Google Assistant Integrates ADT Voice Commands Months After $450M Investment

Google and ADT are taking new steps in their partnership, which launched last summer with a $450 million investment by Google into the high-tech security company. The updates bring Google Nest and ADT in closer alignment and give the voice assistant more control over ADT’s products.

Commanding ADT

The change in relationship is visible even before using ADT security. Google Nest smart speakers and displays are now available to purchase on ADT’s website. ADT technicians are available to install them in people’s homes, despite the relative simplicity of setting up the devices. The integration goes both ways, and Google Assistant can arm or disarm ADT security and environmental systems with both voice commands and the touch screen on Nest smart displays.

“The next milestone in the ADT and Google journey has arrived,” ADT wrote in announcing the new relationship. “The partnership combines Nest’s award-winning hardware and services, powered by Google’s machine learning technology, with ADT’s installation, service and professional monitoring network to create a more helpful smart home and integrated experience for customers across the United States. The complete, future ADT and Google home security solution is expected to advance smart home offerings and attract new consumers seeking premium technology, end-to-end smart home service and trusted security.”

ADT Nest

The $450 million investment gave Google 6.6% control of ADT and marked Google’s shift away from its own home security system. The companies began working together on research and sales, including $150 million into developing, marketing, and training for the combined services. The ultimate goal is to have Nest be the platform for ADT’s smart home services and ADT be Google’s home security providers. It also fits some of the ways Google has been integrating with Samsung SmartThings. A Google Nest app for the SmartThings platform arrived earlier this year as a way of linking the respective smart home platforms, giving mutual control over the different device ecosystems. The ADT integration and approval also shares a view of the recently updated Google Assistant policy to ensure the quality of smart home devices connected to Google Assistant Actions. The new product quality and safety standards demand devices meet a response speed and accuracy rate and include certain mandatory commands.

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