Nest Thermostat gets colour-matched AAA batteries

Google's new budget-friendly thermostat hopes to attract different types of first-time smart home buyers by offering it in four different shades—Fog (mint), Sand (salmon), Charcoal (black), and Snow (White). One extra design touch it added is that the Nest Thermostat's included batteries match the units themselves. It doesn't add to the experience, but it's a nice aesthetic touch. Most variants match their exterior, except for the Charcoal, which gets the similar white AAAs as the Snow model. 

While the Nest Thermostat uses HVAC system wires as its primary power source, it has provision for two AAA 1.5V alkaline batteries. This isn't the first time Google colour-matched its smart home devices. The new Chromecast with Google TV has the same colour-matching batteries, too.

Source: 9to5Google

Nest thermostats can keep track of your HVAC system

Source: Google

The new Nest thermostat isn't the only model that can alert you if something is amiss with your HVAC system. All Nest thermostats are now capable of identifying if something is wrong with your HVAC system. Google rolled out an update in the US and in some parts of Canada that allows the device to monitor your system. 

It started as a side project for Nest software engineers two years ago, and the company started testing it out earlier this year. The team was able to develop the feature because of cloud computing advancements in recent years. During the test, it sent users who sign up for Nest Home Report alerts if the Nest thermostat finds some errors with their heating, ventilation, or AC. 

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Google's new Nest Thermostat is its cheapest yet

The new Nest Thermostat's launch isn't a surprise. We've even heard it supports gesture controls. Now, that rumoured smart thermostat is official, and it's Google's most affordable model yet. In Canada, it retails for $179.99, which is well below the Nest Learning Thermostat's $329 price tag or even below the Thermostat E's $229 price.

It looks similar to the previous models' rounded design, but this Nest Thermostat has a mirrored display and updated controls. Instead of gesture control, it has a "swipe and tap" touch interface on the side instead of a thermostat dial. The integrated Soli chip helps detect motion. Soli allows this smart thermostat to automatically switch between settings since it can detect nearby activity.

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Google tipped to launch a cheaper Nest Thermostat with gesture controls

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If this new report is accurate, Google is supposedly developing a new Nest Thermostat that will come with gesture controls and will be its most affordable version yet. According to Bloomberg, the new Nest Thermostat will retail for US$129, and it'll arrive "in the coming weeks." The lower price tag might make it more enticing, but the differentiator really is the promise of gesture controls.

It will supposedly be similar to the gestures available on the Pixel 4, which used the Soli chip to detect motion at close range. There were previous reports that claimed Google would use the same technology for the new Nest Thermostat. But now, we have a clearer picture of how it might work. The report claims users can "swipe their hand up or down near the device to control the temperature or move their hand toward or away to navigate menus."