Google has discontinued its popular Nest Protect smart smoke alarm, and in its place, First Alert has launched a new smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that will work seamlessly with Google Home. The new alarm, priced at $129.99, is designed to replace the Nest Protect and offers many of the same features, including automatic safety checkups, voice alerts, and compatibility with existing Nest Protect alarms.

The First Alert Smart Smoke & Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm will work with both the First Alert and Google Home apps, but not with other smart home platforms. According to Ryan Park, senior product director at Resideo, which owns First Alert, the alarms will interconnect over Nest's Weave communication protocol (which uses Thread) to sound all compatible alarms when one is triggered. The notification system can also include any non-connected First Alert alarms you might have installed.

The new alarm is available in hardwired or battery-powered options and can be preordered at FirstAlert.com. It's set to launch later this year in the US and Canada. With a 10-year sealed battery, a requirement in many states, the alarm is designed for easy hardware replacement, making it a seamless upgrade for Nest Protect users.

The First Alert alarm features many of the same features as the Nest Protect, including automatic safety checkups, a "Heads-up Early Warning" that sends voice and app alerts before an alarm triggers, and alerts when an alarm is triggered. Additionally, the app will send low battery warnings, eliminating the need for 2AM low battery chirps. However, unlike the Nest Protect, the First Alert alarm won't work as a presence sensor for Google Home's Home & Away function or feature the Protect's nightlight feature.

Google says the new alarm can trigger a live feed from your Nest security cameras in the Home app when an alarm sounds. The alarm uses First Alert's Precision Detection, an advanced sensing technology that combines ionization and photoelectric sensing, and works over Wi-Fi to connect to the Google Home and First Alert apps. Existing Nest Protects will soon appear in the Google Home app.

The launch of the First Alert smart smoke alarm comes hot on the heels of competitor Kidde's launch of a smart smoke alarm that works with Ring at CES this year. The Kidde Smart Smoke Alarm with Ring ($54.97) and the Kidde Smart Smoke and CO Alarm with Ring ($74.97) are hardwired alarms with battery backup and will launch this April at The Home Depot. These connect exclusively to the Ring app via Wi-Fi.

First Alert has an existing line of Onelink smoke and CO alarms with Wi-Fi connectivity, but it phased out its models that worked with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home a while ago. According to Park, the current Onelink product line will be discontinued over time in favor of the new models. The company also manufactures a Z-Wave smoke and CO alarm that works with Ring Alarm and other platforms, which will continue to be sold.

While it's great to see more smart smoke alarm options, the proprietary approach is frustrating, especially now that Matter is here, which is designed to make it easier for manufacturers to integrate with multiple smart home platforms. Smoke alarms are part of the Matter spec, but none of the recently announced models are compatible with the new smart home standard. Resideo, owner of First Alert, is part of the Connectivity Standards Alliance that oversees Matter, and it's unclear if there are plans to make the new smoke alarm compatible.

In conclusion, the new First Alert smart smoke alarm is a welcome addition to the smart home market, offering many of the same features as the discontinued Nest Protect. While the proprietary approach may be frustrating, the alarm's compatibility with Google Home and existing Nest Protect alarms makes it a solid option for those looking to upgrade or replace their current smoke alarm.