Nest + Google Now = Google’s Now Predicting How Your Home Should Run

Google announced that you can now control your Nest thermostat directing in Google search by voice command on your Android phone or by letting Google Now interface with Nest.

Almost a year ago, Google acquired Nest and now they are integrating Nest into Google Now. Specifically, you can go to workswithnest.google.com and opt in to enable Google Now to send Nest data about when you leave your work to head home or to allow Google Now to let you control your temperature via voice search.

The first option is to enable Google Now to send a command to your Nest thermostat(s) when you leave work, so it knows to begin heating or cooling your home based on your estimated arrival time. Google explains:

Google works with Nest to automatically deliver the right temperature at the right time. All you need is a Nest Thermostat and the Google app on Android or iOS. When you’re on your way home, Google will work with Nest to pre heat or cool your home to your preferred temperature. You’ll also get a Now card to tell you what is happening.

The second option is to say, “OK Google, set Nest to 73 degrees.” Yes, voice search triggering your thermostat(s). Google explains:

Ask Google to set the temperature through your browser, phone or tablet. On your mobile device, open the Google app and either tap the mic or say “Ok Google” to get started. Then say, “turn the temperature to 70 degrees”. In Chrome, either tap the mic or type directly in the search box to set the temperature.

In each case, you need to opt in – but to me, this is the future of how Google will work. We had Google search, where you implicitly keyed into Google what you wanted. Then you had AdSense, that showed search ads based on your browsing behavior. Then Google Now added predictive search, that showed you searches before you needed them based on your behavior. Now we are seeing Google do real task completion based on your behavior.

(Photo by Patrick Haney via Creative Commons.)