Google Nest has announced an updated version of its thermostat that will now have a bigger display and new features to make it smarter and perform better.
According to PCWorld, Nest thermostat has been given a much larger display with a 2-inch diameter. The size has increased by 40 percent compared to the last model released, making reading and viewing from a distance a synch. It was also noted that the latest Nest thermostat version is thinner.
Nest also revealed the addition of a new safety feature called "Furnace Heads-Up," which will keep track of what's happening in the furnace. Nest thermostat will be able to record and analyze shut-off patterns that will be used to detect overheating. Owners and users shall be notified and given regular updates via the Nest app which sends out monthly reports. Owners of older models will get the free update which will roll out before the year ends.
Another important addition that Nest thermostat will have aside from a bigger display, according to Forbes, is what the company calls "Farsight." Using sensors placed in front of the device, Nest can detect a person or a user from 25 feet and will automatically activate the thermostat screen. Users will have the option to display temperature or time.
Other upgrades can be found inside Nest thermostat starting with the WiFi radio. Instead of running on the 2.4GHz spectrum used in earlier models, it will now be 5GHz. Nest said this update should bump up the thermostat's performance in terms of connectivity. The thermostat temperature sensors have also been increased in number with the new Nest thermostat getting 10 instead of three that were the standard for the older models. This improvement will mean better accuracy in detecting temperature as compared with the first two versions of the product.
The third generation "Learning Thermostat" will be sold online and at some physical stores including Best Buy, Google Store, Home Depot, and Verizon's stores. The hardware was sold in Apple Store until recently.
