Google's Nest Labs on Tuesday upgraded its signature product, the Thermostat, with features such as a bigger, sharper display, and longer-range automatic wakeup.
The third-generation Thermostat has a 480x480 screen rated at 229 pixels per inch. The device has simultaneously slimmed down however, coming in at 1.21 inches thick.
The new wakeup feature is called Farsight, and will show the time or temperature when someone walks in the room -- with the former having the option of a digital or analog-style clock face. Previously, people had to be within three feet of a Thermostat for it to turn on.
Another addition is Furnace Heads-Up, which will notify users about potential problems with their furnace and/or air filter by detecting activation and shutoff patterns. These alerts are pushed to the company's iOS and Android apps, which have been updated to support the new hardware.
Furnace Heads-Up will eventually be available to first- and second-generation Thermostats, but only through an update coming later this year.
The third-generation device is now on sale via the Nest store for $249. In some locations though power companies are offering rebates and rewards, or even giving away the product as a sign-up bonus.