Apple has removed Google’s Nest smart thermostat from both its online store and physical retail locations following the launch of some of the first HomeKit devices. As reported by Mashable, Google’s smart thermostat is not available from Apple and searching for the product on Apple’s online store now reveals HomeKit-compatible smart devices instead.
Specifically, Apple is marketing the Ecobee 3 smart thermostat instead of Nest’s offering. The Ecobee 3 runs $249 and officially went on sale in Apple Stores earlier this month following Apple official documenting HomeKit last month. The Ecobee is, of course, compatible with HomeKit and can be controlled via Siri.
This isn’t the first time Apple has pulled competitor products from its retail location and online store. Following the announcement of Apple Watch, Apple stopped selling the Fitbit fitness tracking lineup of devices. Not only was Fitbit a competitor to Apple, but it also refused to support Apple’s HealthKit platform. Apple also removed the Jawbone and Nike fitness bands from its retail stores prior to the launch of Apple Watch, although the former of the two returned after missing for three months.
Apple’s motive for removing the Nest thermostat from its lineup of accessories is unclear at this point. Nest was co-founded by former Apple engineers Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers. Perhaps the device will return at a later point like Jawbone’s offerings did, but with Apple also streamlining the accessories it offers, that seems unlikely.
