The company believes that will lead to less expensive installation costs, since installers won’t need to run CAT5 cable around the home, and it should be easier to setup too. The system features a touchscreen for intuitive operation, and the company is also releasing an Android tablet pre-loaded with an app that communicates with the security system.

Using the app, you’ll be able to monitor and control the system, although it will only work over your internal WiFi network: if you were hoping to keep an eye on your house across the country using the 4G connectivity, you’re out of luck. Naturally, the system will also play nice with Honeywell’s range of thermostats.

The LYNX Touch 5100 is available in limited quantities at the moment, with a wider rollout expected in June.

[via Electronichouse]

The Verge takes a closer look at Nest’s response to Honeywell, as well as the patent issues at play. Tony Fadell, CEO of Nest, is the former head of Apple’s iPod and iPhone programs, and has dealt with infringement claims before. In response to Honeywell’s lawsuit, they’ve brought on Apple patent counsel Richard Lutton Jr as vice president and general counsel. Lutton believes that Honeywell “jump in and try to scare new entrants back out of the market.”

Fadell says that Honeywell is simply trying to “strangle” Nest, and isn’t even after money, instead wanting to “maintain the status quo.” Nest cites the lack of innovation in the thermostat industry, as well as consumers failing to warm to Honeywell’s programmable models. Nest believes that Honeywell entered “damage control mode” after reviewers found the Nest to be a viable alternative.

Nest goes into great detail surrounding Honeywell’s patent claims, examining each one individually and refuting the assertions that they’re infringing on anything. For example, some of Honeywell’s patents require mechanical components, which the Nest thermostat simply doesn’t have. Nest doesn’t have any patents that it can attack Honeywell with, but it does have secure financial backing, which includes Google Ventures. The situation could lead to an legal quagmire, although Tony Fadell says the option of entering discussions with Honeywell to better understand their issue isn’t off the table.

For those of you unfamiliar with Nest, head back to the post where it was first introduced some weeks ago. What Honeywell is concentrating on now instead of the automatic system that works inside their older now-dead systems is instead a much simpler user interface, mobile applications, and partnerships like the one they have now with Opower. This Opower is a group that provides analytics and data to Honeywell that they can then use for demand response programs that will ask users if they want to adjust rather than adjusting in a completely automatic manner.

“We found that consumers prefer to control the thermostat, rather than being controlled by the thermostat.” – Wozniak

On the other hand, Honeywell’s Wozniak did note that Nest is bringing some much-needed attention to the consumer thermostat market in a general way. She noted that “cell phones and tablets have set a whole new bar for how things can be connected,” and continued to tout control over automation for the future. What do you think, citizens, will you want the automation of the Nest or the custom controls of Honeywell?

[via GigaOM]