Nest Learning Thermostat Is the iPod of Household Appliances

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Disruptive technology does not always need to be about computers, smartphones and tablets, which is why one of the original iPod’s designers, Tony Fadell, has launched an energy-saving thermostat with artificial intelligence as his next big project.

Tony Fadell was among the designers of the original iPod way back in 2001. After the success of his brainchild, and after serving as apple’s senior VP for iPod, Fadell left the company and took a year-long vacation in Paris. During this time, he conceptualized his next big project: a learning thermostat.

Fadell’s new company, Nest, is involved in creating what is perhaps the home appliance world’s equivalent of the iPod. It’s beautiful, technologically advanced, and it just works. And the new device, the Nest Learning Thermostat, is already available for pre-order through Best Buy or Nest.com. The new thermostat promises to help save the world by reducing energy wasted from inefficient use of the HVAC system, both in households and commercial establishments.

Nest plans to rid the world of old thermostats, which are clunky, ugly, and difficult to program. The Nest Learning Thermostat has a simple interface — push it in to open the menu, and turn the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise to set. The thermostat has sensors to detect the presence of occupants in the house or office. After a few days of use, the Nest Learning Thermostat will adjust itself according to usage patterns, which negates the need to make constant adjustments that are often costly and energy-wasting.

Users can also control the Nest through their smartphones and through the web, as it is WiFi-capable. Once installed, Nest will also build up a profile of your electricity usage, and will help point out how you can save on energy from your home heating and air conditioning. You get a green “leaf” as a reward for setting the thermostat to power-saving settings.

In iPod fashion, all this comes in an interesting product, from the way the thermostat is packaged, to installation (even basic DIY-ers can install the Nest) to use. What else can we expect from someone who designed the iPod?