Everything new with Google's Nest Learning Thermostat: Key features, specs, price, and more

The widely popular Nest Learning Thermostat may be Google's biggest home run this past decade. At launch, it promised to conserve energy and reduce utility bills, and its future-proof design has kept it relevant even today, nine years after the launch of the third generation.

Today, Google is reimagining the Nest Learning Thermostat and launching a fourth-generation model.

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At $279, the new Nest Learning Thermostat takes a page from the original's visual simplicity. The device is available in three polished finishes (silver, obsidian, and gold), and features an LCD that's 60% larger than the previous generation's. The domed lens resembles the Pixel Watch, and the device features a customizable home screen reminiscent of the wearable's user interface.

It's rare for companies to strike gold with a smart home device that remains relevant and popular without launching a new version for nine years. With the latest model, Google is retaining most of its consumers' favorite features while adding subtle yet meaningful upgrades. For example, the metal ring surrounding the display gives off haptic feedback when you dial it.

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Google is also improving the artificial intelligence (AI) technology powering the device's learning feature and adding support for smart schedules, which are based on the temperatures users occasionally set and their other living habits. Instead of having the learning feature adapt to the HVAC system automatically, you can choose to get a notification that will suggest changes before making them.

The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat also learns how homes react to different outdoor conditions. It anticipates upcoming weather changes and optimizes settings accordingly. Google explains this feature with an example of a mild winter day. Instead of heating the house using the HVAC system, the new Nest Learning Thermostat can analyze if the outside temperature will rise enough during the day to warm the inside, adjusting the heating accordingly.

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Each Nest Learning Thermostat includes a new Nest Temperature Sensor that you can place in different rooms. With the purchase of extra sensors, available at $40 each or $100 for a three-pack, you can target a comfortable average across multiple rooms or set schedules to prioritize certain areas at different points of the day or week. 

The smart thermostat's proximity sensor enables Dynamic Farsight, which changes the screen's display from a simplified view to a more detailed one when someone approaches. The display can be customized to show a clock or the weather outside, with an animation when someone walks by.

With the new Nest Learning Thermostat, Google says consumers can save an average of 12% on heating and 15% on cooling bills. The device features 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and is partially built with recycled materials. 

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The Nest Learning Thermostat features a 12-wire backplate, allowing it to work with more complex systems than its predecessor. It offers a smart ventilation system that automatically stops outside air ventilation when outdoor air quality is unhealthy, and includes a humidity helper feature that lets the device work with other humidity control equipment.

As for availability, the new Matter-certified Nest Learning Thermostat with a Nest Temperature Sensor is available for preorder today and officially goes on sale on August 20. At $279, it's slightly more expensive than its predecessor. We'll have to see if the upcharge is worth it after reviewing the smart home accessory ourselves, so stay tuned.