In an apparent bid to shake up the home improvement industry much as they have the computer and mobile device arenas, Apple has now made the Nest Learning Thermostat available in the Apple Store. The device is available now for $250.
The new product was created by ex-Apple executive Tony Fadell, who is credited with the title “grandfather of the iPod.” The thermostat is the first product from startup Nest Labs, which was founded by Fadell after he left Apple in 2010.
After nine hours of downtime, the Apple online store returned this morning with the new offering. It’s unknown if the extra downtime was needed because of a missed appointment with the HVAC repairman.
Word first surfaced last week that the Nest thermostat would also be offered at Apple’s bricks and mortar store. Apple including the thermostat in its offerings is interesting, as the device is not directly related to any Apple products, as most third-party accessories such as cases, speakers, and other accessories are.
Even though Fadell is a former vice president of Apple’s iPod division, and the Nest thermostat has an app in the App Store, Fadell no longer has any official ties with Apple.
The official product description on Apple’s online store reads, “The Nest Learning Thermostat helps you stop wasting energy, while providing control using your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Consider that your thermostat controls about half your energy bill—more than TV, appliances, and lighting combined. But it’s wasting energy every time it turns on the heating or cooling system in an empty house. The Nest Learning Thermostat solves this problem by programming itself, turning itself down when you’re away, and keeping track of your energy use.”
The thermostat is listed as being compatible with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, all iPad models, and the 3rd and 4th generation iPod touch.
Features include; remembering preferred temperatures, creating a personalized schedule, turning itself down if the house is empty, the ability to change the temperature from anywhere using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and much more.
The product comes with the thermostat display, the thermostat base, installation and “Start Here” guides, mounting screws and labels, and an optional mounting kit. Customers can also visit the official Nest website to check that the product will work with their existing air condition system.
I for one am glad to see this happen. I am weary of traveling to the local Home Depot store to purchase items like this. So many selections, so many different models, finally Apple has selected their official thermostat! Now if they’ll just make a choice for which robot butler / vacuum cleaner to carry in their store, my life will be complete.