AfterDawn: News

Nest now open to third-party applications

Google's Nest Labs has opened up the technology to third parties, allowing other companies to build apps that can communicate with the smart home products.

The company says over 5000 developers have already expressed interest in building apps for Nest and the Nest line of products.



Nest is already working with Whirlpool and Chamberlain (maker of automatic garage door openers) with the goal of connecting the home in better ways. For example, closing a garage door can alert the Nest that the family is not home and turn off the heat to save electricity and gas. LED light bulbs from startup Lifx can flash red if the Nest detects smoke. The list goes on.

Google acquired Nest for $3.2 billion this year, and Nest just acquired video monitoring home security firm Dropcam for $550 million.

Source:
Reuters

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 24 Jun 2014 22:59

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• 3 comments

• mightyzog

  Too bad they can't integrate a wifi extender in the smoke detectors. Then they would be worth the cost.

  24.6.2014 23:15 #1

• SProdigy

  While I like home automation ideas, closing my garage door and having my heat or AC shut off in the process, isn't wise. I know it's just an example, but I could be leaving to get carryout dinner and be back in minutes. Or what about very hot/cold days, where a shutdown means your system doesn't kick back on till the garage door opens again? Then you're back inside a hot box of a house, which will take more energy to cool off! The trade off isn't all that good. They'll have to come up with some better ideas before I take the dive.

  25.6.2014 13:41 #2

• hearme0

  Originally posted by SProdigy: While I like home automation ideas, closing my garage door and having my heat or AC shut off in the process, isn't wise. I know it's just an example, but I could be leaving to get carryout dinner and be back in minutes. Or what about very hot/cold days, where a shutdown means your system doesn't kick back on till the garage door opens again? Then you're back inside a hot box of a house, which will take more energy to cool off! The trade off isn't all that good. They'll have to come up with some better ideas before I take the dive.
  
  Agreed!
  
  
  People need to take this "convenience" perspective seriously!! Mindless morons that roam this planet only looking 10ft in front of them should NOT be afforded the ability to turn major appliances on/off by simply closing doors.
  
  RECIPE FOR DISASTER and A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LATER ON.

  25.6.2014 20:52 #3