Apple will soon offer the Nest Learning Thermostat through both its online and retail Apple Stores, iLounge reported Friday. The internet- and iOS-enabled thermostat will sell for $249.
Nest, a digital thermostat that “learns” over time based on user behavior, was released to much media interest late last year. The product’s parent company, Nest Labs, was co-founded in 2010 by former Apple senior vice president and iPod creator Tony Fadell. The Nest attracted the attention of tech consumers and media not just due to its creator’s heritage, but also as a result of the undeniably “geeky” nature of the device. Internally, the Nest uses a “combination of sensors, algorithms, machine learning, and cloud computing” to learn from user behavior how to best maintain a home’s environmental settings while optimizing energy efficiency. Externally, the device is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing users with mobile devices to access their Nest via a free app, with which they can remotely adjust temperature settings, view historical data, and estimate energy usage.
The Nest itself is also beautifully and simply designed, with just a single control dial, paying homage its iPod step-sibling and it has received mostly positive reviews since its launch. If you can’t wait for Apple to start selling them, you can pick one up now at other retailers, such as Lowes, or via Nest’s website.
