Apple Preparing to Sell Nest Learning Thermostat at Retail Stores

Apple will soon offer the Nest Learning Thermostat through both its online and retail Apple Stores, iLounge reported Friday. The internet- and iOS-enabled thermostat will sell for $249.

 Nest, a digital thermostat that “learns” over time based on user behavior, was released to much media interest late last year. The product’s parent company, Nest Labs, was co-founded in 2010 by former Apple senior vice president and iPod creator Tony Fadell. The Nest attracted the attention of tech consumers and media not just due to its creator’s heritage, but also as a result of the undeniably “geeky” nature of the device. Internally, the Nest uses a “combination of sensors, algorithms, machine learning, and cloud computing” to learn from user behavior how to best maintain a home’s environmental settings while optimizing energy efficiency. Externally, the device is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing users with mobile devices to access their Nest via a free app, with which they can remotely adjust temperature settings, view historical data, and estimate energy usage. 

 The Nest itself is also beautifully and simply designed, with just a single control dial, paying homage its iPod step-sibling and it has received mostly positive reviews since its launch. If you can’t wait for Apple to start selling them, you can pick one up now at other retailers, such as Lowes, or via Nest’s website.

Apple's Next Event to Be Held on October 4, Starring Its New CEO

That’s the day Apple is currently expected to hold its next big media event, according to sources close to the situation, where the tech giant will unveil the next iteration of its popular iPhone.

While there have been a lot of conflicting reports about the exact timing of the event, including some that pegged it as taking place this month, AllThingsD had previously posted that the rollout of the iPhone 5 would be in October.

While Apple could certainly change its plans anytime, sources said that the October 4 date has been selected by the company to showcase the iPhone 5. Sources added that the plan is now to make the new device available for purchase within a few weeks after the announcement.

And while the iPhone 5 is a much anticipated handset, the event itself has a lot more importance for Apple than many previous ones.

That’s because it will be newly installed CEO Tim Cook’s first big product introduction and the place where the public will get a first lengthy impression of him that may well set the tone for Cook’s new role.

And that’s why, said sources, although he’s never quarterbacked an Apple product announcement before, Cook is certain to preside over the iPhone 5 rollout.

He has to, of course. To pass the presentation on to anyone else — even one of Apple’s key executives such as Phil Schiller, who has handled the Macworld and Worldwide Developers Conference keynotes in 2009 — would undercut Cook’s new role and reinforce public perception that its legendary outgoing CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs is Apple and that it will be a different company without him.

So, like his predecessor and as Jobs’s right-hand man and chosen successor, Cook is expected to be the main presenter at all big Apple media events going forward.

That said, sources said, he’s sure to have help from Apple lieutenants, such as marketing head Schiller, iOS chief Scott Forstall and Eddy Cue, recently named SVP of Internet Software and Services.

Still, the pressure will be on Cook to turn in a good performance at the event, especially after what has so far been a very smooth leadership transition at Apple.

What will be interesting to see, of course, is if Jobs himself will also make an appearance, which is something that is likely to be determined by his health in a decision that will made very close to the event.

And while putting Jobs onstage with Cook could diminish the new leader’s first public effort, what better “one more thing” than Jobs himself making a cameo appearance?

Tablet shipments below lofty expectations, says IDC

Global tablet shipments in the first quarter fell 28 percent from the fourth quarter and failed to hit expectations, according to research firm IDC.

Specifically, tablet shipments were 7.2 million units worldwide. Although that tally failed to meet expectations, IDC still raised its 2011 shipment forecast to 53.5 million from 50.4 million.

In a nutshell, the tablet market may prove to be just as seasonal as the PC industry and other electronics products. IDC also noted that e-reader shipments of 3.3 million were also down from the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, e-readers are posting 105 percent growth in the first quarter. Tablets don’t have year over year comparisons just yet.

IDC noted that Apple’s iPad continues to carry the tablet market, but the company’s shipments were below expectations. IDC added that “supply-chain hiccups” on screens and the announcement of the iPad 2 hurt units.

Despite the problems with tablet rivals, Android-based devices represented 34 percent of the operating system pie. E-readers, powered by Barnes & Noble’s Color Nook, are expected to ship 16.2 million units in 2011, up 24 percent from 2010.

In a statement, IDC analyst Jennifer Song said:

Although media tablet sales were not as high as expected in 1Q11 due to slower consumer demand, overall economic conditions, and supply-chain constraints, we believe with the entrance of competitive new devices in second half of 2011, the market will sell close to 53 million units for the year and continue to grow long-term.

However, there are a few wild-cards to ponder when it comes to tablet demand. Among them:

Price: $499 as an entry point is still pricey in a down economy. The jobs report on Friday was abysmal and consumers are likely to hold back after seeing some ugly headlines.

Lack of credible rivals to Apple: Apple can’t carry the global tablet market forever. Android tablets—at a better price point—need to step up. TechRepublic’s Bill Detwiler notes that teardowns reveal that HP’s tablet construction resembles a PC. HTC’s Flyer is constructed like a big phone. Those approaches may not work.

E-readers are cheaper: Barnes & Noble’s Color Nook is leading the e-reader race. The dirty secret: The Color Nook is a nice tablet for $250.

Those three items may be enough to prevent tablets from becoming the glory device in terms of unit shipments—especially if the economy remains so-so at best.