Brave New Thermostat: How the iPod’s Creator Is Making Home Heating Sexy

[M3Bahn]

“You’re going to build a what?”

That’s what Tony Fadell’s wife, Dani, said to him in 2009 when he told her his idea for a new company. Fadell is one of the most sought-after talents in the world of gadgetry—he designed the hardware for the iPod, and headed Apple’s iPod and iPhone division before leaving his VP post to spend time with his wife and two young children, living an idyllic year in Paris.

But even before he moved back to the U.S. he was mulling over his next step. Many assumed that the 42-year old technologist would continue his brilliant career in consumer electronics. He might even become a contender to run an existing multi-billion dollar business—in electronics, in mobile, maybe even Apple.

Instead, he told Dani, he was going to build a thermostat.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/...ermostat/all/1

[Elliott@DetailAddict]

Hey if it ultimately saves me some hard earned $$$ I'm all for it and will probably get one.

[M3Bahn]

Originally Posted by Grant@DetailAddict

Hey if it ultimately saves me some hard earned $$$ I'm all for it and will probably get one.

I'm looking for something that works over the internet and intefaces with electronic door locks etc.

I was thinking of going with the Mi casa verde system.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/m...on-simplified/

[grieverr]

That is super cool! I'll be an early adopter!

[carve]

It looks nice. Flashy UI. You can already get intelligent, adaptive thermostats for like $70 though, rather than $250. I'd rather just program it and forget about it than have to remember to turn it up and down for several days so it learns. If you forget to turn it down before you leave work, it won't learn to lower the temps during the day.

The occupancy detector is nice...if you happen to be in the same room as the thermostat. My house only has one t-stat, and it's in a hallway.

WiFi would be nice if it was a vacation house.