Nest Learning Thermostat reportedly taken off Apple Store shelves
The first product to come out of ex-Apple executive Tony Fadell's startup Nest, the Nest Learning Thermostat, has reportedly been quietly pulled from shelves at a number of brick-and-mortar Apple Stores for unknown reasons.
While it cannot be officially confirmed that Apple Stores have stopped selling the Nest thermostat altogether, AppleInsider contacted a random sampling of outlets and found that each had taken down its in-store display units.
Some employees, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they had been told to pull the item while others simply stated that they were out of stock. One location confirmed that the device was on site but had been locked away in a storage room for reasons unknown. The same store said it received no instructions beyond those to take the Nest off the sales floor.
At the time of this report the unit was still in stock and ready to ship on Apple's online store but curiously it was not available for in-store pickup. An Apple Store employee corroborated this information though had no further insight into the matter.
It is unclear why the thermostat was removed from the Apple Store, but a representative at a nearby location of Nest sales partner Lowe's said the big-box home improvement store received a new shipment on Thursday and plans to stock them on shelves within four to five days.
Apple's online store shows the Nest Learning Thermostat is "in stock" but not eligible for in-store pickup. | Source: Apple
The brainchild of Tony Fadell, also known as the "grandfather of the iPod," the $250 Nest Learning Thermostat uses sensors and an on-board CPU to efficiently control temperatures according to a variety of environmental factors. Users can also control the unit with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, all iPad models, and the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch.
The Nest is currently being sold under the "iPod accessories" category on Apple's online store and is listed as an "app-enabled accessory."
While it cannot be officially confirmed that Apple Stores have stopped selling the Nest thermostat altogether, AppleInsider contacted a random sampling of outlets and found that each had taken down its in-store display units.
Some employees, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they had been told to pull the item while others simply stated that they were out of stock. One location confirmed that the device was on site but had been locked away in a storage room for reasons unknown. The same store said it received no instructions beyond those to take the Nest off the sales floor.
At the time of this report the unit was still in stock and ready to ship on Apple's online store but curiously it was not available for in-store pickup. An Apple Store employee corroborated this information though had no further insight into the matter.
It is unclear why the thermostat was removed from the Apple Store, but a representative at a nearby location of Nest sales partner Lowe's said the big-box home improvement store received a new shipment on Thursday and plans to stock them on shelves within four to five days.
Apple's online store shows the Nest Learning Thermostat is "in stock" but not eligible for in-store pickup. | Source: Apple
The brainchild of Tony Fadell, also known as the "grandfather of the iPod," the $250 Nest Learning Thermostat uses sensors and an on-board CPU to efficiently control temperatures according to a variety of environmental factors. Users can also control the unit with the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, all iPad models, and the third- and fourth-generation iPod touch.
The Nest is currently being sold under the "iPod accessories" category on Apple's online store and is listed as an "app-enabled accessory."
Comments
I'm very concerned this may be the result of draconian Apple store policies.
I did not see one in the Madison, WI store today either. Wanted to take a peak at the box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eksodos
I'm very concerned this may be the result of draconian Apple store policies.
And which policy is that? The one you made up?
This isn't an iOS app, it's a physical product at the retail stores.
draconian means to set death as a punishment for even the most minor infractions of law. they removed items from their shelves.
Quote:
Originally Posted by moosebreath
draconian means to set death as a punishment for even the most minor infractions of law.
Not really.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/draconian
yes really
Screw Draco, he doesn't even exist.
It's a home improvement product for sure. But it's also controllable via iOS devices.
The Nest would be a lot more visible in a tiny Apple store... than in a giant home improvement warehouse.
Plus... shoppers in an Apple Store would probably have more of an understanding about the whole iOS part of it. (though I'm not saying anything bad about the shoppers of Lowes)
I think it should be sold in both places... and I believe it will be a devastating blow if they can't sell them in Apple Stores anymore.
It might looook cool, but it's just more wireless junk unnecessarily radiating your brain in your own home ... I need it like a tumour. No wireless in my house.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wozwoz
It might looook cool, but it's just more wireless junk unnecessarily radiating your brain in your own home ... I need it like a tumour. No wireless in my house.
You don't need an app to use the thermostat. If you are worried about that, I assume you must not be using WiFi in your life or cell phones.
it's simple really, they're about to release the new Retina Nest Thermostat
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boltsfan17
You don't need an app to use the thermostat. If you are worried about that, I assume you must not be using WiFi in your life or cell phones.
Some people do, and they probably will be proven right in 30 years or so...
You know, 30 years ago, it was impossible that plastics could have any effect on human health. It was absurd to even suggest it. Where are we now? Same situation.
I agree but I was just offering a possible guess as to why, if it has been removed. That being that Apple might be getting calls about the wiring or wall repairs. As I said it is a wonderful device, a dream come true in fact. I want every household device I have like this and I hope the Nest guys have other products up their sleeves.
By the way it isn't lost at our Lowes, they have a large dedicated area for Nest complete with a demo and video monitor and a large graphical display. You can't miss it. It is the most visible product in the entire store. This stand alone area is dead center in the store too.
Haha good one. You are joking right?
Yeah... I wanna know why too.
I hope there's more to this story.
I wonder if this an issue with identity. You go to an Apple Store for thermostats like you go to Home Depot for iPhones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
It cannot be because there is anything wrong with the Nest as such. I don't know how we ever lived without one, we love it. Maybe it is a just a stock issue but if it has been pulled perhaps it simply isn't a good fit. It is a home improvement product first and foremost and maybe Lowes is a better place for it. It is the easiest thing to install imaginable but we have to remember half the populations have an IQ of <100 and maybe there could be support issues not related the technology itself. You do have to remove the old one and deal with wires, spackel and paint not to mention a screw driver.
"I don't know how we ever lived without one,"
Funny, this guy I met in Africa said the same about running water!