Skip to main content

Get ready for Nest's newest thermostat and camera versions

nest next products oped
Image used with permission by copyright holder
After last week’s resignation by Nest CEO Tony Faddell, questions were raised about what would be next for Nest. Faddell is going to serve as an adviser for Nest parent company Alphabet, Inc. — you know, it used to be called Google.

While Faddell will also be looking for other industries to disrupt, as he said in his resignation blog post last week, newly appointed Nest CEO Marwan Fawaz assured Nest employees that “Nest is categorically not for sale,” in a memo to employees obtained and published  by The Verge.

Recommended Videos

We now have an idea of what the first signs of Nest’s growth will look like. Nest is planning an outdoor version of the Nest Cam and more colors for the Nest thermostat, according to Tech Insider and confirmed by Nest sources to The Verge.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The Nest Cam, is an updated version of the Dropcam, which has been “redesigned inside and out,” Nest wrote in an email to Digital Trends earlier this week. The Nest Cam streams video to the internet. The outdoor version will have a power cable rather than run on batteries, and will be available in a white, more rugged, and weather resistant case, sources told The Verge. As for the new colors for the Nest thermostat, the same sources said the colors would be “tasteful,” with color trim accents.

Nest products have strong brand recognition, wide support among other smart home products, and are available in a growing list of thousands of retail locations. While the new thermostat and camera are not new product categories, they extend the current products to broader applications and markets, which translates to greater profit for the division in the near term while Nest works on something truly new.

There is no confirmed news about what new products are in the works at Nest, though it might be the home alarm code-named “Flintstone” that was in development for three years but never made it to market. When Tech Insider asked if an alarm was the next product, it was told “that’s a good guess” that “would make a lot of sense.” So we won’t be shocked if a Nest Alarm is next.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
How long does it take to calibrate the Ecobee Smart Thermostat?
Ecobee Smart Thermostat installed on a wall.

Ecobee produces a range of powerful smart thermostats, and all of them need to go through a calibration phase during setup. And if you're new to the Ecobee system, you might be surprised at how long this can take. Thankfully, a long calibration phase is a normal part of the process -- that means there's not much you need to do other than wait.

Here's a closer look at the Ecobee Smart Thermostat calibration process, along with reasons why you might see the calibration process after your initial installation.
How long does calibration take on Ecobee's Smart Thermostat?

Read more
Should you enroll your Amazon Smart Thermostat in the Energy Savings Program?
The Amazon Smart Thermostat hanging on wall.

The Amazon Smart Thermostat can be enrolled in a variety of Energy Savings Incentives Programs. These vary by location, but they essentially work to lower your energy bills by allowing the utility company to temporarily adjust your settings. This typically happens during peak hours or when the power grid is overloaded, allowing the utility company to reduce stress by manipulating your thermostat. Amazon says these events only happen a few times annually (commonly during the summer). Are the energy savings worth the inconvenience?

Here's a quick look at the Energy Savings Incentives Programs offered on the Amazon Smart Thermostat and whether or not you should enroll.
What are Energy Savings Incentives Programs

Read more
Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs. Amazon Smart Thermostat: Which is best for your home?
The Amazon Smart Thermostat.

Smart thermostats are an easy way to upgrade your home's heating and cooling skills, and few products are as popular as the Amazon Smart Thermostat and Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen). The two offer many of the same basic features, though you'll find a handful of drastic differences between the devices -- starting with their price tag.

From pricing and design to installation and available features, here's a closer look at the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Amazon Smart Thermostat to help you decide which is better for your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more