Nest, an unlimited budget yet was an utter failure

[aarond12]

I almost purchased a Nest thermostat. It was what I thought I wanted, but I was always curious why a single-point thermostat would be significantly better than a plain WiFi thermostat. I couldn't come up with a good answer, so I purchased a $99 Honeywell WiFi thermostat. It worked perfectly.

Now that I've focused on de-Google-fying my life, I'm glad I didn't get the Nest. I don't need Google knowing when I'm home and when I'm not. Paranoia? No, just trying to keep my private life private.

With my new home, I got an EcoBee3 thermostat because of its ability to use multiple sensors around the house and intelligently adjust the temperature. That it's HomeKit capable is just icing on the cake. And my information isn't being sent to the Google collective.

 

[Arran]

...I don't need Google knowing when I'm home and when I'm not. Paranoia? No, just trying to keep my private life private.

...And my information isn't being sent to the Google collective.

I've had two nest thermostats at home for years and I love them. When the nest smoke alarms were released, I installed three immediately. It was a no-brainier.

And then, within weeks, Google bought Nest and I immediately thought the same as you. I pulled them out pronto and got a full refund.

I think mere association with the Google brand hurt Nest irreparably. Really took it down-market.

 

[maflynn]

I think mere association with the Google brand hurt Nest irreparably. Really took it down-market.

I think for consumers, its a non-issue, I don't think Google buying nest hurt the brand. Google's brand is very popular, and it has not hurt other products, such as youtube, gmail. I don't think google owning nest is the cause.

 

[Arran]

I think for consumers, its a non-issue, I don't think Google buying nest hurt the brand. Google's brand is very popular, and it has not hurt other products, such as youtube, gmail. I don't think google owning nest is the cause.

Beg to differ. I'm a consumer. Nest customer too. Why do you think privacy's a non-issue for consumers?

I'll admit I'm not that enamored of Google's "free" services that turn the consumer into the product. I trusted Nest when it was independent. I was happy to pay it's premium pricing back then.

Acquisition by Google changed everything because home-automation devices are laden with sensors. I don't want to share my home (and everything that goes on in) it with Google.

 

[maflynn]

Beg to differ. I'm a consumer. Nest customer too. Why do you think privacy's a non-issue for consumers?

You're not a typical consumer who sees the Nest thermostat in Home Depot. Members here are more aware of Google's practices and many folks here don't like Google just from the perspective that Google is Apple's competitor.

I think people by and large are concerned about privacy, but I don't think that concern extends to the point where are avoiding google or dropping products because suddenly they're in the google (now alphabet) family.

 

[Arran]

You're not a typical consumer who sees the Nest thermostat in Home Depot.

True that, I saw it in Lowes. More upmarket than sorry-old HD!

However, I actually bought all my Nest Protects in Home Depot. So, really, I'm just a typical consumer. No need to make me feel special

 

[LorenK]

Oh, and, but of course, Google is doomed (just like Apple is doomed).

We are all doomed.

 

[Zirel]

Always has been and the big companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft) have not been able to crack into it and create a standard for all to use.

I am looking at Lutron now, moving away from Belkin's WeMo (way to many issues with updates, by YMMV). I like that Apple has put out the Homekit framework/API's, but the lack of developer's picking it up and running with it, to restrictive? or what appears to be the lack of interest on the part of Apple, is something that needs to change. Until then, we are going to be left with a market that is severally fragmented.

What HomeKit really needs a kick ass marketing campaign.

Agree.
Apple is too restrictive and Google seems too loose. Microsoft, what in the world are they doing?

I have heard nothing but good things about the Lurton system.

Why is Apple restrictive and Google loose?

Google copied 2014 HomeKit 1:1 with their 2015 Weave. The API's, the licensing procedures, etc.

 

[bruinsrme]

What HomeKit really needs a kick ass marketing campaign.



Why is Apple restrictive and Google loose?

Google copied 2014 HomeKit 1:1 with their 2015 Weave. The API's, the licensing procedures, etc.

Nest products are not on the Homekit approved list but will work via Lutron bridge.

Google has had a couple of recent updates addressing privacy and what data is being gathered.
I don't think Apple likes that.

There are some apps that required sys file edits to get to work. no thanks

Lutron seems to be the way to go.

 

[Zirel]

Nest products are not on the Homekit approved list but will work via Lutron bridge.

Google has had a couple of recent updates addressing privacy and what data is being gathered.
I don't think Apple likes that.

There are some apps that required sys file edits to get to work. no thanks

Lutron seems to be the way to go.

Just Ecobee or Honeywell it...

 

[bruinsrme]

Just Ecobee or Honeywell it...

I am somewhat nested.

 

[nrvna76]

I want an Ecobee that's as small as the nest.. Haven't seen it in person but that thing looks huge.

 

[maflynn]

I want an Ecobee that's as small as the nest.. Haven't seen it in person but that thing looks huge.

Yeah the pictures I've seen make it look larger then it is. Here's one that I think shows how it stacks up against the nest. While larger, I don't think its that much larger.

 

[nrvna76]

Yea.. Still quite a bit bigger. 2.08 round vs 3.93 square. But it's about the size of what I have now anyway.

 

[maflynn]

Yea.. Still quite a bit bigger. 2.08 round vs 3.93 square. But it's about the size of what I have now anyway.

It is bigger, but some of the images I was seeing made it look like, that it was huge.

I don't have any A/C in the house, so I need a thermostat to control the heating only. I'm not sure dropping 200+ on a smart thermostat is something I should spend my finite funds - especially when I keep the heat at 60 degrees in the winter, ,i.e., I really don't change it but keep the house a little chilly.