Well this and some other announcements seems to indicate that Google is serious about entering the home control/automation space.
It will be interesting to see if Google introduces disruptive pricing and if thermostats will start streaming ads.
Wow… Didn’t see that coming!
Considering how important privacy is to the users on this forum, I don’t think Google would be the best choice for a HA provider. That said, I am sure they will do well with an already well done brand like Nest.
How much would HVAC repair companies pay to have their ad appear directly on your thermostat when the temperature goes past a certain point? Why didn’t I think of that sooner? Why don’t I have $3 billion? 
I agree about Google and Privacy Concerns. There business is 99% plus knowing what ads to supply you to make them more money.
Frankly I don’t use there DNS either (8.8.8.8), as then they know EVERYWHERE you go on the internet (unless you go direct via IP).
I’m seriously concerned as I have a Nest and 4 x Protects Smoke Detectors…where I feel less safe knowing the largest advertising company in the world has access to my home habits (and away/home status).
John
I don’t have a Nest but I am not best pleased about this news. Not just because of the privacy aspects, but this takeover might also kill Nest’s innovative agility. Brin himself complained on occasion that Google lost much of its agility, and that even him as owner/founder/exec decreeing something no longer always makes it happen.
Google is getting too big for its own good, like Microsoft once was. And Microsoft was only interested in selling us software… If Google trounces the HA market at some point, I’ll switch to a homebrew solution 
[quote=“Z-Waver, post:2, topic:178844”]Well this and some other announcements seems to indicate that Google is serious about entering the home control/automation space.
It will be interesting to see if Google introduces disruptive pricing and if thermostats will start streaming ads.[/quote]
Bwahahaha!
Or they’ll be collecting your temperature data to target clothing ads at you… “I see you’ve been feeling chilly… need a new sweater?”
Aside from the privacy concerns voiced here (which I share), I’m concerned that Nest had planned to open their API. I just bought 3 Nest Protects in anticipation of that.
NSA = Thoroughly vetted and handpicked professionals…or as much as could be for a large government agency (Snowden was a contractor)
Google = Marketers + Computer Engineers
Sadly, I may be naive, but I trust the former more than the latter…and I’m a computer engineer.
On the plus side, a serious injection of capital into the HA space, along with the backing of very serious engineering & data-mining talent will help put a rocket under everyone else.
…the kind of disruption that’s sorely been needed for some time now.
Google indicated their HA intent with “@Home” back in 2010 (or 2009?) but that never seemed to go anywhere.
With the components Nest has, they’re a stone’s throw away from being either a Security provider, with associated monthly revenue, or from controlling your lights… both of which would only be a software change, and they’re already associating the data with an “Account”, which is all that’s needed for Server-side ads in the rest of your online presence.
For lighting control, they only need a software ZLL driver to control COTS bulbs from Sylvania or Phillips. For energy Management, they need a SEP 1.1/2.0 software driver (at least for most modern Energy Meters) and for Security they just need you to deploy a few of their Smoke sensors to act as presence indication… and maybe a few battery Zigbee door sensors for completeness…
They’re well positioned, Trojan House style 
To me, the impact on the API is my biggest issue. Hopefully it doesn’t delay it too much, or cause it to be removed from the plan.
Data wise, Nest was already keeping it outside the home… accessible to all the relevant 3-letter agencies. Folks afraid of that wouldn’t have been using Nest anyhow, so it’s no disruption for them.
I am the proud owner of 4 2nd generation Nest thermostats and two Nest Protects.
Until today, I have enjoyed their products, and considered them a very innovative startup with a bright future.
I will admit, when I read the headline about Google acquiring them, it made me sick. I really don’t like the idea of Google associating all of that private data with my online searches. Seems extremely invasive to me.
That being said, at this point, I plan on continuing to use my Nest products. Let’s see how this whole thing pans out, and hope for the best.
I saw this stick for Z-Wave on Google TV. I’m sure you Vera experts know this already, but Google at least has the capability.
[quote=“AgileHumor, post:14, topic:178844”]I saw this stick for Z-Wave on Google TV. I’m sure you Vera experts know this already, but Google at least has the capability.
http://www.enblink.com/en-blog/tag/z-wave/[/quote]
If the result is that Android gets a built-in app to control homes within the OS, I welcome such an approach.
I think this may end up being a brilliant move by Google.
Look, they did not buy Nest for 3+Billion for a smoke detector and thermostat with a couple of simple apps. Nor are they going to display ads on a 1.5" screen that people mentally block out from their vision processing unless they want the temp changed. That would be useless.
Ignore the creepy factor for now that Google is always running in our home. People willingly give up privacy for utility every day. (Facebook, Internet Access, Smart phones, fit bits, smart cars, toll roads, etc.etc)
They did buy something FAR more valuable. The Nest products are very sophisticated. More than they advertise for the simple function of detection and environmental control. Radios, Presence, Audio Sensors, CO2, Smoke, Speakers, Temp, Humidity, etc.
They now have the ability to tie the Google cloud directly to your home. Right now, the way to get access to Google is via phone, tablet, computer. It has to be in our hands, charged, and unlocked. Very difficult to do while cooking, showering, waking up, or other activities. The device is the bottleneck.
They essentially have the potential ability to turn your environment in to always on “Google Now” environment. A smoke detector in every room is able to always be listening for you . It knows where you are and understands context. Think of the computer in Star Trek. It was always on, ready for someone to ask “Computer!! Where is XXXX” .
Lets start with the ones we would all identify with here:
"Ok Google, sleeping now, set alarm for 6:30, arm security system " … Google knows to turn off the lights, set alarm, and could play your Google Play music from the Nest detector speaker or your android phone when you wake.
“Ok Google, Turn lights to 25%” would know that you said it in the kitchen and turn down that rooms lights 25%. It knows the context from your acoustic location.
" Ok Google, Text Sally and tell her she needs to be home at 5:30" and google will text her, and also calculate when Sally needs to leave to be home at the right time via Maps. " (-- bonus feature… sends a self driving car to pick her up)
" Ok Google, Watch Iron Man 3 and display it on my upstairs TV " using Netflix and Chromecast.
" Ok Google, I am cold" … – Nest Responds by turning up 3 degrees.
" Ok Google, please vacuum my home" – robot vacuum cleaner.
" Ok Google, What… is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow" – Google responds with the correct answer once you clarify the species.
" Ok Google, Tea, Earl Grey, Hot " – turns on my tea maker.
Look at some of the technology and people they have bought:
Gestures Recognition
Neural Networks,
Natural Language Processing
Robots…
Robotic Arms
Robotic Wheels.
Home Automation.
Regardless if this is real or not. One thing for sure, they did not pay 3B for a nice looking thermostat and smoke detector or even their people.
[quote=“niharmehta, post:16, topic:178844”]Look at some of the technology and people they have bought:
Gestures Recognition
Neural Networks,
Natural Language Processing
Robots…
Robotic Arms
Robotic Wheels.
.[/quote]
…and Skynet is born.
I am still on the fence if this is good or not. I keep leaning back and forth.
IRT displaying ads on my nest… go for it, I have never looked at it since I installed it. I do everything from the Android App or Web interface.
Skynet is plan B.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
Facebook offered 3 billion for SnapChat, and paid 1 billion for Instagram; two services of low complexity that FB can throw together on their own infrastructure for a couple of weeks worth of overtime and pizza.
However, the people that come with such an acquisition are important, especially in the case of Nest which employs a number of highly regarded specialists and visionaries. Secondly, the company has an established brand name and a popular product. But perhaps most importantly, Nest is founded by people who know the importance of patents, and comes with an extensive portfolio as well as a licensing agreement with one of the most notorious patent trolls. For a company with lots of cash and the intention of making a splash in the HA market, this purchase makes all kinds of sense.