From the app, Protect owners will be able to view the status of all of their Nest smoke detectors, including whether they’re sensing any problems, when their last tests were, and how their backup batteries are doing. The app should also make remotely controlling a Nest thermostat a lot easier too. The interface has been streamlined to allow just about everything to be done more easily — and without requiring users to jump into a landscape mode as it did before. The iOS update is available now, while the Android app is rolling out over the next few days.