Nest hopes to control the smart home with new API for developers

By Malarie Gokey Published June 24, 2014

Just one day after Quirky announced its plans for controlling the smart home, Google-owned Nest Labs released a new smart home API for developers. Developers can now make just about anything — from mobile devices and fitness trackers to cars and appliances — compatible with Nest. The company’s plan is nearly identical to what quirky proposed yesterday, but Nest has a large user base already and the power of Google behind it.

Mercedes-Benz, Jawbone, Whirlpool, LIFX, IFTTT, and Logitech followed Google’s lead and have already released new Nest-compatible features for several devices and products. Now, if you’re driving home in your Mercedes, your car can tell Nest to turn on the AC or the heat, so your humble abode is the perfect temperature upon your arrival.

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In addition to these more frivolous matters, Nest’s connections can also save your life.

Say you’re like most people and you don’t have a Mercedes, though. What then? Well, as long as you have a garage door opener from Chamberlain or a few other companies, you’ll soon be able to turn on the AC simply by opening your garage. This method may not give your home that long to perfect the temperature inside, but it will give you a small head start.

Or, if you have Google Now installed on your smartphone, you can simply adjust your thermostat using the app. This new functionality will be available in the fall. Nest can also pair up with Jawbone to adjust the temperature as soon as you wake up.

However, Nest’s new connections don’t end there. Logitech’s universal remote now works with Nest, too, and can turn on your TV, start a movie, and dim the lights at your request. Nest can slow down your Whirlpool dryer when you’re away, so your clothes don’t wrinkle.

In addition to these more frivolous matters, Nest’s connections can also save your life. Nest can alert your neighbors via text message if a fire breaks out and Nest senses smoke, using its connection to IFTTT. LIFX light bulbs will also be able to detect smoke or carbon monoxide and flash on and off or turn red in the event of an emergency.

Now that Nest has released the API, any device partnership is possible– all the developers have to do is join in on the “Works with Nest” initiative. The API is open to iOS and Android developers. Google will reveal more details about the API at I/O during the “Nest for Developers” session on Thursday, June 26, at 2:00 PM PT.

Former Mobile Editor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

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Lutron just made it easier to control your smart home without touching your phone

Smart home voice control usually means buying yet another speaker or hub. Lutron and Sonos found a simpler fix: use the speaker you probably already own.

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If you’ve lost count of how many remotes and apps you juggle between just to dim a light or skip a song, I have something for you. Lutron just gave its Caseta smart home lineup a new shortcut, letting you control lights, shades, and Sonos playback with your voice alone.

For anyone who is catching up, Caseta is Lutron's do-it-yourself smart lighting system. It’s built around a small hub that basically talks to switches, dimmers, and plugs over a radio signal (instead of Wi-Fi), making it easier to manage the entire setup. While the company has worked alongside Sonos for a while, voice control was the one piece still missing from that partnership. That changes now.

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The best smart home gym equipment

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The average workout doesn't begin with your first rep anymore. It begins with the data you've already collected. Smartwatches track your sleep and heart rate, smart rings measure recovery, and some fitness enthusiasts even use continuous glucose monitors to better understand how their bodies respond to training and nutrition. Smart home gym equipment builds on that foundation, combining connected hardware with AI-powered coaching, adaptive resistance, and long-term progress tracking to turn health insights into smarter workouts.

Smart fitness has also grown well beyond streaming workout classes. The latest machines can automatically adjust resistance as you get stronger, analyze your performance over time, and sync with the health devices you already use. Some even use AI to recommend workouts based on your goals and training history, making every session feel more personalized. If you're still deciding whether investing in connected fitness makes sense for your lifestyle, check out our guide on whether a smart home gym is worth it.

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Tineco Pure ONE Station 5 Pro review: A reliable kit that’s low on maintenace, high on conveniences

An easy recommendation for anyone who wants a cordless vacuum that is genuinely easy to live with.

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With two young children and two dogs, my floors put vacuums through a real-world stress test every day. Between constant crumbs, pet hair, tracked-in dirt, and everything in between, there’s always something waiting to be cleaned. The Tineco Pure ONE Station 5 Pro solved those those pain points for me pretty well. It can run for over an hour and a half on a single charge, while its base station dustbin capacity outpaces many standard upright vacuums that I've tested over the years.