Third Generation Nest Learning Thermostat comes with better WiFi connectivity; slimmer design, bigger display

Google announced that the third generation Learning Thermostat has recently updated its looks and features although it retains some characteristics from its first and second generation thermostats, such as automatically turning itself on when you get home.

The Learning Thermostat will also collaborate with the Nest Cam security camera and Nest Protect smoke and carbon dioxide protector.

The third gen thermostat comes with a display that is more pixel dense than older generation thermostats. It also has a 40 percent larger display, improved brightness and thinner body. With its recent improvements on the on-screen graphics, the users can easily read the display from a further distance.

In the older Nest thermostats, a user had to be at least three feet away from it to enable its motion detection features, lighting up its display. The new thermostat can detect motion from up to 25 feet away.

The updated version will allow the user to set its display to never turn off. Nest calls this feature "Farsight", which allows you to display target temperature or the time in the digital or analog form.

The new Learning Thermostat comes with a feature that monitors the auto shut-off features on furnaces preventing overheating.

The feature is aptly called "Furnace Heads-Up" and works by allowing the thermostat to alert a user on-screen and through its app notification if it monitors unusual shut-off patterns. Older versions of the Learning Thermostat will get this feature before the year ends.

The thermostat's WiFi radio is also enhanced by running on 5GHz instead of the previous 2.4GHz spectrum and will come with a Bluetooth Low Energy radio, which unfortunately, will not be activated at first.

The newly updated Nest Learning Thermostat will be available starting September 1 for $250. On the other hand, for as long as supplies last, second generation thermostats will be available for $200.