As the COVID-19 continues its rampage across North America and Europe, most people are still confined to their homes. Most of the schools, colleges and offices in America remain shut as people get used to working from their homes. However, with everyone staying at home and relying on video services for communication, bandwidth is getting more challenging to get your hands on. Similarly, thousands of school children now rely on the internet for their education. Therefore, it is safe to say that the COVID-19 has made things difficult for internet service providers, as they scramble to allow all this data transmission. Google has recently come out with their strategies to help such providers by lowering the load on their workstreams. Here’s a look at why Google is downgrading the Nest Cam’s video quality and how it can help.
Helping Ease the Strain
Google will start adjusting the video quality of its Nest security camera stream in a bid to help ease the strain that broadband networks are feeling. Since more people than ever before now rely on the internet for their communication and education, this step will be a welcome one. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving everyone stuck at home, internet usage has skyrocketed as people try to learn, work and keep themselves entertained at home.
Google’s statement said that the company has decided to hear the global call to put learning and working first when it comes to bandwidth. As a result, Google will be making the required changes over the next few days to make it easier to access other forms of content on the web. Furthermore, Google also sent out a mail regarding the same to Nest Cam users around the country.
Nest Cam Video Quality
Therefore, in case you live in the US, and your Nest Cam suddenly starts transmitting mediocre quality video, don’t be frightened. Google has said that it will set camera quality to the default of all the people in the country who had opted for high quality and high bandwidth options. In case your settings are below default, they will continue to run on the same choice.
The company has also made it clear that it will not change any setting other than the video quality and bandwidth one. However, in case a user feels that they need high-quality images, they can reset their settings too high. Google said that this might be required in case the user relies on Nest Cam to survey their home and surroundings. Since a lower video quality will make it difficult to understand precisely what is happening, users have the option to reset it, if they feel the need to do so. Also, in case you leave the settings at default, Google promises to amp them back to high once the traffic recedes.
Other Changes
Google might also make changes to their Ambient Mode slideshows on Nest displays, Chromecast, and other Cast devices. The company is planning to reduce the resolution and rotation interval of the photos in the slideshows. Also, this hasn’t been the only step Google has taken to ease the strain on network bandwidth. The company had on March 24th, reduced YouTube’s video quality to 480p.
Similarly, Netflix, Amazon and Apple have reduced their video quality in Europe to lessen the load on broadband networks. Sony did the same for its PlayStation Network in the US and Europe. So, in case your Nest Ca delivers only mediocre imagery, understand that the step was taken to help in the fight against COVID-19. Once the world regains some normalcy, your feed too will go back to its high-definition quality, but for now, users will have to make do with their default settings.
Being a cinephile with a love for all things outdoorsy, Athulya never misses a chance to chase inspiring stories or poke fun at things, even when the subject is herself. Currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, she is someone innately interested in technical and scientific research. Music reviews and op-eds define her as they allow her to explore different perspectives. Though sometimes she thinks she makes more sense playing the guitar than she does while writing.