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This is brilliant. This is the kind of innovation that we should idolize. I feel like we tend to get excited about things like Facebook, Foursquare, Instagram o

by SeoxyS 15y ago

This is brilliant. This is the kind of innovation that we should idolize. I feel like we tend to get excited about things like Facebook, Foursquare, Instagram or Color, if it combines all the right buzzwords like social, mobile and photos. We tend to forget what real innovation is. Well, this is it. You're taking a boring, underserved segment of the market and revolutionizing it. And guess what, the potential for social good and the environment is much greater when you redesign the thermostat, than when you make another social mobile picture-sharing service.

k1ngofpancakes 15y ago
I would agree that it breathes life into a pretty neglected piece of equipment, but my concern would be that it isn't in any way entertaining, and the common element in the great innovations as of late have all catered to just that; keeping people entertained. Its defintely an exciting idea, but I just can't see anybody become truly taken with their thermostat.Perhaps its a jaded world view, but I feel that there is great demand for games and distractions, and not necessarily quality products or innovation. I can't help but consider that RIM is struggling for market share, and its largely been attributed to a lack of innovative games/apps. I do agree that this product presents a greater benefit to the earth and humanity as a whole, but my concern is that the populous may not notice. Will enough people buy in to make this economically viable? I certainly hope so....
- CognitiveLens 15y ago
  It sounds like they are actually trying to throw in some 'entertainment'/gamification features, according to the Wired article (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/10/nest_thermostat/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/10/nest_thermostat/), such as a leaf icon (achievement badge) that shows up when you've set the temp to something eco-friendly. There's also a lot of potential with the web/mobile app, where system monitoring can be done in some interesting and interactive ways. I hate to bring in the cliches, but this actually has potential to have some kind of social media integration. A significant minority of people love keeping track of the personal data of their lives, and this can be another platform for exactly that.
officemonkey 15y ago
>His goal is to take something we never think about and make it more than just sexy– he wants to make it a “beloved” object in the home. Call me cynical, but it doesn't sound like innovation, it sounds like hype. I have a programmable thermostat, and it turns off and on based on a temperature schedule. I mess with it four times a year: twice to change the time zone and once to turn it to "Air Conditioning" and once to turn it to "Heat." Now, do I think you can do something clever with it? Sure. How about an interface on my phone or tablet to replace the wimpy LCD screen, the fiddly plastic buttons, and the page of directions. Oh, and if the new thermostat was "smart" and saved me (potentially lots of) money? Even better. But "beloved"? Not a chance. Also, is there room to the thing to add "automatic lighting" and appliance control (dishwasher, washer/dryer)? Mmmaybe. But frankly, that could be done by wifi/bluetooth on the appliance and an app as well.

by SeoxyS 15y ago

k1ngofpancakes 15y ago

I would agree that it breathes life into a pretty neglected piece of equipment, but my concern would be that it isn't in any way entertaining, and the common element in the great innovations as of late have all catered to just that; keeping people entertained. Its defintely an exciting idea, but I just can't see anybody become truly taken with their thermostat.Perhaps its a jaded world view, but I feel that there is great demand for games and distractions, and not necessarily quality products or innovation. I can't help but consider that RIM is struggling for market share, and its largely been attributed to a lack of innovative games/apps. I do agree that this product presents a greater benefit to the earth and humanity as a whole, but my concern is that the populous may not notice. Will enough people buy in to make this economically viable? I certainly hope so....

CognitiveLens 15y ago
It sounds like they are actually trying to throw in some 'entertainment'/gamification features, according to the Wired article (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/10/nest_thermostat/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/10/nest_thermostat/), such as a leaf icon (achievement badge) that shows up when you've set the temp to something eco-friendly. There's also a lot of potential with the web/mobile app, where system monitoring can be done in some interesting and interactive ways. I hate to bring in the cliches, but this actually has potential to have some kind of social media integration. A significant minority of people love keeping track of the personal data of their lives, and this can be another platform for exactly that.

officemonkey 15y ago

>His goal is to take something we never think about and make it more than just sexy– he wants to make it a “beloved” object in the home. Call me cynical, but it doesn't sound like innovation, it sounds like hype. I have a programmable thermostat, and it turns off and on based on a temperature schedule. I mess with it four times a year: twice to change the time zone and once to turn it to "Air Conditioning" and once to turn it to "Heat." Now, do I think you can do something clever with it? Sure. How about an interface on my phone or tablet to replace the wimpy LCD screen, the fiddly plastic buttons, and the page of directions. Oh, and if the new thermostat was "smart" and saved me (potentially lots of) money? Even better. But "beloved"? Not a chance. Also, is there room to the thing to add "automatic lighting" and appliance control (dishwasher, washer/dryer)? Mmmaybe. But frankly, that could be done by wifi/bluetooth on the appliance and an app as well.