In June, Apple released the list of the first products that would be compatible with HomeKit, the company’s database, which lets developers make software that configures with devices for home automation, allowing users to control them through their iPhone. The list included a smart thermostat, but maybe not the one you’re thinking of.
Nest, which has been sold by Apple since 2012, even though its acquisition by Google a few years ago, was not listed. Now the devices are not being sold by Apple at all.
The company has stopped selling the connect devices, which include its thermostat, smoke detector and security camera, it was confirmed to Mashable on Thursday.
Indeed, when searching for Nest’s thermostat on the Apple store users see this: “Sorry, no results matched your search terms in Apple Products.”
Instead, Apple is now selling the Ecobee 3 smart thermostat, which went on sale earlier this month. Would it surprise you if I told you that that was the device that is configured with HomeKit?
There’s a good reason that Nest is not HomeKit compatible, and it has to do with its parent company: in May Google unveiled its own Internet of Things platform, called Brillo. Given the popularity of the Nest products, it is extremely likely that its devices will be what Mashable calls ” the centerpiece to Google’s smart home system.”
Would Google allow devices so important to its own future plans in the IoT space to run a competitor’s platform? Not likely.
That does not mean that Nest devices, even if they do never connect to HomeKit, are off of Apple’s shelves forever. Nest itself is already saying that it will likely be back.
A Nest spokeswoman told Re/Code that Apple is a “valued partner” and also said that its products “will be available through Apple and other retail channels in the coming weeks.”
Also in Nest’s favor is that Apple does have a history of doing things like this, and then backing down. When the company first released the Apple Watch, it cut other wearables from its stores, including those from FitBit, Jawbone and Nike. Both Jawbone and Nike both have products currently listed on the Apple Store, while FitBit still does not.
Similarly, Bose headphones were removed, after Apple bought Beats and Bose sued the company for patent infringement. As soon as the lawsuit settled, the headphones were put back up.
VatorNews has reached out to both Apple and Nest for confirmation and comment on these developments. We will update this story if we learn more.
(Image source: nest.com)
