Tariffs Force Starling Home Hub, Google Nest’s Apple Home Bridge, to Shut Down
▼ Summary
– The Starling Home Hub, which allowed Google Nest devices to work with Apple Home and Siri, has been discontinued due to rising business costs and tariffs.
– It was a plug-and-play bridge launched in 2019 that provided local streaming for Nest cameras and automation in Apple’s ecosystem.
– Google Nest devices lack direct Apple HomeKit integration, though newer thermostats support Matter for some Apple Home functionality.
– Current Starling Home Hub owners will continue receiving support and updates, but the company’s future is uncertain.
– Alternatives include Matter-supported Nest thermostats, with camera support expected later, though existing devices may not receive updates.
For those who have built a smart home around Google Nest products but prefer using iPhones and Apple Home for daily control, a significant setback has emerged. The widely appreciated Starling Home Hub, a dedicated bridge connecting these ecosystems, has officially ceased production. According to the company, escalating operational expenses, primarily driven by U.S. government tariffs on essential components, have made continued manufacturing unsustainable.
Since its introduction in 2019, the Starling Home Hub served as an independent, plug-and-play solution that seamlessly integrated Nest thermostats, cameras, and other devices into the Apple Home environment. Priced at $99, the compact device connected directly to a home router and enabled full Siri voice control, automation, and even local camera streaming for reduced latency. Its reliability and user-friendly design made it a favorite among users who wanted to avoid the complexity of configuring a Homebridge server.
Unlike newer Nest thermostats that support Matter, a cross-platform smart home standard, older models and all Nest cameras remain incompatible with Apple Home without a bridge. The Starling Hub effectively closed that gap, offering a streamlined experience that many came to depend on.
Current owners of the hub can rest assured that support will continue. The company has committed to providing technical assistance, security updates, and bug fixes for the foreseeable future. Warranty claims will also be honored using remaining inventory. What lies ahead for Starling as a company remains uncertain, as the Home Hub was its sole product.
Looking for other options? The 2020 Nest Thermostat and fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat both work with Apple Home via Matter. Camera support through Matter is expected later this year, and rumors of new Nest cameras launching soon may bring native Apple Home compatibility. However, it is unclear whether Google will extend Matter support to older camera models or doorbells.
For now, the disappearance of the Starling Home Hub leaves a noticeable void. Apple users who rely on Google Nest hardware have lost the simplest and most dedicated tool for bringing everything together under one roof.
(Source: The Verge)
