By way of the FCC, we learn something that looks like a third generation Nest Theromostat is en route… with 5GHz joining the party. Now I can’t say for certain the unnamed Nest device is another learning thermostat. But the round profile, with label on back, identified as model ZQAT30 (versus the 2nd gen’s ZQAT20) sure seems suggestive.
As the test firm received their sample back in April, but there was no mention of a thermostat refresh at Nest’s June press event, I’ll go ahead and assume some production or engineering kinks have delayed an announcement. As to additional features, beyond new wireless capabilities, no remote sensors have popped (unless that’s what this is)… which has become something of a shortcoming compared to the highly regarded (and now HomeKit-compatible) ecobee t-stat.
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I would hope that this still remains 2.4GHz as well, but I don't know if I understand why they would add 5GHz unless it just happens to be supported by the chipset they are using -- its not like your thermostat needs lots of bandwidth -- its not streaming video. I'm pretty sure a Nest would do fine with a 802.11B connection at <10mb/s. I would almost thing 5GHz would be a disadvantage because it doesn't have the same range as 2.4 -- I can easily get 2.4GHz connections throughout my house while 5GHz is much weaker as you get farther away from the router.
Yes, look at the top right image - 2.4GHz is represented as well. As to why, well it may depend upon what the product really is. Your chipset thought is reasonable, should it be another thermostat. But what if it's also a Weave Brillo hub in addition to a thermostat?
As to me, I have a 2nd gen Nest installed downstairs, but haven't yet replaced the typical Honeywell programmable model upstairs. ecobee seems more well rounded, with those remote sensors and HomeKit, but messing with the wiring inside the AC machine makes us uncomfortable. Hm. Wonder if this might be my upstairs answer.
Are Nest thermostats even programmable the way standard thermostats are? I honestly don't get this device or how it saves people a significant amount of money. I have a Honeywell thermostat that has 4 programmable options/times per day and can be adjusted for each day of the week.
I don't need or want my thermostat guessing if I'm home. We like it cold when we're sleeping so the AC stays on at night in the summer and the heat is off at night in the winter. My wife works at night sometimes so then the AC stays on at a lower temperature than normal during the day when she's sleeping. None of this seems easily doable with the Nest.