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> I still give the Nest away to family members and friends because of how simple it is to use.

The tap through menus are anything but pleasant. Just watch this video:

https://youtu.be/YD3DfoJ3TVw?t=7m24s

To use a phone analogy it is like using a Nokia 3100 to write text messages, tap tap tap A, tap tap tap B, tap tap tap C. You have to do this literally in some cases to set the name.

Contrast that with this:

https://youtu.be/CmvX6YgAqMI?t=1m18s

To use the phone analogy once again, this is like using an iPhone to write text messages.

One is a modern accessible UX not dissimilar from a smartphone, the other is clunky and dated, you're working around limitations of the physical design.

> Does the Honeywell integrate with your utility to provide you rebates if you use their load shedding program?

Neither the Nest or Honeywell do.

> Does it have AirWave, integrate with Google Now, an API

It is a thermostat. It might have some of these, but they're beyond the scope of what I expect or would use from either one.

It does offer history, most smart thermostats do.

> Nest second place in the market. Puh-lease!

That's what people said about Blackberry too. I think touchscreen interfaces are a proven technology that consumers love.

The Nest could come back from this, they can offer additional product lines that address what their competitors are doing.

Some people legitimately do want a minimalist product. There is a real market for that. Others want a straight forward product with an iPad-like UX.



Frankly, the market will decide. As long as competitors include the right hardware, they can always iterate on software repeatedly.

The Nest sales numbers are terribly high compared to Honeywell, and Nest has Google behind it. I wouldn't want to be Honeywell.


In my (recent) experience, Honeywell owns the HVAC contractor market, which is where these decisions are being made on installation, repair, and maintenance.

Limited sample size but between three furnace + air quotes proposed in August 2015, all three contractors recommended the Honeywell and all three contractors dismissed the Nest as a gimmick with lackluster functionality compared to the Honeywell.


Over a year ago, Nest was selling 100K thermostats a month:

http://www.businessinsider.com/nest-revenue-2014-1


I worked at Nest on their professional distribution channel for some time. The thermostat market is dominated by professional sales (80-90% are sold and installed by professional HVAC contractors) whereas Nest traditionally sold through to a consumer/DIY audience. Nest has a very steep uphill battle against Honeywell the way Apple has had an uphill battle against Windows in large enterprise. Nest just has more mindshare amongst the tech/early adopter community.


I don't disagree its an uphill battle. I'm arguing that Google is a cash machine, and Honeywell is not. Google could continue forever trying to push Nest if they wanted to.




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