Nest to release cheaper version of its award-winning Learning Thermostat

Perhaps a far cry from what Nest Labs has been known for but now under new management, it looks like the company is looking to attract new customers into its fold—those who can’t afford the more premium products. Nest, under CEO Marwan Fawaz, will introduce the Thermostat E, which is a new, cheaper take on the Learning Thermostat. It drops the price from US$249 to $169 and is built to blend into the background instead of standing out as Nest products have been known to do.

The Thermostat E will have a white polycarbonate plastic replacing the metal ring. The LCD screen is covered with a frosted display that fades to light gray when it isn’t in use. The Thermostat E takes a more minimalist approach to design. You’d see some activity when its motion sensor is triggered, there will be large orange numbers that’ll show the current temperature. And while the Thermostat E works with the Nest app and it learns your heating and cooling habits, this gadget comes with an automatic schedule built-in and based from data Nest has collected over the years from its users. It doesn’t have a c-wire connector either, but Nest claims this won’t be an issue for most homes. What Nest is highlighting with the Thermostat E is its ability to save you money over time. Nest’s own studies claim a smart thermostat can save you around US$131 to $145 a year (around CA$160 to $180).

Source: CNN + Wired

Tony Fadell leaves Nest

Nest Labs head Tony Fadell is leaving Nest and its effective immediately. While it may seem like a sudden departure, Fadell claims they have been in transition has been in progress since late 2015. Nest has been going through tons of rough patches since Alphabet, then Google, acquired the company in 2014. There were things like the failed release of a smoke and carbon monoxide detector (due to software issues), complaints of employees about Fadell’s leadership style, and the like. Fadell will be replaced by former Motorola Home CEO Marwan Fawaz but he’ll still stay on as an advisor for Alphabet in the immediate feature.

Source: Nest | Via: The Next Web

Google to enter smart home appliance market with Nest Labs acquisition

From left: Nest Labs co-founder Matt Rogers, Google CEO Larry Page, and Nest Labs co-founder Tony Fadell

Google aims to increase its presence in your home with the planned acquisition of Nest Labs for US$3.2 billion. Nest Labs develops smart thermostats and smoke detectors, signifying a move to enter the app-controlled household gadgets market internationally.

Google CEO Larry Page said in a statement, “They’re already delivering amazing products you can buy right now—thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe. We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!”

Nest CEO Tony Fadell said in a blog post the company will retain leadership and brand identity and will still support Apple users.

Source: The Guardian