iPod inventor announces a hot and steamy new gadget: a thermostat

Lee Bell
October 25, 2011
2 Comments
Nest Thermostat

Nest Learning Thermostat: has it's beady blue eye on all your heat seeking activities

It’s been all about the iPod this week. Only a day after Apple celebrated its 10th anniversary of its innovative and iconic music player; its inventor – Tony Fadell – has launched his own new gadget: The Nest Learning Thermostat.

Yes, that’s correct, a thermostat. Don’t start yawning just yet though. It doesn’t sound the most awe-inspiring creation in the world, we know. But still, with the experience that not many others can acclaim, it’s worth taking note what this man has been up to.

As a former Apple executive, Fadell might not have invented the iPod single-handedly, but he did conceive it. He caught Apple’s eye, got them interested and went on to shepherd the development of 18 generations of different iPod products. And if it wasn’t for the iPod, we probably wouldn’t have seen the iPhone. See what we mean? This man could have invented a toilet cleaner and we would have been interested. Anyway, Fadell left Apple in 2008 and several years later founded a start-up called Nest Labs. It was in this warm nest that Fadell conceived and gave birth to the idea of his next pioneering invention; the Learning Thermostat.

The device promises to rock your home life, just like the iPod rocked your music world. Though it won’t perform sexual favours – it will keep you warm at the times when someone else wont. And if you happen to have a sexual routine, it’ll remember, all while looking good and smug on your wall.

In a report by Co.Design, the man himself explained how the device promises to turn home energy management into a must-have symbol of sustainable living. He intends it to be “a jewel on the wall,” adding “most people try to hide the thermostat, but we’re trying to make it sexy and coveted so that you cherish it, and at parties people ask you about it and you’re proud of it.”

It may sound hard to believe, but the device proves it’s not just about looking sexy in the corner of the room, like a Thai bride. It also specialises in the other main thing that makes the world go round: money. Fadell noted that the thermostat business was ripe for disruption when inventing his new Nest product. After investigating the market, he discovered that ten million thermostats are sold every year and only 6% of programmable thermostats are actually programmed. He also found that a programmed thermostat can save 30-40% in heating and cooling costs. Putting two and two together, he developed the thermostat of money-saving dreams and developed one that learns how hot you like your house and at what times. He said: “Instead of programming their thermostats, most people have given up and treat it like a light switch, but you have to make those manual adjustments about 1500 times a year if you want to see any real energy savings.”

The thermostat will retail for $249.99 and will be in US stores just in time for the season when you’ll need it the most: November. Will you be buying one? Or are you not one of those people too lazy to programme your standard thermostat?

Maybe this video will help you decide…

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Tags: Apple, Article, Ipod, thermostat
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  • Ed

    Does it have communication and computing features? It sounds unlikely that Apple now comes up with devices not related to such.

    • Leebell87

      Hi Ed,
      The iPod inventor, Tony Fadell, left Apple in 2008 to set up his own company – Nest – which has made the thermostat. So it’s not an Apple product but as it’s been made by the creator of the iPod it’s got some features that do resemble the device ie. intuitive user interface and simple design, etc. Don’t know ifit will be as successful though…There’s probably a lot less people interested in central heating than music playing… Would you consider buying one?