So recently Google announced they had purchased Nest Labs for a whopping $3.2 billion. For those of you who don't know, Nest Labs make smart home features, such as smart thermostats which can be controlled from your phone and can be set to turn the heating up or down at a certain time. But many existing Nest customers were unhappy with the announcement. Why? Because they believe that Google now want to use Nest products to find out all about your life. And they're right. That is exactly what Google are doing. There are of course many reasons Google bought Nest, and I will to through them in a moment, but one of the reasons was probably to find out more about you. But when you think about it, that's no bad thing. None of the Nest products have cameras, so it's not too personal. So what are Google actually doing?
Google want to build a perfect picture of your life. They want to know what you do in your daily of weekly routine, they want to know what you like to do, but most importantly, they want to know what you're going to do next. But it's not something to be creeped out by of afraid of. Google want to predict what you're about to do so they can help make it easier. Look at Google Now. Imagine the possibilities if that was linked to Nest. All Google want to do is make a better user experience by presenting you with everything you need when you need it, whether that is via a Google Now card reminding you to turn up the heating so it's warm when you get back from work, or some other useful feature. Google do want you personal data, but only to give you a better experience.
There are of course many other reasons Google bought Nest. And those reasons can be described in a few words; the Internet of Things and Android@Home. Although technically Android@Home is Google's idea of the Internet it Things, so they're basically the same. The Internet of Things is the idea that one entire home can be connected to the internet to bring us cool new features and make our lives a lot easier. Features such as turning your lights on with your phone as you arrive home in the dark so you can see what you're doing, or checking the contents of your fridge or cupboards whilst shopping online. A few years ago, Google announced Android@Home in the hope of making Android the number 1 choice for makers of IoT devices, with Android software linking each device to each other. Unfortunately, the Internet of Things hasn't really taken off, and Nest were the only ones making any kind of progress. It's clear Google acquired Nest in order to revive Android@Home and jump-start the Internet of Things.
So tell us, do you own a Nest product? Are you planning to get one? What do you think of the Google buyout? What plans do you think Google has for Nest in the future? Please tell us in the comments below.