Apple veteran Tony Fadell discusses his transition from developing the iPhone to founding Nest, aiming to modernize the home thermostat and reshape the future of smart home technology.

Key Points

• Tony Fadell, a key figure in the creation of the iPhone, founded Nest to address frustrations with outdated and inefficient home temperature control systems.
• The latest episode of The Verge’s "Version History" podcast explores the early development, rapid success, and design challenges of the original Nest Learning Thermostat.
• Hosts David Pierce, Nilay Patel, and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy analyze how Nest’s vision for the smart home eventually became an industry standard.
• The episode is part of the fourth season of "Version History," which focuses on the history of iconic consumer electronics like the Roomba and Harmony remote.

Why it Matters

The story of Nest highlights how consumer-focused design principles from the mobile industry successfully transitioned into the home automation market. This shift fundamentally changed how users interact with household infrastructure and paved the way for the modern smart home ecosystem.