The ongoing battle between Google and Amazon has just taken another turn, after the online retail giant announced it wouldn’t stock future products from Nest. As a result of the move, Nest has decided not to sell any more of its items on the site once the current inventory is depleted. Business Insider reports that a conference call between the two companies’ employees saw Amazon’s team inform Nest it wouldn’t be listing any of its newer products, such as the latest thermostat and Nest Cam IQ. Amazon said the decision had nothing to do with the quality of Nest’s products, which have excellent customer reviews, but “came from the top.” It appears that this was a reference to CEO Jeff Bezos, but the Amazon staff never explicitly mentioned the company boss. A person familiar with the matter said that in response, Nest decided to take an “all or nothing” approach and stop selling its products on Amazon once current stocks run out. … [Read more...] about Amazon stops selling Nest products as war with Google continues
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Google Nest’s Oscars ad says treating women right starts at home
Now that Google once again is aligned with smart appliance maker Nest, you can expect a bump in the company's marketing budget. And it is very "Google" that Nest's home surveillance system stars in a commercial that has another message to it, besides trying to sell you on home security. One message shows viewers the added safety inherent in having a doorbell with a smartphone accessible webcam built-in. The other message is one aimed at the #MeToo movement as the commercial is apparently giving young men rules on how women should be treated.In the ad, a boy named Steven is about to head off to the prom with his date, Sarah. But Steven's father, who seemingly is standing by the front door, calls his son back for some advice. "Tonight's a big night. I want to make sure you understand how special Sarah is. So treat her with respect. And don't assume being her date means anything more than that. And one more thing Steven. Have fun, bud."And as the ad comes to its end, we discover … [Read more...] about Google Nest’s Oscars ad says treating women right starts at home
Amazon will soon stop selling all Nest products
Nest products won’t be sold by Amazon.com any longer once current stock runs out, according to a report from Business Insider. Amazon last year declined to offer some of Nest’s newer products like the Nest Cam IQ and latest-generation smart thermostat. After weeks of simply ignoring the products and being unresponsive to Nest, Amazon informed the company of its decision by phone late in the year and said the directive “came from the top,” something Nest took to mean it had been handed down by CEO Jeff Bezos. There has been no direct confirmation of this, however. As a result, Nest has decided to halt further restocks at Amazon once remaining product inventory is exhausted. It’s unclear whether third-party sellers will continue selling Nest gadgets, but Amazon itself will not. In removing itself from Amazon, Nest’s reasoning is that the powerful retailer should be selling its entire product family or nothing at all. Right now, several Nest products … [Read more...] about Amazon will soon stop selling all Nest products
Google Nest backs #MeToo movement in weird Oscars 2018 ad
Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.What will happen at the Oscars?The usual answer is "not so much, other than presenters announcing the wrong winner." Though the occasional group selfie can make headlines.At Sunday's 2018 awards ceremony in Los Angeles, some suspect there will be political statements, specifically about the #MeToo movement that's roiled Hollywood ever since sexual harassment allegations were leveled against producer Harvey Weinstein. Google has decided to enter the controversy too. It's released an ad that will run during Sunday's broadcast for its Nest home surveillance -- I mean connected home device -- brand that suggests the problem starts when men are boys.Here we see teens leaving for prom night. As they leave one of the boy's houses and walk toward their car, a voice calls the boy back."Stephen," it says. "Can I have a minute?"There's something a little dismembered about this voice. It's as if … [Read more...] about Google Nest backs #MeToo movement in weird Oscars 2018 ad
Amazon may stop selling Google’s Nest products
Amazon may stop stocking Google's Nest line of products, continuing the companies' already rocky history of support for each other's products.According to a Business Insider report Friday, Amazon told Nest late last year that the online retailer wouldn't be listing any of Nest's newer products, which include a smart thermostat and other home appliances.Amazon declined to comment on the BI report, and Google didn't respond to a request for comment.When the listings disappear, Nest products might still be available from independent sellers on Amazon. Otherwise, they'll be going the way of Google's Chromecast and Home speakers, neither of which is in stock on Amazon and which compete, respectively, with Amazon's Fire TV streamers and Echo speakers.The news comes days after Amazon bought Ring, the maker of the Ring Video Doorbell. Amazon has also been beefing up its own home security products, such as its Cloud Cam. … [Read more...] about Amazon may stop selling Google’s Nest products