First Alert dives into the smart home with a fancy Wi-Fi thermostat

LAS VEGAS -- No doubt inspired by the popularity of Google's Nest , First Alert plans to bring its own smart thermostat into heavily Internet-connected homes by early 2015. Called the Onelink Wi-Fi Thermostat and unveiled at CES 2015, this $249 household gadget promises to offer all of the basic bells and whistles you'd expect to see from a modern climate control system. These include remote temperature monitoring and control along with sophisticated modes for when you're away, lounging in the living room or snugly tucked in bed catching Z's.

First Alert, however, says that the Onelink can tackle much more. Specifically the Onelink, and its corresponding mobile application, lets users view three-day forecasts and current local weather conditions. With this data, First Alert claims Onelink owners will be able to better set thermostat schedules in advance.

Other nifty tricks the device can do include the ability to remind you when it's time to clean your air filters or perform similar HVAC maintenance. Heck, you can even use the Onelink's color touchscreen as a digital photo frame when it's otherwise indisposed. Keep in mind, though, that any pictures must be transferred the old-fashioned way -- via a physical SD card.

What's more, First Alert envisions the Onelink Thermostat as just one part of a larger smart-home platform. Indeed, the company also explained that other products such as a Wi-Fi Environmental Monitor (CO, temperature, humidity), Wi-Fi Safe, a tracker to keep tabs on loved ones and pets, not to mention a fitness watch, all will link to the Onelink system.