Makers of Nest thermostat to make 'Protect' smoke detector [u]
Nest Labs, the brainchild of former Apple executive Tony Fadell, is developing a connected smoke detector to go along with its Nest Learning Thermostat, with the device possibly slated for debut later this year.
Update: A follow-up report from AllThingsD cites a source as saying the smoke detector will be named "Protect," but will not be initially offered with a subscription plan for monitoring alerts.
Although not much is known about the Nest's supposed smoke detector, the device is apparently being developed to go along with the flagship Nest Learning Thermostat and would presumably be just as sensor laden, with advanced communications technology on-board, reports Jessica Lessin.
People familiar with the future product said specifics have yet to be nailed down, but features may include a subscription monitoring service, communication with the Nest thermostat and the inclusion of next-generation hardware like motion sensors. The sources failed to indicate when the unit might hit store shelves, though it could be as early as the end of this year.
Adding a smoke detector to the company's lineup is perhaps the next logical step for Nest, which is looking to create a suite of "connected home" products that are as sleek as they are functional.
When the Nest Learning Thermostat first launched nearly two years ago, it promised to bring smart home capabilities to the masses with a somewhat affordable $250 price tag. The original device was sold through Apple Stores and home improvement chains like Lowes.
A second-generation thermostat was released about one year ago, with the aluminum clad device getting a slight redesign and enhanced functionality. It's available from Amazon and other retailers for roughly $250.
Update: A follow-up report from AllThingsD cites a source as saying the smoke detector will be named "Protect," but will not be initially offered with a subscription plan for monitoring alerts.
Although not much is known about the Nest's supposed smoke detector, the device is apparently being developed to go along with the flagship Nest Learning Thermostat and would presumably be just as sensor laden, with advanced communications technology on-board, reports Jessica Lessin.
People familiar with the future product said specifics have yet to be nailed down, but features may include a subscription monitoring service, communication with the Nest thermostat and the inclusion of next-generation hardware like motion sensors. The sources failed to indicate when the unit might hit store shelves, though it could be as early as the end of this year.
Adding a smoke detector to the company's lineup is perhaps the next logical step for Nest, which is looking to create a suite of "connected home" products that are as sleek as they are functional.
When the Nest Learning Thermostat first launched nearly two years ago, it promised to bring smart home capabilities to the masses with a somewhat affordable $250 price tag. The original device was sold through Apple Stores and home improvement chains like Lowes.
A second-generation thermostat was released about one year ago, with the aluminum clad device getting a slight redesign and enhanced functionality. It's available from Amazon and other retailers for roughly $250.
Comments
So I'm asleep with my phone turned off and Nest is silently warning me that my kitchen is on fire. Sweet
So I'm asleep with my phone turned off and Nest is silently warning me that my kitchen is on fire. Sweet
From which orifice did you pull that out?
It will make noise just like any other smoke detector.
Natural progression, they make a great thermostat... should make light switches and electrical receptacles, door bell/cameras.... many things should be integrated. Stop lallygagging Nest.
Would be nice if had a "cooking" mode to disable it for 30 minutes and automatically reactive afterwards... via an iPhone app of course. I have to get up on a ladder and pull the battery out of my smoke detector anytime I cook pan-fried fresh scallops (super hot oil in a heavy skillet). And yes, it's a so-called "kitchen" smoke detector... and it's not even in the kitchen... and I have a vent hood!!! Doesn't matter. Damn alarm goes of every time. So annoying.
Don't you turn on your range hood or have something similar. A "cooking" mode is just asking for trouble. Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home. Most never make beyond the pot but I'd rather not take the chance.
Anyways does the smoke detector really need to be "smart?"
Other than changing the battery once a year and hitting the test button. Its something that you don't interact with on a daily basis.
You hope never to even have your smoke detector do its job, as that means there is a probability something unpleasant has occurred.
If you walk away from your cooking and let it catch fire, that’s your problem. I shouldn’t have to deal with my smoke detectors behaving like hungry toddlers whenever I turn the oven on.
Once a year? Get yourself some’a’dem ten year ones with the built in battery.
Maybe the smoke has a motion sensor in it so if it detects motion, it knows you're in the room and doesn't need to alert you
If it had a motion sensor, it could activate the light switches and electrical outlets. And turn them all off when you are not there. That would save energy by deactivating "power brick" transformers on electrical appliances.
It could also be a wifi range extender.
My smoke/co2 detectors, bulk contractor version made by Kiddie, are all wired together and connected to my alarm system. If a fire breaks out in the garage, all the alarms sound throughout the house. I can't imagine any other configuration. All are AC powered with battery backup. I don't have any detectors immediately in the kitchen but just a few feet awy in the hall. Never had an issue with cooking setting it off. Each bedroom has a detector to make sure no one is smoking, whatever, in the house.
What message is it going to communicate to the Nest? There is a fire, turn the A/C down as low as it will go??
Probably "turn off the HVAC" to prevent the fan from delivering extra oxygen (to slow the growth of a fire - particularly systems that have an air-to-air exchanger) and to keep the system from distributing smoke to other areas of the building (to slow the spread of smoke). Think about it: A fire will create heat which will result in a call for cooling. The HVAC fan kicks on and does nothing but help circulate smoke.
This is going to hard sell. A sensor laden Smoke Detector likely means that it's going to be 3-5x more expensive than your typical unit at Lowes or Home Despot (snicker).
Nest could add some nice integration with the Thermostat to get a more clear picture of movement through the home but pricing is going to be essential here since most homes have at least 5 detectors an few people are going to want to pay $250 to replace the current detectors.
Good point. They'd need some features like that to justify the extra price.
When you start adding features to something like a smoke detector, you quickly reach the point where a $300 fire panel and some low voltage wiring will do a better job of protecting you.
Do I want my smoke detector to text me at work to say my house might be burning down, or do I want a panel communicating with a central station who will dispatch the fire department in a matter of seconds?
I can see how this makes sense if they include an occupancy sensor and temperature sensor to tell the Nest thermostat if someone is home/away and also to get a remote temperature. Possibly solar load (though that'd be tough being outside of direct sunlight).
An interesting idea would be to include a multicolor strobe for "notifications". Imagine a smart door bell causing the smoke alarm strobe and the nest display noting "someone at the front door". If it's a powered smoke alarm then voice notifications as well ("Fire detected in upstairs bath!").
That said I'm bit annoyed that they haven't opened up their API for 3rd party developers/other home automation integration. It'd be nice to use this with Indigo (http://www.perceptiveautomation.com/indigo/index.html).