Just think. Nest has tremendously successful hardware that they sell to overwhelming fanfare generating tens of millions of dollars. They also have an impressive infrastructure to control all of said hardware. Meanwhile... SnapChat generates zero revenue and has no real product, yet they turned down $3 billion from Facebook. Crazy world we live in.
Surprisingly not mentioned yet. Lead guy at Apple ventures out and invents a thermostat then to be bought by Google. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/jobs/from-apple-to-nest-labs-always-a-designer.html?_r=0
The hardware design of the Nest is brilliant, but even more impressive to me is the simple to use and intuitive software.
WTF! Why would SnapChat turn down anything that starts with a B? They are just some trend, and they will be irrelevant in 2-5 years time... I would of cashed in that Lotto ticket!
Google money will help them, but I think Nest is actually in a pretty precarious position in the market. They have a first mover advantage, but in the long-run, they may be disintermediated by other thermostat manufacturers with closer relationships to energy companies, security companies, telecom companies, or HVAc companies. A lot of different adjacent companies are getting into connected homes and home energy management with the smart themostat a major hub for that play. So, maybe Nest wins and uses their thermostat to leverage into a larger connected home offer that branches out to energy management, security management, and wider home automation. But, just as easily, someone like Comcast can use their presence in telecom, cable, and security to build a home automation business that cuts Nest out of the loop. The smart-phone app and learning algorithm have already been copied by competitors, and their smoke detectors won't get any penetration at that price point. The cachet advantage isn't sustainable either (see Samsung's response to Apple). Their one advantage is they're a first mover with innovation. They have a chance if they can quickly execute on their roadmap to automate the home and get market share (and throw up barriers to switching) before competitors can catch up. If they aren't quick, they'll be a one-trick pony.
The interconnected end user experience is what nest/google can provide but those other hvac/telecom companies will struggle at
They already begun teaming up with energy companies, and have for some time now. As an example, Reliant was doing a promotion with a free Nest on one of their plans for the longest time. Their sales have been very strong for a first in market.
I'm really lacking on my thermostat game according to this thread, I got the most basic thermostat you can have... I think it might even be from the 80's lol
It really is weird to be stoked about something as simple as a thermostat, but home automation is going to be amazing... and this lets you get a taste of the future. Seriously, how long have people been watching "home of the future" videos? We're getting there finally. 1950s home of the future... <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VowfYuhx1-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> And of course Microsoft's home of the future =D <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_vsoBsgqoEg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Damn people loved plastic in the 50's haha that Microsoft house is pretty sweet, all the crazy features seem practical.
I have a Honeywell WIFI thermostat with a color display. I like it more than the Nest. I researched both and prefer the nice display, features, and remote control functions of Honeywell vs Nest
Yes, I'm familiar. Even energy companies' customer relationships aren't as valuable, imo, as those of the security/telecom companies for a full-blown connected home offer. It's easier for someone like AT&T to fold a smart thermostat into their home automation suite (Digital Life, which can include alarms, security cameras, automated locks, smoke and CO detectors, smart thermostats, energy managment, and water leak detection in a single interface, with a mobile app to control it all -- and, oh, they also already have your business for the cell phone, your internet connection, and your cable tv), than it is for an energy company or a smart thermostat company to fold in home security. Energy companies are a good route to energy management business, but not so great for home automation business. I think Nest winning out against telecom is possible (they seem more competent), but hardly a slam dunk.
I have a Nest thermostat and their new smoke detector. I think next month I'll be getting this wifi/video camera enabled door bell w smart phone app... surprised Nest didn't get to it first. http://www.skybell.com/
I thought the Nest only worked with a certain energy company (Reliant I think)? I could swear it was like that before when I was looking at one. I bought a wifi Honeywell and my board must have been so old that there was no wiring configuration I could come up with to make it work. Went through all the various wiring setup video guides and everything. I didn't realize a 1997-ish system was the stone age but, apparently, it is when it comes to those circuit boards that you wire the thermostat to. So, I put the old PoC (piece of cr..) back on. I was like missing an entire wire in every configuration.
Doesn't matter on provider for the nest. Some give tea bates or promotions so maybe that's what you are thinking I have a similar aged system so I'm sticking old school
Anybody can use it (if they have all the wires, I guess), but they have an strategic partnership with Reliant/Green Mountain in competitve US markets, with utilities in several regulated markets, with Georgia Power in Georgia, etc. so that those companies can bundle the thermostat with their energy contracts.
I think the only time I touch my thermostat is when I'm home on a workday or to reset the time when we go on and off Daylight Saving time. I'm still trying to figure out how the heck a Nest is beneficial to me. I hear "it learns your usage". Do you guys constantly manipulate your thermostat? Well my usage is that I set my programmable thermostat for one temp when I'm here and another temp when I'm not. I like gadgety stuff, but I still need to be convinced. That Honeywell posted above looks sweet. :grin:
