Latest news with #NestLearningThermostat
Engadget
16-05-2025
- Business
- Engadget
Google's latest Nest Learning Thermostat is $50 off ahead of Memorial Day
Summer is right around the corner, and while it is the perfect season for being outside in the sunshine, there's nothing quite like returning home to a perfectly climate controlled space to cool off. The fourth generation Nest Learning Thermostat from Google can help you beat the heat with even more efficient air conditioning, and it's on sale right now ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. You can snag this smart home gadget for $50 off with the code ENGAD50 at Wellbots. That means you'll pay just $230 for this tool to control the temperature in your house, because the deal also includes free shipping. $50 off and free shipping with the code ENGAD50. $230 at Wellbots Google did an update to its Nest thermostat last August that increased the LCD display size of the gadget by about 60 percent. You can also customize the display with this version so that it will blend in with your own home decor, and the chassis is available in black, silver or gold options. As with so many Google products these days, the Nest uses AI to help take more accurate readings and make predictions to increase your energy savings. It can automatically adjust to your individual habits to create a temperature schedule if you don't want to program it all manually. This version of the gadget is a particularly good option if your home has issues with cold spots, because the Nest Learning Thermostat comes with a wireless temperature sensor that you can place in that hard-to-heat area. If you need more, you can separately buy additional sensors for monitoring those hot or cold pockets of your house. Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice .
Scottish Sun
04-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Doomed gadgets to STOP working properly in 2025 closures – phones, laptops & even home thermostats to go wrong in weeks
DEAD WRONG Doomed gadgets to STOP working properly in 2025 closures – phones, laptops & even home thermostats to go wrong in weeks JUST because you paid loads of cash for your gadgets doesn't mean they'll last forever. Even posh products from top brands get killed off eventually – and plenty of devices and apps are due to stop working properly in 2025. Advertisement 6 Some Nest Learning Thermostat models are losing support – and that means they won't work with the app anymore Credit: Google 6 Google Stadia fans are running out of time to stop their controllers from becoming useless bricks Credit: Google Here are some of the biggest gadgets going dark (totally or partially) in your home this year. Nest Thermostats Nest Thermostats are "smart" gadgets that let you control your heating at home – only they're about to become much less smart. Google, which owns Nest, is ending support for three models: Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 1 (2011) Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 2 (2012) Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 2 European (2014) These models won't get updates, and will no longer work with the Nest or Google Home apps. Advertisement That means you won't be able to control them remotely via an app or Google Assistant. They'll just become boring old physical thermostats. It all goes dark on October 25 this year. Google Stadia controller Back in 2019, Google launched a service called Stadia that let you play video games by streaming them over the internet – removing the need for a console. The service was ultimately doomed and killed off in January 2023, and Google released an online tool that would convert your Stadia game controller into a regular Bluetooth joypad. Advertisement Now that online tool is due to be killed off on December 31, 2025. Early Skype ads reveal the 'magic' of app as Microsoft vows to shut it down forever That means if you don't update your controller to become a generic joypad by then, it's effectively just an expensive brick. Sorry. Computers (Windows 10) Microsoft's latest software for your computer is Windows 11. It launched in 2021 and is now widely used. But millions of PCs will still be running Windows 10. Bad news: it's going the way of the dodo. Advertisement On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will end software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for Windows 10. 6 It's all over for Windows 10 – and that's bad news for anyone still using it Credit: Microsoft That means not only do you lose the ability to access new features or tech help, it'll also become increasingly dangerous to use. If Microsoft won't patch bugs, hackers can openly exploit them – and target you. Advertisement So if you're using a laptop or computer running Windows 10, it's better to upgrade ahead of the deadline. Your private files and bank account aren't worth the risk. Smartphones (LG) It wasn't so long ago that South Korean tech giant LG was a titan of the phone industry. But in 2021, LG announced that it was putting a stopper on its smartphone efforts. Now LG is getting ready to finally shut off its update servers on June 30, 2025. Advertisement Once that's done, you'll no longer be able to download and install any Android updates. That doesn't just mean you'll miss out on features, but important security updates too. 6 A number of popular LG smartphones will be affected – so don't wait to act Credit: Getty And those un-fixed security loopholes can then be used by crooks to target you – and make you a victim. Advertisement "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude towards our customers who have loved and supported LG Electronics mobile products," LG said. "After the termination date, you will no longer be able to use the software upgrade services. "If you wish to use the services, we strongly recommend upgrading your software before June 30, 2025. "Furthermore, as we will no longer provide application updates, you will not be able to download default applications deleted upon initialisation." Advertisement Unless you're deeply attached to it, you're better off just buying a new phone that can still receive updates. Skype app Legendary chat app Skype is also set to be sunsetted – and imminently. In fact, Microsoft plans to kill it on May 5, 2025, ending a nearly-22-year-long run. 6 Skype's legendary text, audio and video chatting app is about to log off for the last time Advertisement The app will stop working, but your Skype account won't be closed down immediately. Instead you'll be able to sign into Microsoft Teams using your Skype account. Or you can save your old contacts and chats by exporting them from Skype. Back in 2010, around 660 million people were using Skype each month – but that fell to 100 million by March 2020. Advertisement SKYPE – WHERE DID IT GET ITS NAME? Have you ever wondered what Skype actually means? Skype is now a household name, but most people never question how the app got its name. It turns out that Skype is a shortening of the term "Sky peer-to-peer". That's because Skype was an early pioneer of peer-to-peer calling, which meant that users would correct directly to each other – rather than via a server. This was then shortened to the name Skyper. Sadly some of the domain names for Skyper had already been snapped up. So the app's creators decided to ditch the final "r" in the name – leaving us with Skype. Picture Credit: Microsoft / Skype Microsoft stopped posting on its Skype blog in May 2024, and the death of the app was announced back in February. It faced tough competition from the likes of Zoom, Google Meet, Apple's FaceTime, and Meta's Facebook Messenger. iPhone (vintage) Apple added another iPhone to its "vintage" list this year. Once at least five years has passed since a gadget was last sold, Apple may declare the device "vintage". Advertisement 6 The iPhone 6S was one of 2015's hottest gadgets Credit: Apple Then after another two years, it'll can be demoted to "obsolete". And Apple has now placed the iPhone 6S – released back in 2015 – to the vintage list. Once a gadget is vintage, Apple can't guarantee repairs anymore. That's simply because parts are more limited. Advertisement So even if you take it to an official Apple Store, they may not be able to help. APPLE'S OBSOLETE AND VINTAGE IPHONES Here are the full lists, accurate as of May 2025... Vintage iPhones iPhone 4 (8 GB) iPhone 5 iPhone 6s (16 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB) iPhone 6s Plus iPhone SE iPhone 8 Red iPhone 8 Plus Red iPhone X iPhone XS Max Obsolete iPhones iPhone iPhone 3G (China mainland) 8 GB iPhone 3G 8 GB, 16 GB iPhone 3GS (China mainland) 16 GB, 32 GB iPhone 3GS (8 GB) iPhone 3GS 16 GB, 32 GB iPhone 4 CDMA iPhone 4 CDMA (8 GB) iPhone 4 16 GB, 32 GB iPhone 4 GSM (8 GB), Black iPhone 4s iPhone 4s (8 GB) iPhone 5c iPhone 5s iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus iPhone 6s (32 GB) iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) Picture Credit: Apple Obsolete is even worse, because then a gadget loses nearly all hardware support. But if you've got an iPhone 6S, it's probably worth upgrading as soon as possible anyway. The iPhone 6S can only receive updates up to iOS 15, but Apple has moved on to iOS 18 (and likely iOS 19 very soon). Advertisement That means it's not only missing out on new features but years of security updates too. For a device that carries some of your most personal info, you shouldn't risk using it without the protection of regular updates. So upgrade to something a little newer that can get the latest updates to stay safe.
The Irish Sun
04-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Doomed gadgets to STOP working properly in 2025 closures – phones, laptops & even home thermostats to go wrong in weeks
JUST because you paid loads of cash for your gadgets doesn't mean they'll last forever. Even posh products from top brands get killed off eventually – and plenty of devices and apps are due to stop working properly in 2025. Advertisement 6 Some Nest Learning Thermostat models are losing support – and that means they won't work with the app anymore Credit: Google 6 Google Stadia fans are running out of time to stop their controllers from becoming useless bricks Credit: Google Here are some of the biggest gadgets going dark (totally or partially) in your home this year. Nest Thermostats Nest Thermostats are "smart" gadgets that let you control your heating at home – only they're Google, which owns Nest, is ending support for three models: Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 1 (2011) Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 2 (2012) Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 2 European (2014) Read more on Google These models won't get updates, and will no longer work with the Nest or Google Home apps. Advertisement That means you won't be able to control them remotely via an app or Google Assistant. They'll just become boring old physical thermostats. It all goes dark on October 25 this year. Google Stadia controller Back in 2019, Google launched a service called Stadia that let you play video games by streaming them over the internet – removing the need for a console. Most read in Phones & Gadgets The service was ultimately doomed and Advertisement Now that online tool is Early Skype ads reveal the 'magic' of app as Microsoft vows to shut it down forever That means if you don't update your controller to become a generic joypad by then, it's effectively just an expensive brick. Sorry. Computers (Windows 10) Microsoft's latest software for your computer is Windows 11. It launched in 2021 and is now widely used. But millions of PCs will still be running Windows 10. Bad news: it's going the way of the dodo. Advertisement On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will end software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for Windows 10. 6 It's all over for Windows 10 – and that's bad news for anyone still using it Credit: Microsoft That means not only do you lose the ability to access new features or tech help, it'll also become increasingly dangerous to use. If Microsoft won't patch bugs, hackers can openly exploit them – and target you. Advertisement So if you're using a laptop or computer running Windows 10, it's better to upgrade ahead of the deadline . Your private files and bank account aren't worth the risk. Smartphones (LG) It wasn't so long ago that South Korean tech giant LG was a titan of the phone industry. But in 2021, LG announced that it was putting a stopper on its smartphone efforts. Now LG is getting ready to finally Advertisement Once that's done, you'll no longer be able to download and install any Android updates. That doesn't just mean you'll miss out on features , but important security updates too. 6 A number of popular LG smartphones will be affected – so don't wait to act Credit: Getty And those un-fixed security loopholes can then be used by crooks to target you – and make you a victim. Advertisement "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude towards our customers who have loved and supported LG Electronics mobile products," LG said. "After the termination date, you will no longer be able to use the software upgrade services. "If you wish to use the services, we strongly recommend upgrading your software before June 30, 2025. "Furthermore, as we will no longer provide application updates, you will not be able to download default applications deleted upon initialisation." Advertisement Unless you're deeply attached to it, you're better off just buying a new phone that can still receive updates. Skype app Legendary chat app Skype is also set to be sunsetted – and imminently. In fact, Microsoft plans to kill it on May 5, 2025, ending a nearly-22-year-long run. 6 Skype's legendary text, audio and video chatting app is about to log off for the last time Advertisement The app will stop working, but your Skype account won't be closed down immediately. Instead you'll be able to sign into Microsoft Teams using your Skype account. Or you can save your old contacts and chats by exporting them from Skype. Back in 2010, around 660 million people were using Skype each month – but that fell to 100 million by March 2020. Advertisement SKYPE – WHERE DID IT GET ITS NAME? Have you ever wondered what Skype actually means? Skype is now a household name, but most people never question how the app got its name. It turns out that Skype is a shortening of the term "Sky peer-to-peer". That's because Skype was an early pioneer of peer-to-peer calling, which meant that users would correct directly to each other – rather than via a server. This was then shortened to the name Skyper. Sadly some of the domain names for Skyper had already been snapped up. So the app's creators decided to ditch the final "r" in the name – leaving us with Skype. Picture Credit: Microsoft / Skype Microsoft stopped posting on its Skype blog in May 2024, and the death of the app was announced back in February. It faced tough competition from the likes of Zoom, Google Meet, Apple's FaceTime, and Meta's Facebook Messenger. iPhone (vintage) Apple Once at least five years has passed since a gadget was last sold, Apple may declare the device "vintage". Advertisement 6 The iPhone 6S was one of 2015's hottest gadgets Credit: Apple Then after another two years, it'll can be demoted to "obsolete". And Apple has now placed the Once a gadget is vintage, Apple can't guarantee repairs anymore. That's simply because parts are more limited. Advertisement So even if you take it to an official Apple Store, they may not be able to help. APPLE'S OBSOLETE AND VINTAGE IPHONES Here are the full lists, accurate as of May 2025... Vintage iPhones iPhone 4 (8 GB) iPhone 5 iPhone 6s (16 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB) iPhone 6s Plus iPhone SE iPhone 8 Red iPhone 8 Plus Red iPhone X iPhone XS Max Obsolete iPhones iPhone iPhone 3G (China mainland) 8 GB iPhone 3G 8 GB, 16 GB iPhone 3GS (China mainland) 16 GB, 32 GB iPhone 3GS (8 GB) iPhone 3GS 16 GB, 32 GB iPhone 4 CDMA iPhone 4 CDMA (8 GB) iPhone 4 16 GB, 32 GB iPhone 4 GSM (8 GB), Black iPhone 4s iPhone 4s (8 GB) iPhone 5c iPhone 5s iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus iPhone 6s (32 GB) iPhone 6s Plus (32GB) Picture Credit: Apple Obsolete is even worse, because then a gadget loses nearly all hardware support. But if you've got an iPhone 6S, it's probably worth upgrading as soon as possible anyway. The iPhone 6S can only receive updates up to iOS 15, but Apple has moved on to iOS 18 (and Advertisement That means it's not only missing out on new features but years of security updates too. For a device that carries some of your most personal info, you shouldn't risk using it without the protection of regular updates. So upgrade to something a little newer that can get the latest updates to stay safe.
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Major money-saver feature is CLOSING on popular home heating gadgets as users slam Google for ‘absolute let down' change
Find out how to check if your device is affected below IN HOT WATER Major money-saver feature is CLOSING on popular home heating gadgets as users slam Google for 'absolute let down' change Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOMEOWNERS are raging with Google after the company announced that a major money-saving feature will close down later this year. Google owns the hugely popular Nest brand, which makes products including smart thermostats and alarm systems. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen and 2nd gen affected Credit: Google 2 Google also announced that it will no longer launch new Nest thermostats in the UK Credit: Getty The main appeal for such devices is that you can use them remotely with a smartphone. This can be a real money-saver for scheduling heating and turning it off remotely if you forget once you've left the house. But very soon the feature will be closed down entirely for several Nest thermostat models. The tech giant says it will be "transitioning away" from supporting three of its oldest devices. "As we look at what it takes to support your energy needs going forward, it has become increasingly challenging to continue to update these products given the early hardware," the firm said. "You will no longer be able to control them remotely from your phone or with Google Assistant, but can still adjust the temperature and modify schedules directly on the thermostat." The three models affected are: Nest Learning Thermostat (1st generation, released in 2011) Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd generation, released in 2012) Nest Learning Thermostat (2nd generation, Europe version, released in 2014) Support is due to be withdrawn on October 25. Other models will continue to work as normal. How to tell if your Nest Thermostat is affected The Nest thermostats affected by the move all have smaller 1.8-inch screens compared to more recent models. "You can look at the display, the base, or in the Nest or Home app to find out which Nest thermostat you own," Google says. "What an absolute let down," one user wrote on Reddit in reaction to the news. "Google being Google. Never again will I buy anything from them again." Another wrote: "This makes me so mad. "Why is the world would I ever buy hardware from them again knowing they could turn around and do the same thing again?" Alongside the development, Google also announced that it will no longer launch new Nest thermostats in the UK going forward. "Heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes," the company explained. "The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen, 2015) and Nest Thermostat E (2018) will continue to be sold in Europe while current supplies last. "These models will continue to receive security updates and you can control them via the Nest and Home apps."
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major money-saver feature is CLOSING on popular home heating gadgets as users slam Google for ‘absolute let down' change
HOMEOWNERS are raging with Google after the company announced that a major money-saving feature will close down later this year. Google owns the hugely popular Nest brand, which makes products including smart thermostats and alarm systems. 2 The main appeal for such devices is that you can use them remotely with a smartphone. This can be a real money-saver for scheduling heating and turning it off remotely if you forget once you've left the house. But very soon the feature will be closed down entirely for several Nest thermostat models. The tech giant says it will be "transitioning away" from supporting three of its oldest devices. "As we look at what it takes to support your energy needs going forward, it has become increasingly challenging to continue to update these products given the early hardware," the firm said. "You will no longer be able to control them remotely from your phone or with Google Assistant, but can still adjust the temperature and modify schedules directly on the thermostat." The three models affected are: Support is due to be withdrawn on October 25. Other models will continue to work as normal. "What an absolute let down," one user wrote on Reddit in reaction to the news. "Google being Google. Never again will I buy anything from them again." Another wrote: "This makes me so mad. "Why is the world would I ever buy hardware from them again knowing they could turn around and do the same thing again?" Alongside the development, Google also announced that it will no longer launch new Nest thermostats in the UK going forward. "Heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes," the company explained. "The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen, 2015) and Nest Thermostat E (2018) will continue to be sold in Europe while current supplies last. "These models will continue to receive security updates and you can control them via the Nest and Home apps." 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
