Nest Launches Developer Program

The Jetsons took place in the year 2062, exactly 100 years in the future at the time of the show’s debut. The plot revolved around a futuristic utopia called “Orbit City” where life was extremely leisurely thanks to modern technology. All of life’s labor-intensive tasks were assisted by robots, computers, and other gadgets that not only made living more convenient, it also seemed to make it more fun. If you’ve ever watched the cartoon, you’ve probably wondered if you’d ever be able to live like the Jetson family. Well, thanks to one company, we are now one step closer.

Nest Labs, the home automation company that was acquired by Google earlier this year for $3.2 billion, announced yesterday their Nest Developer Program. Dubbed “Works with Nest”, the program’s goal is simple: allow companies to interact with Nest devices to securely make the things we use every day even simpler. Things like lights, appliances, fitness bands, and even cars will soon be personalized to not only make your home more comfortable, but to save energy as well.

“When we combine what we know about working inside of people’s homes with what other products can do, we’re able to build meaningful connections.”

–Nest Labs

Currently, people use their Nest devices as a thermostat or a smoke/carbon monoxide detector that learns your behavioral patterns over time. While it’s nice to have a device control your home’s temperature automatically or alert you when there’s danger, it’s not exactly the futuristic life most of us envisioned for the year 2014. The Nest Developer Program will change all of that by working with companies like LIFX, Mercedes-Benz, Whirlpool, and Jawbone among others, to enhance the capabilities of Nest devices.

Some integrations are already up and running, including:

• LIFX: LIFX light bulbs can work with your Nest Protect to pulse red in an emergency, which can help grab your attention and alert those who are hearing impaired. Going on vacation? Once your Nest Thermostat goes into Away mode, LIFX can make it look as if someone is home by automatically turning on and off your lights throughout the house.
• Mercedes-Benz: As you drive home, your car can let Nest know what time you’ll arrive. That way your thermostat can start heating or cooling at exactly the right moment, and your home is the perfect temperature as soon as you walk in the door.
• Whirlpool: If you’re signed up for Rush Hour Rewards with a participating energy provider, Nest can let Whirlpool know when an energy rush hour is about to happen, and your washer or dryer will delay the start of the cycle until the rush hour is over. You end up earning extra rush hour rewards and using less energy when electricity is in high demand.
• Jawbone: Your Nest Learning Thermostat knows what temperature you like your home to be in the morning and your UP24 band can tell when you wake up. Together, they can make sure your thermostat starts heating or cooling before you even get out of bed.

While the functionality of the Works with Nest program is mostly limited to controlling the temperature and alerting you of danger, the company foresees a future where their devices will anticipate people’s needs and make our lives easier. And even though Nest isn’t the first or only smart home company out there, they are the only ones that are actively encouraging developers to help make the home more aware. As more developers signup for the program and come up with new ways to integrate other devices with Nest, there will come a time when our home becomes fully automated like The Jetsons

Imagine driving home and finding your dinner already prepared for you, having the dishwasher automatically clean the dishes when it’s full, or your dog fed without you having to be there. These are all situations that are not only possible, but inevitable. Just like many people didn’t believe we’d have remote controls for televisions, laptop computers in our home office, or microwaves in our kitchen; it happened anyway because companies like Nest believe the possibilities of technology are endless.

“For years, people have been talking about home automation. There are universal remotes, digital wall panels, and apps that let you control the devices in your home. But ‘Works with Nest’ is more than just an on/off switch. It’s about making your house a more thoughtful and conscious home.”

–Nest Labs

Are you looking forward to a future where your home makes your life easier like The Jetsons? Or will you miss doing chores like taking out the trash, washing dishes, and folding laundry? Let us know in the comments below.