‎View Cameras on Smart Displays (Echo, Nest Hub, etc.) | Page 3 | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
drewhagen's profile

3 Messages

Not In Development

49

View Cameras on Smart Displays (Echo, Nest Hub, etc.)

One feature I’m really interested in is the ability to see the Doorbell input as well live footage from other SimpliSafe cameras on my Google Nest Hub, much like you could with Arlo, Wyze cameras or others mentioned here:

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9137164?hl=en

I get that SimpliSafe has competed with Nest, but with Nest Secure gone now, it feels like SimpliSafe has a big opportunity here. No option in the market seems to provide a holistic security system with 24/7 pro monitoring, while also being able to stream input on my Nest Hub devices. That has me uncertain what to proceed with purchasing.

29 Messages

Just another comment and a "plus 1."  Please put priority on getting the doorbell to interact with Alexa devices.  Essential features:

1. Doorbell ring.  Create an Alexa skill to cause your designated Alexa devices to emit a ring sound when the doorbell is pushed.

2. For Audio only devices: Allow a 2-way conversation to be initiated with "Alexa, answer doorbell" or "Alexa, ask simplisafe to answer the door"

3. For video devices such as the Echo Show, allow the doorbell video to be seen and 2-way conversations.

These could also apply to the individual security cameras as well, but I think the first priority should be for the doorbell, as this feature is already in most standalone doorbell cameras.

3 Messages

simplisafe get with the times. extremely disappointed your doorbell and cameras don’t work with echo show alexa… will switch to another system that does 

6.6K Messages

@teebee28​ A VP at Amazon told a reporter yesterday there will be a monthly subcription fee in the future on using Echo devices. Just a fyi.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/09/amazon-wants-to-charge-a-subscription-fee-for-alexa-eventually/

(edited)

2 Messages

I agree with all of the other posts that I've seen in your comments sections, you need to do an integration to allow video outputs to other devices like the Google hub or amazon's Alexa products. I understand what the challenges are with your closed system and its great you're obviously security conscious as I would expect, but these types of integrations are what your customers expect, and since you don't have your own hub system you need to align and integrate with other ecosystems.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled View Cameras on smart displays

4 Messages

There's a lack of integration of SS system with Google and Amazon smart home hubs.

There's an absolute minimum integration currently to arm the system, but more helpful/meaningful capabilities will be to view and manage cameras from Google or Alexa hubs like you can on dedicated simplisafe app.

I get that SS is part of CSA but that doesn't mean much if SS decides to keep going their own way and restrict management of

its devices with larger smart home industry accepted architecture (e.g. thread/matter).

I can't imagine any downside of adding these flexibilities (e.g. to view and manage cameras from smart home hubs). Tight integration of SS system to smart home hubs (like between Google nest cam and Google hub) will provide much needed capability to the consumers. 

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Better integration with smart home hubs

6.6K Messages

@Dantheman777 This has been discussed (and the horse beaten to death) for years. Do a search and you will find thread upon thread of asks and positions on this topic. The plus side is that it makes the SS ecosystem more secure.  I, and many others, are good on that aspect, but will pay $$ for a SS hub or some solution to provide even one way connection to our IoT devices, in my case nine plug/switch that control lights inside and outside of my house. In an alarm event, I want the entire house and property lit up like a Chrsitmas Tree.  Hey SS, how about a surprise holiday gift and not a lump of coal? HO HO HO!!!

6.6K Messages

@SS So, I see the "not in development" has been slapped on this thread, thus putting the proverbial nail in the coffin of connecting to a 3rd party hub for video. So, riddle me this, Batman: How about a SS Hub to integrate IoT wall swtiches and plugs? And, so there is no doubt, yes, I would like a reply!

Community Admin

 • 

3.4K Messages

@captain11​ We do still have an open ticket with our devs regarding a hub to integrate IoT devices, but we have not heard back on whether it will be brought into development or not. When we do have a definitive answer, we'll update its respective thread.

6.6K Messages

@emily_s​ thank you for replying .  It is greatly appreciated 

1 Message

Honest question: is there a single example of a customer request from this forum resulting in any actual product development from SimpliSafe?  Or is the job of the Community Admin just to make us think that they're listening, but they don't actually care?  The patronizing tone really makes it sound like they don't care.  Makes me wish I had chosen a different security system.

Former Community Admin

 • 

5.7K Messages

@cccccc​ we've definitely had quite a few implemented requests that have been posted here, and here are just a few:

The Community is one important way that we gather feedback from our customers, even as we represent a very small part of the overall userbase.

For this particular request, our dev team has chosen not to develop the feature for now. But we're keeping this thread open so that users like yourself can chime in, and we can show our dev team how much demand there is for something like this.

5 Messages

All with less votes :(

5 Messages

This is a huge reason why I decided to switch to reolink cameras. Lack of integration and the hardware themselves….would highly recommend reolink if you’re comfortable with computers and hardware. I have set them up with home assistant and Google home, have had no issues since switching.

6.6K Messages

To be fair SS has made many improvements over the years to their equipment, software, and services. A recent example is the ability to "snooze" the cameras for 30 or 60 minutes in the app, and, while not working for solar-connected outdoor cameras, the "performance mode" to have a 2-second or less live stream and "pre-roll" feature on AC connected cameras. They are also working on the ability to suspend motion events when the system is in off or home mode.  That said, yes, there is still a lot more I wish they would get done, but yes, things are getting done.

1 Message

Agreed. Apple is able to integrate with other cameras while keeping footage secure — why not integrate with HomeKit?

73 Messages

I'm still holding my breath for complete integration with Google Home like ADT does.

6.6K Messages

@dczubacki​ Luckily, you don't have the contract that ADT has.

73 Messages

@captain11 - Well.... you're not wrong there, I'll concede that point.  But still..... let us at least disarm the system via Google assistant in addition to arming it.

(edited)

I read your reasoning SimpliSafe, but how about differentiating recorded materials (storage) and at least have your gatekeepers and decision-makers consider the live FEED, warning the user "it's on them" and adding an easy enable/disable toggle button? 

By this, just to be clear, I mean the live feed of SimpliSafe cameras displayed on Nest Hubs (Google Home) ...besides Apple TV which is on a different post.   

Please consider it (let decision-makers know, otherwise forum efforts are futile) and promote it if it ever happens. 

1 Message

Just came here to ask for this seemingly basic feature in the current state of technology. It doesn't even need to be an integration if there are security concerns ... what about a Simplisafe 'Hub' that can display live feeds when motion is detected?

Integration with:

  • App for Apple TV for integration with Apple Home
  • Display on Nest Hubs and  Google TV
  • Display on Alexa
  • Coming up integration with Sonos (2024-25) or be able to AUDIO link SimpliSafe hub or alarm to Sonos speakers as well as Nest Minis and Nest Hubs. 

It seems (to many people) that SimpliSafe's DECISION MAKERS need to polish off their strategic business thinking and realize that smart home systems are not their 100%-competitors; in fact they are ubiquitous, thus, most users expect SIMPLISAFE (obvious) INTEGRATION during the buy in process,  and upsettingly so (given the lack of response) most users continue expecting this after buying in.  >>> Are SimpliSafe social media and forum GATE KEEPERS making sure that DECISION MAKERS read this forum? Are they including this in their consumer insights research summaries? It does not feel like that as there is no response on an obvious dire need in your "sell sell up-sell" system.   INTEGRATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME, it is 2024 you know?

(edited)

4 Messages

It is sad that it comes to this... That we, the customers that pay every month... that spend the money on the hardware and do the install ourselves... That make the company money... do not get heard by the powers that be. 

Or worse... they DO read these forums... and either ignore the masses or just don't care. 

I love the product. I also love the fact that it is not as expensive as others... So much that I installed it at my store as well as my home. All that said... it is very frustrating that I have spent a ton of money on home automation and the integration is crap. 

GET IT TOGETHER, SIMPLISAFE!!!

6.6K Messages

From a security standpoint, no issues for me SS has kept integration with 3rd parties to a minimum. That said, SS, you can expand your product protfolio (and revenue/profits) with a proprietory hub that can connect to IoT devices. If you are even remotely considering, time to go public.

11 Messages

Hello I would like an update on this quiet urgent feature request? So far the Amazon Alexa integration is a half baked feature that we are actually paying for as part of our subscription package. Please do better.

1 Message

I purchased the SS system at the same time that I purchased an echo show.  I was thinking that I would be able to integrate the cameras with the echo show.  I wish that I had read in detail about the limitations of integration.   I wish I had chosen cameras that do work with the show.  Big disappointment.   Also disappointed to read that the request to integrate has been made by SS customers for several years without results.  

(edited)

6.6K Messages

@tracie0593​ If you are within 60 days you can return the system for a full refund.

3 Messages

I currently have a Ring doorbell and I can view it on the Amazon Echo Show.
If I replace the Ring with a Simplisafe doorbell camera (with interactive plan) can I view the camera on the Echo Show?

Or is the Echo integration limited to just arm/disarm?
Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Doorbell camera with Amazon Echo Show

6.6K Messages

@devg3, at this time you wouldn't be able to do it. Doorbell video is only accessible through the SS app, or through a web browser logging into the SS website. At this time Echo integration will only tell you status of the system (on, home or way) and allow you to arm it.

2 Messages

Any updates to this yet? It seems like a very basic feature that should be addressed

2 Messages

I agree. This is something that would improve the functional value of simplisafe.
I agree as well. I hope that Simplisafe makes an integration for this or I will have to pass on their video doorbell.

217 Messages

Yeah, this has kept me from buying an SS video doorbell as well.  I want Alexa to inform me of the doorbell ringing at the very least and preferably to display the image on my Firestick, I'd settle for a display on my Samsung tablet though. But I want Alexa to tell me.

I'd like to have the SS Doorbell, but it's really neither "fish nor fowl" in that it doesn't really integrate into. . .  anything, really.  Sure, it will display a video on the SS app and store the videos online, but that's it?  No effort to integrate with the rest of the house?  For me, the video doorbell isn't really a security device so much as it is a convenience for when I'm not near the door.  Security is not the primary focus for me on something like this.

As far as the current Alexa integration, why can't I at least query the status of the SS system via Alexa?  When I'm in the house, I'm not always near my phone or the keypad, but I'm usually near an Alexa equipped device.

I don't think they have any idea how many customers they lose over this or how many they never get. I'm just waiting to replace all my simply safe devices at this point for Google. I think simply safe has a good service but I need my doorbells to ring all over my home. I'm one of the few people who don't Cary their phone with them at all times. You all should give this more thought. Because this is impacting the usefulness of your product 

New to the Community? Get started by reading our Welcome Article and please be sure to review our Community Guidelines before posting.
Welcome to the SimpliSafe Community’s Product Requests and Suggestions! By posting in this section, you agree that you have read and agree to our Suggestion Submission Terms, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, including any and all related terms and policies therein.

New to the Community? Get started by reading our Welcome Post.