Google Testing Smart Appliance, Would Compete With Nest Thermostat

cagraham writes "Google is currently testing a web-connected thermostat, similar to the popular Nest Thermostat, according to The Information. The device would display energy usage details, and allow user's to control it from a web app. This actually marks the second time Google has ventured into home energy, after their PowerMeter web app that was shut down in 2011. Web connected devices could allow Google access to a treasure trove of data on people's daily habits and routines."

fool me twice, shame on me

[larry bagina]

Thanks but we all know you'll get bored and drop support for it in 6 months, bricking your (because it's licensed not purchased) thermostat in the process. If you have a problem with a Nest thermostat, you can call them up and talk to a person. If you have a problem with a google anything, you can, well, fuck off, because supportis the one thing Google can't find.

Re:Nest too expensive for what it is

[bradgoodman]

It's too cold? Override. Too hot? Override. In the end, the programmable thermostat reverts to a plain old one because no one can be bothered to reprogram the damn thing..

Damn straight! That's why I did this with my Honeywell! ;-)

http://www.bradgoodman.com/thermostat/ [bradgoodman.com]

Re:Web connected

[Lumpy]

Best thing to do then is build your own. because ANY commercial product will spy on you. None of these scumbag companies are interested in giving you control over your property.

Plus it had better support more modern furnaces, the NEST only works with really old furnaces, it will not work with a Bryant Evolution or any of the other more modern HVAC systems that use rs485 full data communication to deliver more information back and forth.

Re: Don't care...

[mythosaz]

I'm marked Troll for some reason. Apparently an informed decision of making a trade of privacy for convenience and liking what I get from Google in exchange for that isn't a valid opinion here.

You know what? I like my phone buzzing about 10 minutes before I normally leave from work to alert me about traffic, and I'm willing to let Google know where I am and where I live (something they knew what I ordered a GPE One from them anyway) in exchange.

By the same token, I'm willing to allow them to sniff my mail (or read it wholesale, I suppose) in exchange for providing me contextually aware ads. What's that? A link to something my brother wants for Christmas? Maybe I'll shop there. Everyone wins, including my brother.

I'm willing to make a number of other trade-offs, even knowing that this data becomes more powerful in aggregate. If my phone beeps on Wednesday, noticing I didn't go home, but out to dinner instead, and asks me if I want to delay turning on the air conditioning, I'll accept that too in exchange for the return I get in terms of convenience.

I've weighed the value of my privacy against the services they return. I'm not a private person, and I know how to compartmentalize what they do and don't get from me. I like my end of the deal, and if I ever don't, I'll discontinue using their services.