Earlier this year saw the recall of 440,000 Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors following the discovery of a safety flaw that could accidentally deactivate the detection system. Nest has now returned the Protect to the shelves at a reduced price of $99, down from its previous $129 price. Nest has removed the “wave” feature that allowed users to disable the alarm with a wave of their hand.
In a blog post (via 9to5Mac) announcing the return of the Protect, the company boasted some of its safety statistics and recounted the story of one Nest Protect user who was alerted to the presence of carbon monoxide in his home by the device, which saved his life. Nest’s Doug Sweeny wrote:
We’re very pleased that Nest Protect is once again available to customers. And now, the price is $99 to make it accessible to as many people as possible. Because we want to see more CO emergencies end up the way Lucas Wollermann’s did.
With the removal of the “wave” feature, users must now use a hardware button to turn off the alarm. A Nest spokesman told Engadget that the company is working on an easier way to silence the alarm.
The Nest Protect can once again be purchased at the Nest website, for the reduced price of $99.
