Feature

Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat

By Nilay Patel on November 14, 2011 11:00 am 104Comments

Tony Fadell is fired up the first time I meet him.

The man who created the iPod and guided the first three iPhones through production has come to the Verge offices to show us his newest product, and though we’re just sitting in our modest conference room, he’s building up an introduction worthy of Steve Jobs himself: there’s scorn for an existing broken market and examples of laughable competitive products, all while my eyes are drawn to whatever is under the black cover on the large wooden box he’s set on the table. Finally, he stops and removes the cover with the same obvious delight he must have felt when Jobs introduced the first iPod, almost exactly 10 years ago.

He is showing me a thermostat.

"Other thermostats suck."

It’s called the Nest Learning Thermostat, and on the outside it looks utterly familiar apart from its brushed metal shell: it’s just a round silver dial with a color LCD display in the center that mostly just displays the temperature in large, friendly numbers. Like any other thermostat, you set it just by turning the dial, and the display turns red or blue to indicate whether it’s heating or cooling, with an estimate of how long it’ll take to hit your desired temperature. A green leaf appears on the display when you’ve set it to an optimal energy usage setting; the idea is to make users "search for the leaf" and thereby save more energy. It is a deceptively simple product.

What you don’t see are the two motion sensors, temperature sensor, and the Wi-Fi connection that tells the Nest what the outside weather is like. The more you adjust the dial and simply live in your house, the more the Nest learns about your preferences and schedule, and the more it programs itself to properly control your heating and cooling — and the more energy you save.

Fadell smiles as he explains all this. "Other thermostats suck," he says.

To understand why Tony Fadell is building the world’s most high-tech thermostat with a team that includes several former iPod and iPhone engineers and an artificial intelligence researcher who’s won a MacArthur Genius Grant award, you have to imagine that you’re him: flush with cash after nine years leading mobile devices at Apple, and wandering the world with your family. You’ve just spent six months in Paris on a whim. You’re building an ultra-green home in Lake Tahoe, with a $15,000 heating and cooling system. When your architect shows you the archaic $350 thermostats that control the system, you’re not only genuinely offended by their lack of innovation, but you have the ability, time, and means to make your own.

The amazing thing about Tony is that he tells this story as though it’s the most natural thing in the world — as though anyone faced with a similar set of circumstances would immediately start trying to build a thermostat. Actually, that’s not the amazing thing. The amazing thing is that after a while you start to believe him.

"Most thermostats are built by plumbing companies," Fadell tells me. "But you really need to understand how to build a phone to make them better." His pitch to Nest co-founder Matt Rogers and their other team members was simple: a breakdown of how much energy a thermostat controls (50 percent in a typical home), the size of the potential market (150 million residential thermostats in the US alone, and another 100 million commercial units) and how much technology would be needed to make an impact (lots). "In a span of 25 to 30 seconds people are like ‘how couldn’t I do this?’" It’s 20 minutes into our meeting and now I’m fired up about thermostats too. Let’s change the world, one leaf icon at a time.

Everyone in the office who sees the Nest thermostat wants one immediately, even though most of us don’t have thermostats in our tiny New York apartments. Part of the appeal is that the device looks not only futuristic, but also familiar — just like the old-fashioned thermostats most of us grew up with.

Fadell’s not buying the connection. "I don’t think it looks like a thermostat. I think it has a beautiful form for its function." Fadell also bristles a little when I note the similarities between the iPod’s legendary scroll wheel and the Nest’s control dial. "I think there’s a lot of symbology around it, but frankly, if it was best for us to have made a zig-zig, we would have a zig-zig product." But there’s still some relation: Fadell tells me later that the Nest’s circular keyboard used for entering Wi-Fi passwords is related to an early rejected design for the iPhone.

The Nest looks futuristic, but also familiar

Tony’s stock answer about the Nest’s internals is that it’s "basically an iPod touch inside," but apart from confirming that it runs Linux and running down the sensors and connectivity, he won’t reveal any detailed specs — a very Apple move. But it’s clear that the Nest team has gone to great lengths to make hardware and software bend to the demands of their vision; Fadell just laughs and shakes his head knowingly when I ask if it was difficult to source a circular LCD, which rarely appear on mass-market products. It’s also clear that there’s a lot of serious hardware engineering involved in the Nest: the thermostat can charge its battery off the voltage in standard HVAC control wires, while other smart thermostats require a dedicated power line or an external power brick. "Our competitors can’t make low-power devices," says Fadell.

There are other Apple-esque touches all over the Nest: although Best Buy will offer Geek Squad installation of the $250 device when it goes on sale, it’s designed for easy DIY installation and comes with a beautiful interchangeable-tip screwdriver. The mounting plate has a built-in level for quick adjustments. The exterior is coated in a reflective finish that lets it blend into any wall color. It all seems a little precious for a thermostat, but that's sort of the whole idea.

"There are a lot of nuances to how you turn things on and off."

Nest Learning Thermostat hands-on

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Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat
Inside the Nest: iPod creator Tony Fadell wants to reinvent the thermostat

Unlike most other energy-related green products, all the intelligence is contained in the Nest itself — your actual heating and cooling system remains as dumb as ever, and Nest can work with systems of almost every type. Tony says achieving broad compatibility was a challenge: "There’s no standard interface, like USB or Firewire. These systems can be 50 years old."

Keeping the rest of the system dumb has its advantages. Thermostats are basically light switches — they switch on the heater or the air conditioner, and turn them off when the room hits the desired temperature. But according to Tony, "there are a lot of nuances to how you turn things on and off." Thanks to its motion sensors, the Nest knows to shut down your system when you’ve left the house, and to fire it up again when you come home. After about a week of adjusting it and learning your activity, it’ll understand your basic schedule and refine it with additional data over time. You can also adjust the Nest remotely using a web portal or iOS and Android apps — it uses custom real-time protocol to communicate with the Nest servers and make changes instantly.

It’s all very impressive for a single $250 control device that promises to save you a big chunk of energy, but it’s also easy to see how even more savings could be realized by adding intelligence across the entire system. And then you realize that Fadell’s been down this road before — he guided the iPod’s development from a simple music playback device into the world’s most dominant music and video delivery platform, and then he did it again with the iPhone and apps.

That history is on my mind the second time I meet with Tony, this time at the Gansevoort Park Avenue in New York so we can shoot photos and video. He’s somber as we chat about Steve Jobs, who has recently passed away. "If it wasn’t for Steve my wife and I would have never met. We met at Apple, we met because of Steve. He showed up on our first date." Tony’s been out of Apple for two years now, but it’s clear the loss has affected him. "He was a very very human person."

I ask him about the iPod, and how it grew into Apple’s empire of digital devices. Tony insists that there was no premeditation. "It was one foot in front of the other... We were finding our way as we went. There was no grand master plan. But to make fast iterations you had to build on a platform that you weren’t throwing away all the time." As each subsequent generation of chips matured, Tony and his team added features to the iPod: first photos and a color screen, and then video.

The obvious followup question is whether Nest might someday become a home-control platform as ubiquitous and powerful as the iPhone, and Fadell doesn’t shy away from the implication, even though he knows he won’t be selling people a new version of their thermostat every year, and Nest doesn’t currently integrate with popular home-automation systems like Control4. "There’s not just other hardware products, but there are services. The iPhone is new because you have new applications and new ways of doing things. It’s not just hardware upgrades all the time. There could be software and services that keep the product alive and evergreen for you."

One set of planned service updates sounds particularly intriguing; since Nest is already tracking how much energy you’re using (and saving), it’s just a quick hop to letting you share that information with other people — and compete with them. Social networking to save the earth.

Unlike the iPod, you probably won't buy a new thermostat every year

That’s not to say that Nest won’t be introducing new products over time, but Fadell is passionate when he talks about remaining focused. "The problem with Silicon Valley is that you all want to impress your friends — you want to make the next thing and revolutionize it. But you have to make a strong business." Fadell looks out at the Manhattan skyline and says that he always wanted to be an architect; that buildings stay beautiful forever but digital devices are quickly obsolete. "You look at hardware or software five years later? They’re crap. You would never use them again. People use architecture all the time."

His voice rises. "What is our form of architecture? What is the thing that lasts of beauty? That’s the business. We want to make multiple products that all relate together, so that the business is there to continually drive innovation. It’s not just ‘hey, we took the hill, let’s go find another hill.’ And then this dies."

"It's nice to have music and movies everywhere, but it's not exactly saving the world."

It’s exactly what you’d expect to hear from someone who spent nine years working beside Steve Jobs — that it’s not only the products that are important, but how you build and run your company. And Fadell seems intent on using his experience and expertise to build something that will both make an immediate difference and survive the test of time. "It’s nice to have music everywhere and movies everywhere, but it’s not exactly helping to save the world."

He smiles. "Sure, we could make another cellphone, but competing with Apple would be hell on earth. Let’s go after big, dumb, slow companies."

Comments

Good_ole_Pinocchio says:

“The problem with Silicon Valley is that you all want to impress your friends — you want to make the next thing and revolutionize it. But you have to make a strong business” <—- this quote on Facebook got me in here very fast Sent to ReaditLater app for Android

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:06 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Tablet's reply:

he did not create nor design the ipod. he was just another minion of the other 1000 people who worked in the ipod division, and then he leaves apple to make this gimick and tells the press he invented the ipod. amazing, and the tech press doesnt even go to verify it they just write what comes in their ear.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Good_ole_Pinocchio's reply:

He was the SVP of the iPod devision… not just a “minion”

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:46 AM EST reply Recommend (16) Flag actions

Good_ole_Pinocchio's reply:

Of course I spelled division wrong… We need an EDIT button guys.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:46 AM EST reply Recommend (16) Flag actions

Apocalyptic0n3's reply:

The guys behind SB Nation/Vox Media are huge believers in not being able to edit comments. I was a writer for Winging It In Motown and even I was unable to edit comments. It was either delete (a staff only feature) or leave be.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

azulum's reply:

jon rubenstein found the parts. phil schiller came up with the click wheel. jony ive did the design. steve jobs nixed the on/off switch. tony fadell made it work. get your facts straight. fadell was integral to the ipod and i believe he’s the one who came up with the name (but i could be wrong).

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:47 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

azulum's reply:

nix that, he didn’t come up with the name, though there are different stories on how the name came to be. blasted internet.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:52 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

kmcgrady's reply:

The name was part Steve Jobs part ad-guy. In the Steve Jobs biography it says that an ad-guy suggested calling it ‘Pod’. Then Steve decided to add the ‘i’ to make it fit with the iMac.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 1:08 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

redbullcat's reply:

I don’t think it’s a *gimmick. If I was a homeowner (I’m not) I’d buy one, as I envisage my future home to be very clean and minimalistic.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:54 AM EST reply Recommend (5) Flag actions

Cloudgazer's reply:

Erm – actually he was more than just another minion – from Wiki.

During the 1990s, Fadell started his own company called Fuse to develop the “Dell of the Consumer Electronics.” One of the devices he had in mind was a small hard disk-based music player. Fuse failed, however, to find a second round of funding, and Fadell started exploring developing the product at other companies. He first approached RealNetworks in 2000 but left after only six weeks. The second company he approached was Apple.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 6:56 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Oaf Tobark's reply:

He was more than just a minion. It is fully reasonable to say he created the iPod.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 1:27 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ceejw says:

Is Tony Fadell also the creator of my favorite website? www.thisismynest.com

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:07 AM EST reply Recommend (24) Flag actions

Dylan Spronck says:

Awesome that you had an interview with him. The interview is great and the video feature is awesome. The Nest Learning Thermostat looks so incredibly awesome, didn’t know that thermostats could be cool too.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:09 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

HerbieDerb's reply:

They could be cool and hot

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 1:20 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

rarodrig6's reply:

Yeah i’ve never been so interested reading a whole article about thermostats before. Actually i’ve never read an article about thermostats before.

Well done Nilay

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 11:06 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

marcus.stromeyer says:

Innovation at its best!

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:10 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ilovethe951 says:

I think I need to see it in real life to appreciate it’s engineering

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:13 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ericleamen says:

Saw this thing a few weeks back and instantly wanted one! It’s the closes we’ll ever get to an Apple-made thermostat!

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:13 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ianjcraven says:

This is my next Thermostat….

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:14 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

GebradenKip's reply:

This is my Nest thermostat

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:22 AM EST reply Recommend (13) Flag actions

ranhalt's reply:

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:31 AM EST reply Recommend (16) Flag actions

I am Spartacus says:

Love the enthusiasm shown by Fadell. Its a really neat idea and one that needs a creative mind to tackle. On another the note, the video production on for the Verge is genius stuff! Absolutely envy the creative approach you guys (and gals) put into the production.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:15 AM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

swb1192 says:

That video is really, really professional and awesome. Keep up the good work :)

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:16 AM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions

phii's reply:

I agree, the video production is very slick, but I feel a bit uneasy watching this feature since it comes off more as a commercial for the device rather than reporting on it. The video’s tone and the article’s tone are completely different.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:18 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

ekolibas's reply:

I agree; I really enjoyed watching that. It was quite refreshing from other interview-type/ inside look videos.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

uncleho's reply:

Yeah, the video quality is amazing.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 6:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mmagnum77 says:

Love the idea, but want to take it a step further… You need to integrate that with something like Latitude or locale, so your thermostat can power back on from energy saving mode when you’re within 5 minutes of your house.

Takes the hassle out of programming the individual times of when it should be in energy-saving mode or not, and for someone like me who can pop-in in the middle of the day at home, wouldn’t have to manually go over and turn it back on.

. Also, would preclude the need for motion sensors, saving some money, and some potential headaches… What if you have an indoor animal?

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:18 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mattkicksass's reply:

If I was to take it a step further, I’d add electricity usage monitoring, home lighting, home security monitoring, and window blinds control, to close the loop even more. This is very exciting stuff, and it will FINALLY bring home automation to prime time.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:29 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

LongLimbsLenore's reply:

And now your price just went for $250 to $5000.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 12:24 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

stephen.robles says:

I could definitely see this thing being sold next to the iPad accessory rack in any Apple store. Want one of these for sure, thanks for covering it Nilay.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mattkicksass says:

We need more devices like this in the home. Thoughtfully designed, easy to use, and able to be operated from the cloud. Put a wi-fi chip in everything that uses electricity, I say. Refrigerators, ovens, light bulbs, door locks, window blinds, etc. This stuff gets me completely giddy. The next 5-10 years are going to be awesome awesome awesome :-)

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:22 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Monprin's reply:

And then HP will try to put webOS on all of them…

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 12:19 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Good_ole_Pinocchio says:

SPeaking of Silicon Valley….After seeing Arrington on the CNN Special Last night… I’m wondering why didn’t any of our TOP DOGS over at the Verge get an opportunity like that!!!…. Verge > Tech Crunch

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:22 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

codemaker says:

This idea has been swimming in my head for quite a while, although my thought was to hook the HVAC system to a PC and then control it with fancy software. Obvious idea to me, but it looks like these guys have brilliantly executed on it.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:23 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

darthxmark says:

super cool. makes you realize that innovation can occur in even boring items like a home thermostat.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:24 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

POPOEVER says:

WOW, love it, that’s innovation we’re talking!

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:26 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

elgabito says:

I will probably get one of these, but only problem I see is the motion sensors. My thermostat is isolated in a very seldom-used room. The phone idea of another poster is a good one – or a remote motion sensor of some sort.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:26 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Heroman0's reply:

If your thermostat is in a isolated very seldom used room then it sounds like it’s already placed in the wrong spot.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 1:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jsteinerman says:

This is one of those things that at first you find severely underwhelming (a thermostat?!? for real??), but quickly realize is sheer genius
Amazing feature Nilay! THIS is what makes The Verge a truly unique site, and is why I’m going to be a die-hard “Verger”

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:27 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ranhalt's reply:

we’ve all agreed on Verge’n.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:29 AM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

ddpacino says:

Ok. HTML5 video?! Looking and performing great on my phone. Posts are gonna be even sweeter on my G-Nex!

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rdelfin says:

Nilay, great piece and awesome video.
~~-Rock & Roll~~-

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:40 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

rdelfin's reply:

I meant to use italics, not strike-through, oops :-/

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:41 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ekolibas's reply:

We really need a way to edit posts. I’ve been trying to get into the habit of previewing before posting just to make sure it looks the way I want it to before submitting it.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:32 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Uttini!'s reply:

I prefer not to edit posts. It guards against folks editing them after being called/found out.
Honest editing is an unfortunate victim.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 4:15 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions

ekolibas's reply:

You do make a good point there. I totally agree with that. One just needs to make sure they proofread before posting (which is what should be done anyway).

Posted on Nov 22, 2011 | 8:23 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

kalewallace says:

My Nest is (supposedly) going to be shipped tomorrow.

Really excited about the future of home-automation, and this thermostat really seems like the tip of the iceberg.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:43 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

dejitaru says:

Being the lowly renter I still want one of these. Ive always been interested in intelligent themostats and have come close to pulling the trigger on the ecobee a couple times. Probably going to order a nest after the first batches start to go out in the real world.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:55 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

macomeau says:

I’d love one of these for my house. Can’t wait until it’s available in Canada (and displays Celsius). My only concern is that the thermostat in my house is in a room that doesn’t get all that much traffic. It’s central, but a lot of time is spent in the other rooms. If I don’t walk past the sensor between 9:00 and noon (totally feasible), what would happen?

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:26 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Pobregizmo's reply:

They do talk about “long range activity sensors” and I know that if you were to turn up the heat and let it know that you’re there a few days in a row, it will learn from that activity and keep the house warm for you.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:34 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

hd1080i says:

Yikes = "You can also adjust the Nest remotely using a web portal or iOS and Android apps — it uses custom real-time protocol to communicate with the Nest servers " — does this mean the sensors will detect my “Activity” & know i am in the room and wifi that back to NEST? I hope this has a full on privacy from access really well integrated in there.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Renverse's reply:

Dude… It’s a thermostat. What’s it going to do? Display ads? Rob your house? Kill your dog? Seriously…

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 7:26 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

Pobregizmo says:

Is it wrong to want a thermostat for Christmas?

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:33 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

KillPrius says:

I love the idea of smart devices in the home. And I would love to get something like this, but see how it would work effectivelly in the South in the summer time. In the winter time, this would work like a champ, no question. Summer time is a different story. We don’t go upstairs until bedtime and if the motion sensor for the second story until is not triggered, well, might as well not go upstairs. Most people I know that have a second story run the AC unit 24/7 to keep the temp under control. Or just stop going upstairs.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:33 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Blackacex2 says:

Okay so, what if I leave my house but my dog, cat, and bird didn’t? What good are the motion sensors then? If the thermostat changes when I leave and kicks back on when I come home, does the mean I’ll be coming home to rather uncomfortable temperatures until my heater/cooler kicks in for a while?

Honestly, I don’t know.. maybe the thermostat doesn’t need to be smart. Maybe it just needs to work. If you make this complicated it will confuse people and they will write bad reviews. I can already tell the amazon reviews for this will be scathing because people will find their home to be all kinds of wacky temperatures and not know why.

This is the google TV of thermostats

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:37 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

dcormier's reply:

I suspect that a smaller, lower body (cat, dog, miniature pony, etc.) would produce a different type of signature on its activity sensors than a larger, upright human body. Also, they could be have their field of view masked so they only see motion in a narrow vertical space so that animals would be below that field of view. These are not hard problems to solve.

It’ll actually learn a schedule based on when you change its temperature. Or, if you just want to tell it when to change the temperature, you can do that.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 4:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Heroman0's reply:

I think you are underestimating the potential in current day technology. All of these hurdles can easily be taken into account to create a top notch product if the developers know what they are doing.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 1:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

colovion says:

You know, I don’t think throwing sensors into various parts of the house for this thing is the way to go. There’s already something that should be in every area of the house and can communicate with the Nest easily if adapted to do so: smoke/CO detectors. You all have them in your homes/apartments right? In your bedrooms? Well, if not you should, and no reason they couldn’t communicate with Nest to help maximize temperature efficiency, let it know you’re moving around in a certain part of the house (not to mention let it know when they need new batteries, send out an alert if they are triggered, etc.) Hmmm….

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 12:40 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

dcormier's reply:

Good idea, but they’re too high up. It’s cooler down where thermostats are normally installed than up at 8+ feet on the ceiling.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 6:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

KillPrius says:

After rereading this article and some comments, I feel this thermostat is only one piece of the puzzle. It pretty must assumes you live in a single room house with no pets. The other missing pieces are the $15K HVAC system, insulation, house design and landscaping. Seriously, all this is going to do is try to be smarter about flipping the switch on and off to a stupid system. And if I had spent all the money Tony spent on a green home, I too would be offended by the choice of thermostats available.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 1:04 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

TFausett says:

This article was awesome. This is why I like the Verge, I love reading stuff like this. Can’t wait to see Tony come out with a cheaper version hopefully one of these days. Deffinitely a step in the right direction.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 1:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jeromeerome says:

This is a really nice idea and a cool product. As a home designer and builder I could see this being one more perk to add to our homes to differentiate them from the competition. It would be great if there was more incentive for new construction homes to use these over traditional thermostats. Im thinking maybe a subsidized cost for builders or HVAC contractors to help break into the mass market.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 1:21 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

JimRamK says:

I feel proud as a Lebanese citizen :)

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 1:32 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

crichton007 says:

Very cool but still too pricey for my taste. When 2.0 comes out hopefully it will be more reasonably priced.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 2:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

simon.ly says:

Seems like a great concept executed well. To those who put forth that this device is too expensive, it must be looked at in context. In isolation, sure its expensive but the value of the products it controls and the services it offers puts nest in a fairly good spot.
Also, bravo to Nilay for navigating this presumably sticky situation of producing an article that wasn’t an advert, but somewhat needed to be in order to portray what the device did!

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 2:16 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

simon.ly says:

“But to make fast iterations you had to build on a platform that you weren’t throwing away all the time.”
Best.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 2:19 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

NaJaKwa says:

I want one, I don’t think I can convince my pocketbook or more importantly, my girlfriend, to buy a $250 thermostat.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 2:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

WilliamF says:

That’s pretty cool, but $250 for a thermostat? That’s a little nuts. I guess in the long run it could be a good investment, but that up-front cost is going to scare a lot of people away. I wouldn’t even consider the $100 “smart thermostat”, much less this one.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 2:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CheapAssAsians's reply:

There are motion based thermostats that are already out there that do the same thing. They generally start around $230 with motion sensors. Nest is reasonably priced, and doesn’t look like ass.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 3:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jstine says:

Lower the price and I will consider it. If it was $100 it would sell very well. I think it’s very innovative and I can’t wait to see and use one in person

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 2:52 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

osho741 says:

My theromstat was 80 bucks, touch screen, programable, I don’t know if this would do a better job than what I already have installed. Besides if you get a woman anywhere near this thing it will only learn to set itself at the hottest and coldest tempertures!

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 3:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Mario Bravo says:

This product concept is legit but has many competitors. I’m not sure how this one will perform. We do this and more for commercial buildings with multiple thermostats. We just published a case study showing a 17 floor office building that we retrofitted with our Building Portfolio EMS, an advanced energy management system, that demonstrates a 20% energy cost savings and one year payback.. You can find the case study here http://www.incenergy.com/content/case-studies

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 3:57 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Bovine U says:

Well, isn’t an architect just an art school drop-out with a tilty desk, and a big ruler?

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 4:19 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

schmozo says:

Very interesting product and a great piece Nilay.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 5:09 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Leonardo Oliveira says:

The way text is shown around products on videos is very cool. I know, not related to this topic.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 6:14 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Hirshologist says:

maybe it’s just me, but its seems a little too complicated…..I prefer the old dial thermostats.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 6:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

fspence says:

Cool. As long as it doesn’t suck energy too much itself, this could really catch on (although it probably would even if it did simply because of its neat features and interface). If it could combine saving power heating/cooling and be power efficient itself, then this is definitely the future of thermostats.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 7:45 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ryannamba says:

After having read this, I agree that the tech is pretty darn cool. But the fact that I just spent a good several minutes reading about thermostats, of all things? And enjoyed it? That’s downright impressive. Good on ya, Verge team.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 7:59 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

woodjosiah says:

Wow, that looks great. The real question is will there be a new Nest every year, and will upgrading your thermostat every year to the latest model become the new thing?

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 8:06 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iDamien says:

I’ve been reading about this product for a while, and really thought about doing an impulse buy because it has that “Reality Distortion Field” in there.

The problem is, I live in a 1000 square foot apt, and I really doubt this will save me tons of money on energy. But for my parents house? I think this will be a KILLER device.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 8:46 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

knewman says:

The video was fantastic! Great read, thanks.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 9:26 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

gustavomds says:

would be nice if it could integrate with other home automation devices

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 10:23 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

scb1898 says:

That would look nice on my apartment wall.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 10:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

aclick says:

Could this be a huge win for Phillips, who started making circular LCDs (which Paul Miller wrote about) in 2007? Or has another manufacturer jumped in at just the right time? Oh, business.

Posted on Nov 14, 2011 | 11:37 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

caked says:

That looks really good, love the interface, the dial turning looks nice and stiff (not loose and flimsy), and you can touch the screen or is the whole screen is a button? Any real cool.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 12:38 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

caked says:

Anybody know what font that is? The “COOL SET TO 72”. Thanks.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 12:43 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

stefanstente says:

Great video – damn I really want that thermostat……is it available in Europe?

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 3:54 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DorKnight says:

Beautiful device. Must’ve been interesting to have him be there.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 8:46 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions

CaptainOriginality says:

I am going to need 2 of these for my house. I hope they can communicate and share information.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 9:06 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Chris Ro says:

The video is incredible.

I have no use for a thermostat but it looks so pretty that I immediately want it.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 9:51 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Tams says:

“you set it just by turning the dial”. I have a 1970s thermostat in my house that does that and it’s about the same size.

I’m just being pedantic to be honest. It looks useful.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 11:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

boxlightbox says:

i will buy this as soon as it is available. i have complained more about the horrific interface of my thermostat than any other device i use, Time-warner suck-box included. As soon as I heard about this product I was overjoyed (sad, isnt it?)

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 12:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

digdug233 says:

Well first up, i want one in the house soon as pos.
Second. really great article guys. you are just creating some amazing content on here. i look forward to reading what’s new each and every day.
great job.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 3:10 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iRonald says:

If I ever moved into an apartment that has a thermostat, this would be the one I would get.

Other people have said this in the comments but I think it’s worth repeating: Great video!

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 3:17 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

SuperClay says:

but does it have a barometer?

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 3:52 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

osho741 says:

Yeah the design as far as the dial certainly isn’t revolutionary. the dial design has been around for ages. I’m shocked it isn’t patented by another company already.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 4:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

atomicsolar says:

Not pleased to see that a rejected phone design was an inspiration, this thermostat is just too beautiful.
The moment I saw the password entry, I remembered how fast the text entry for codes was on Beyond Good and Evil with that spiral.

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 8:57 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

whiteboard says:

“It’s 20 minutes into our meeting and now I’m fired up about thermostats too. Let’s change the world, one leaf icon at a time.”

…. me too … meee tooo

Posted on Nov 15, 2011 | 10:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

aclick says:

I can’t fully explain why, but I want this so, so very badly.

Posted on Nov 16, 2011 | 1:21 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

iceniko says:

This thing is actually amazing.
It’s just awesome how the people thought of a product, that’s completely ridiculously left behind all the new technologies that have come out in the past 20 years, and totally up-to-dated it.
With the different settings and all eco-mode, statistics and so forth, I think the product itself has a lot of potential. Hopefully people are ready to shell off 250$ for it. ;]

p.s. in my future home – such a device is a MUST-buy!

Posted on Nov 16, 2011 | 6:31 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

izzymd says:

I gotta say, this is the first time I’ve been excited about a thermostat.

Posted on Nov 16, 2011 | 6:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ColinR says:

Damn the fact this was posted on my birthday. I completely missed it. Prediction, Nest will make home automation mainstream. Crestron, Control4, even Savant… watch out….

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