In short: Google-owned Nest has quietly revealed three new colors for its Nest Learning Thermostat, consisting of “Polished Steel,” “Mirror Black,” and “Brass.” All three new versions are now available to order through the company’s website. Besides the color, it would seem the hardware is identical to the previously released variations. While that does mean that there aren’t any new features to discuss, the new colors should help homeowners blend their home automation-focused thermostat more seamlessly with whatever aesthetic they happen to be aiming for.
Background: Nest’s third-generation Learning Thermostat isn’t necessarily a new device, considering it launched back in 2015. However, it’s still a very intriguing device and considered at the top of its category by many. The gadget acts as a replacement for a more traditional thermostat and can automatically adjust the temperature of a home in order to maintain a comfortable setting when users are at home, and saving energy when they aren’t. It can also be controlled via a smartphone application and scheduled so that the temperature is just right when a homeowner arrives rather than having to wait around for the adjustment to be made or fiddle with the on-wall device itself. Prior to the new announcement, the Nest Learning Thermostat had only been available in three colors including Stainless Steel, Black, and Copper. The new tones appear to be based on the original configurations but bring subtle differences that homeowners will likely appreciate. As the names imply, the Polished Steel and Mirror Black variations add a shinier finish to the standard steel and black editions. Meanwhile, the new Brass hue is a brighter, warmer take on the previous copper tone.
Impact: The news of updated color schemes for Nest’s Learning Thermostat falls right around the announcement of a new blue shade for Google Home Mini and the introduction of Google Home Hub. More importantly, the timing matches up with Google’s decision to expand its AI-driven Google Assistant integration to a wider diversity of smart home and IoT products. The Google Home Hub, in particular, seems pertinent to the newly revealed schemes since that was announced in four different colors and integrates directly with Nest’s offerings.
