Microsoft's Cortana-powered thermostat is totally gorgeous
Move over, Nest. Microsoft and Johnson Controls have a new, Cortana-powered thermostat called GLAS.
Microsoft released on Wednesday a YouTube video debuting a new smart thermostat called GLAS.
According to the video (embedded above), GLAS has presence-detection capabilities, registers indoor and outdoor air quality data and sends customers daily usage reports.
Microsoft and Johnson Controls have joined forces to make a Cortana-powered thermostat.
As far as tech goes, Microsoft said the thermostat harnesses the Windows 10 IoT Core OS, Cortana voice control and Microsoft Azure. Its partner, Johnson Controls, is handling product manufacturing.
GLAS, which is designed for homes and businesses, presents an intriguing alternative to the current leaders in the smart thermostat space: Nest , Ecobee and Honeywell .
Nest's Learning Thermostat , now in its third iteration, works with Amazon Alexa products and the Google Home . Ecobee's Ecobee3 and Ecobee4 thermostats, like Honeywell's Lyric thermostats , work with Amazon Alexa products and Apple's Siri-based HomeKit platform.
This will be the first Cortana-powered thermostat we've seen and, judging by the video, its innovative see-through design is poised to rival the attractive Nest. We're tracking down pricing and availability details now, so check back soon for updates.
Microsoft declined to comment on this story; Johnson Controls told me they will share more "later this year."