Tony Fadell's Nest thermostat rumored to be sold in Apple Stores Soon

[Akshay Masand]

Rumor has it that ex-Apple executive Tony Fadell, who many consider to be the “grandfather of the iPod,” will reportedly begin selling the Nest learning thermostat in Apple retail stores in the near future. According to iLounge, the Nest thermostat will be sold in Apple stores, making it an interesting addition to the store’s current product lineup. If the rumor turns out to be true, the move to carry a third-party item that isn’t associated with an Apple product, such as iPhone cases, speakers, and other accessories, will be a rare exception to the retail outlets’ traditional stock list.

Aside from having an iPhone app and being created by former vice president of Apple’s iPod division Tony Fadell, the Nest learning thermostat doesn’t have any ties with the Cupertino California company. The device itself is the first product from the startup Nest Labs, which has founded by Fadell after he left Apple in 2010.

For those of you who don’t know, Nest analyzes a user’s temperature settings and operating habits to help maximize energy savings for users. The thermostat also mates a custom operating system with slick design elements, along with advanced wireless controls and a user-friendly UI. HVAC operation is performed either on-unit or over a Wi-Fi network from a smartphone. As of right now, the unit is offered by Lowe’s and Nest’s online store. It sells for $249 and will likely remain the same price if and when Apple begins to carry the product.

Source: iLounge

[turdsmoka]

Go get one. They are great.

[joshlogic]

I bought one a few months ago for my house. One of the best purchases I've ever made! It's pricey, but well worth it in energy savings. Plus, it's damn cool to adjust your thermostat from your phone.

[vaughnhenry2]

I agree... I love my nest thermostat!

[catstide]

I was on the waiting list and ready to buy till I found out it wouldn't work with my system.

[texan]

For $249, I'll Pass...

[turdsmoka]

For $249, I'll Pass...

Unless you live underground, you'll save that much money pretty quickly.

[TheDirtyDiddler]

$1.99??!!! What a rip off!!!! Make it $.99 and add a bunch more features and I'll think about it!!!!!

[raxal]

For $249, I'll Pass...

I bought one, but returned because the screen is always off. They advertised the thermostat all over showing the screen on, but the screen goes off in less than a minute, after that, what you see is a black thing attached to the wall, then people ask: what is this thing for? The black thing attached to the wall does not look pretty.

Yes, the thermostat looks solid, very well built, and I guess the most important part is be able to use your iphone to control it.

[VP1990]

I bought one, but returned because the screen is always off. They advertised the thermostat all over showing the screen on, but the screen goes off in less than a minute, after that, what you see is a black thing attached to the wall, then people ask: what is this thing for? The black thing attached to the wall does not look pretty.

Yes, the thermostat looks solid, very well built, and I guess the most important part is be able to use your iphone to control it.

I think there is an option in the settings to keep the thermostat LCD on all the time or have it turn on whenever someone walks by it.

[JPili]

I bought one, but returned because the screen is always off. They advertised the thermostat all over showing the screen on, but the screen goes off in less than a minute, after that, what you see is a black thing attached to the wall, then people ask: what is this thing for? The black thing attached to the wall does not look pretty.

Yes, the thermostat looks solid, very well built, and I guess the most important part is be able to use your iphone to control it.

What a stupid reason

[jeffrh]

He looks constipated.

[SC10E]

There are much cheaper thermostats that you can program yourself that save you just as much (if not more) money than this. A prettier looking thermostat with a nice GUI is not worth more than a traditional one that can save more if you know what you are doing.