This past week, Google released the new 4th-Gen Nest Learning Thermostat. This smart thermostat costs $280 with an all-glass display that is slim in design with muted bezels and a large screen, modern and premium in look.
Moreover, the 4th-Gen Nest Learning Thermostat is focused on energy efficiency. It does support up to six Google Nest Temperature Sensors. Information of interest is displayed through its farsight display as distance changes. Moreover, it gives subtle warnings regarding the HVAC systems, which prevents costly repairs.
In addition to that new thermostat, Google is redesigning its controls in the Google Home app. More specifically, this update is found on the Google Home Public Preview version 3.20.1.8. However, the rollout is gradual, and not all users have received it yet.
The refreshed interface moves the Nest app and Energy Dashboard icons to someplace below the primary controls, while keeping the setting cog and overflow menu along the top. It is expected that this reshuffle will increase efficiency without hurting accessibility.
Probably most visible, the ability to change temperature is now directly in the Favorites menu, before, that required opening the full control panel. Now, the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons are available for quick changes in the Favorites menu.
Details on the rest of the UI changes should come around August 20, when the thermostat goes up for sale.
