The story
Nest Labs was founded in 2010 by former Apple engineers Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers. The initial idea for the company came to Tony Fadell as he struggled to find an adequate thermostat for his vacation home, sparking a desire to create a superior product.
Their first offering, the Nest Learning Thermostat, was introduced in 2011. This innovative device was programmable, self-learning, sensor-driven, and Wi-Fi-enabled, pioneering features that would become hallmarks of Nest's product line. Its breakthrough was in its ability to learn user preferences and optimize home heating and cooling, aiming to conserve energy. This intelligent approach quickly drew attention, leading to rapid company growth and, by early 2014, its acquisition by Google.
Challenges along the way
Nest faced significant challenges, including multiple lawsuits alleging patent infringement from companies like Honeywell and Allure Energy. Post-acquisition by Google, the company grappled with internal leadership issues, notably the controversial decision to remotely 'brick' the expensive Revolv smart hubs, which alienated customers and caused an exodus of employees, leading to negative press and a perception of a 'disaster' acquisition. A software update also caused some thermostats to stop working, and a hidden microphone in the Nest Guard privacy incident further tarnished its reputation.
Major milestones
- 2010Nest Labs founded by Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers.
- 2011Introduced the Nest Learning Thermostat, the company's first product.
- 2013Launched the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
- 2014Acquired by Google for $3.2 billion and later acquired Dropcam for $555 million.
- 2014United States PatentFig. 21Preconditioning controls and methods for an environmental control systemUS 8,630,742Read filing ↗
- 2015Introduced Nest Cam security cameras, replacing the Dropcam brand.
- 2018Merged into Google's hardware division; Nest brand integrated across Google's home products.
- 2019Google Nest became the blanket branding for all Google home products, discontinuing 'Works with Nest'.
- 2020Discontinued Nest Secure home security system.
Prototypes & people
Currently stocked
