The software update, which is a 4.3 version, introduces a revised auto-schedule algorithm that aims to save users on their heating and cooling bills by up to 6 percent. The trick lies in its ability to recognize the user's schedule changes at a faster rate.
In other words, the feature can easily determine a shift in one's schedule which includes knowing the season of the year and how this information would influence the schedule of the children who are going to school. The temperature adjustment from summer to fall will be recognized as part of a new pattern instead of just being a single change.
The 'Quick View' feature of the update is the company's response to the numerous requests that it has received from customers. People have always wanted their thermostat to display the time and outside temperature reading. The update has been designed to deliver those data just a little bit easier. By pushing the ring once, the user can read data on weather, humidity and outdoor temperature. Turning the ring will allow the user to get a quick summary of important details such as the amount of energy used the day before or what he could expect on the next schedule. There's no need to go through all the device's settings and menus as every bit of information will be just one push or one turn of the ring away.
"Auto-Schedule was the first feature we thought of for the Nest Learning Thermostat," says Nest on its official blog. "We knew most people didn't program their thermostats - it's just too complicated. So Auto-Schedule just learns the temperatures you like. No programming necessary. It's why 95 percent of Nest Thermostats have schedules and it's one of the main reasons Nest is a 'learning' thermostat."
The new software also features a system test that regularly checks a user's heating and cooling just to assure the user that everything in the system is working out just fine. This way, users can easily spot and address issues, if there are any, in a timely manner.
Moreover, the update has added time and weather support on a global scale. In order to know if the new software is already in the system, the user can simply check the Energy History. He can also push the ring and check if the Quick View humidity, outdoor temp and weather can be seen. If both options are not possible, it means that the software is still on its way and should become available towards the end of the week.
The update is a free, automatic download for all Wi-Fi connected Nest thermostats.
