GoogleAnnounceSoftware updates will be discontinued for the first-generation Nest Learning thermostat, released in 2011, and for the second-generation product launched a year later. The decision also affects the European version of the Nest Learning thermostat, launched in 2014. "You will no longer be able to control them remotely from your phone or Google Assistant, but you will still be able to adjust the temperature and modify schedule settings directly on the thermostat," the company wrote in a blog post on Friday.
The deadline for software updates and general support for Google Home and Nest apps is October 25.
Google has previously stated that it has no plans to launch more Nest thermostats in Europe. "Heating systems in Europe are very unique, with varying hardware and software requirements, making it challenging to create thermostats for different homes," the company said. "The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation, 2015) and Nest Thermostat E (2018) will continue to be available in Europe while supplies last."
Losing the ability to control these smart thermostats from your phone will undoubtedly be disappointing to those who have been using Nest hardware in their homes for years. Google isn't breaking its core functionality, but as software support dwindles, a lot of the appeal and convenience will be lost. While earlier Nest Learning thermostats can at least be used locally without Wi-Fi, the newer model cannot. But the good news for those who have recently purchased a Nest thermostat is that Google says that for the first time later this year, users will be able to "create and adjust plans" through the Google Home app.
As more and more companies add screens to smart home devices, this obsolescence is truly concerning. Is 14 years a reasonable lifespan for these devices before their intelligence slowly dies out? There is currently no indication that Google plans to open source this hardware.
In an apparent attempt to quell customer anger, Google is offering a $130 discount on the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat in the U.S., a $160 discount on the same device in Canada, and a 50% discount on the Tado Smart Thermostat X in Europe, as the Nest line is being discontinued.
When the Nest thermostat was first released, the company was still an independent brand led by former Apple executive Tony Fadell. Google acquired Nest in 2014 for $3.2 billion.