Nest, the company behind the iPhone-connected Nest Learning Thermostat, is working on developing a smoke detector, reports former Wall Street Journal journalist Jessica Lessin. While information is scarce on the smoke detector, it will presumably be controlled via an iPhone app similar to the Nest thermostat. According to AllThingsD, the product will be called "Protect."

nest_thermostat_iphone_app

The device will be the technology company's latest trojan horse into your home, which it wants to make as easy to control as a computer or smartphone. Think of it as the next node in the home network Nest is building device by device with the original thermostat as the hub.

According to Lessin, the smoke detector will have a lot of "neat" features that go beyond traditional smoke detecting, including a possible subscription monitoring service to remotely alert users if smoke or fire is detected (AllThingsD disagrees, saying the product will not include a subscription service). It may also interact with the Nest thermostat and detect carbon monoxide.

One person said the device could communicate with the Nest thermostat, giving it a longer battery life by eliminating the need for it to have its own battery-draining wi-fi chip. We also hear that Nest has discussed features like the ability to silence the alarm by waving a hand in front of it and the ability to detect carbon monoxide.

iPhone-connected home devices have been growing in popularity in recent months. In addition to the Nest thermostat, there are a range of other iPhone-controlled products available, including the Philips Hue lighting system and a number of automatic locking systems like the Lockitron and the August Smart Lock.

Nest's current product, the Nest Learning Thermostat, can be purchased from the Apple Store and other retailers for $249. Though there's no prospective release date on the smoke detector, Lessin’s sources suggest that it could be released as early as this year.

Top Rated Comments

clayj Avatar
154 months ago
What they should develop FIRST is a remote temperature sensor for the Nest -- something you could plug in in, say, your bedroom and then tell the Nest, "I want the temperature THERE to be [x]." My Nest is in my front hallway and while the temperature THERE gets to what I've set it to be, my bedroom is never quite at the same temperature.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gokart186 Avatar
154 months ago
If I can set it to "i'm cooking a pizza and not burning the house down" mode I'm in!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shrink Avatar
154 months ago
Just what the world needs...a $250 smoke detector.

Just because something can be done, doesn't necessarily mean it should be done...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MVallee Avatar
154 months ago
I love my Nest thermostat and would be interested to see how they could make a smoke detector better.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mac'nCheese Avatar
154 months ago
Just what the world needs...a $250 smoke detector.

Just because something can be done, doesn't necessarily mean it should be done...
Figure the target demo is the same people who buy those 200 buck light bulbs.


Edit: sorry, the starter pack is $200. Each bulb only costs $60.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Battlefield Fan Avatar
154 months ago
I could justify Nest's price tag because it'll pay for itself over time but I can't find myself paying a premium for a smoke detector.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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