Dive Summary:
- Honeywell is reinventing its product line with the introduction of a $249 Wi-Fi thermostat and an online energy savings calculator—a move that will help it compete with startups like Nest, which it has a patent infringement lawsuit against, and Radio Thermostat Company.
- This new model includes technology originally designed for industrial-grade models, and such smart thermostats could eventually control appliances and other devices along with heating and cooling systems as a means of helping consumers control utility bills.
- Whether consumers will ever view thermostats as anything beyond a tool for making a home more comfortable remains to be seen, Honeywell's Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat is the latest in a line of thermostats that manufacturers have put more thought and fashion into.
From the article:
... Honeywell introduced the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat just over a year after suing Nest over patent infringement in February 2011. The lawsuit remains in place, though it’s on hold at Nest’s request. Honeywell is using technology it previously engineered for industrial-grade thermostats for the new model, said Mike Hoppe, senior product marketing manager. The Wi-Fi thermostat lets homeowners key in daily temperature preferences and program their heating and cooling settings remotely by smart phones. ...
