There was a time, nearly 4 years ago, when a $600 cell phone on the AT&T network was an absurd idea. You would want to keep that thought in mind when you look at the new home thermostat from Nest that comes in at a mere $250.
Except this is the brainchild of some of the original Apple team that developed the iPod. In fact the simple user interface of a large scroll wheel and simple screen are very reminiscent to the iPod itself. NEST cites the stat that a mere 6% of programmable thermostats are actually programmed to provide the function they were purchased to do. NEST resolves this issue by making the interface intuitive and having the thermostat “learn” your patterns to program itself.
Given the price range for wireless programmable thermostats are already in the $100+ range and I can personally attest to them being rather difficult to program. If/when I purchase and install, I will write up a quick review.
Noodle On This... 
These guys moved in to an office right next to mine. I really don’t understand the point of this. Sure, it’s pretty but you don’t need a thermostat to learn about your behavior. When it’s hot, people want to be cooled off, and when it’s cold, people usually want to be kept a little warmer. Not sure what’s so difficult about that.
http://thatguyisajerk.wordpress.com/
That’s pretty cool. I’d love to have access to them to ask some of those same questions.
I do agree it’s rather pricey and it’s unproven, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it become quite popular. For my home configuration, I can’t get a decent programmable thermostat for less than $140. For those that have a wireless option, they are almost $200. If this can match the functionality of those devices and be a lot less complicated (Mom friendly) then I think it can warrant the cost.
The biggest question is can it deliver. Since it’s not released yet, we’ll have to wait and see.
Yeah I’m pretty sure this could become quite popular, but it doesn’t really provide much added benefit in my eyes in the way a dyson vacuum does over other vacuums. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.