I understand that privacy is pretty much non-existent in the modern world, but the fact that Google the ultimate data collector bought a company that makes devices that are always on in the home makes me concerned. Am I overreacting? Would you buy always on Google devices? Even with Android, you can turn your phone off, but you aren't going to turn off tstats, light switches and other devices....
Google will pay $3.2 billion to buy Nest Labs, which develops high-tech versions of devices like thermostats and smoke detectors, in its most expensive acquisition ever.
The search engine operator was an early investor in Nest Labs. It says the company's Nest Learning Thermostat has been a "consistent best-seller."
The thermostat, which retails for $249, is designed to learn how inhabitants like their homes to be heated and cooled. Once it learns the consumers' preferences, it automatically adjusts the temperature on its own.
The Nest Protect alarm is intended to be less annoying than traditional alarms: when it detects rising smoke or carbon monoxide levels, it lights up yellow and speaks with human voice, giving consumers an option to turn the device off if there is no emergency. They can stop the alert by waving an arm. The Nest Protect costs $129 while an older smoke and carbon monoxide detector could cost $50 to $80.
Analyst Shyam Patil of Wedbush Securities said Google is positioning itself to offer products that work on the "Internet of Things" - specifically a "connected home" full of intelligent wireless devices that collect data and could be controlled with a smartphone. Last year Google introduced Chromecast, a device that lets users connect their TVs and mobile devices. http://news.msn.com/science-technology/google-says-it-will-buy-nest-labs-for-dollar32b?ocid=ansnews11