The tap through menus are anything but pleasant. Just watch this video:
https://youtu.be/YD3DfoJ3TVw?t=7m24s
To use a phone analogy it is like using a Nokia 3100 to write text messages, tap tap tap A, tap tap tap B, tap tap tap C. You have to do this literally in some cases to set the name.
Contrast that with this:
https://youtu.be/CmvX6YgAqMI?t=1m18s
To use the phone analogy once again, this is like using an iPhone to write text messages.
One is a modern accessible UX not dissimilar from a smartphone, the other is clunky and dated, you're working around limitations of the physical design.
> Does the Honeywell integrate with your utility to provide you rebates if you use their load shedding program?
Neither the Nest or Honeywell do.
> Does it have AirWave, integrate with Google Now, an API
It is a thermostat. It might have some of these, but they're beyond the scope of what I expect or would use from either one.
It does offer history, most smart thermostats do.
> Nest second place in the market. Puh-lease!
That's what people said about Blackberry too. I think touchscreen interfaces are a proven technology that consumers love.
The Nest could come back from this, they can offer additional product lines that address what their competitors are doing.
Some people legitimately do want a minimalist product. There is a real market for that. Others want a straight forward product with an iPad-like UX.