Microsoft Partners With Johnson Controls for New Cortana Thermostat 'GLAS'

[MacRumors]

Microsoft and Johnson Controls today revealed a new product partnership in a smart thermostat called "GLAS." The thermostat has been built by Johnson Controls, the company that made the first electric thermostat, with Microsoft providing all of the internal software, including the ability for users to awake and control its functions with smart AI assistant Cortana (via The Verge).

In the announcement video, GLAS is showcased as having an aluminum edge that attaches the thermostat to a wall, as well as a translucent touchscreen display that will let users tap and swipe through different temperature and control settings. The video mentioned that GLAS will monitor indoor and outdoor air temperature, as well as be knowledgeable of when a user is in the room or away from home, saving them money on their energy bills.

GLAS will run using Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Core operating system as well as the company's Azure Cloud computing platform. Microsoft provided the following description on its YouTube channel for the device, although any other official information has yet to come out:

Heating and cooling account for roughly 48% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most families. In the commercial building sector, the cost is approximately 40%. Johnson Controls, one of the leading providers of HVAC, Fire and Security systems in the world, is changing how spaces are viewed and controlled. As the inventors of the first thermostat, Johnson Controls has innovated once again with GLAS.

Utilizing Windows 10 IoT Core, Cortana voice services, and Azure Cloud, GLAS is a simple to use, elegant thermostat that brings leading energy savings and air quality monitoring to everyday spaces. Johnson Controls is reinventing the thermostat and our lives.

The upcoming Johnson Controls GLAS thermostat is one of the newest devices using Microsoft's Cortana Devices SDK, which enables third-party hardware manufacturers to bake in the voice-activated AI to new devices. The company announced it would be opening up Cortana to new hardware makers late last year, confirming it wanted to see Cortana placed within fridges, toasters, thermostats, and other Internet of Things devices.

One of the first devices coming out of the announcement is tipped to be a Cortana-based smart speaker made by Harman Kardon. That speaker is rumored to launch sometime this fall, and will enter the market as a competitor to the Amazon Echo and Apple's upcoming HomePod.

Article Link: Microsoft Partners With Johnson Controls for New Cortana Thermostat 'GLAS'

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Congrats to Johnson Controls, the real innovator here.

 

[mthomas184]

It is sweet looking, but since it's Microsoft, I would never consider it.

 

[lunarworks]

Neat, but I'm not sure I like the concept of an internet-connect mic in every device in the house...

 

[iReality85]

Congrats to Johnson Controls, the real innovator here.

My company does a lot of business with JCI in our HVAC services dept, temp controls being one area. So this is cool news.

 

[jmh600cbr]

looks nice. i love my ecobee so i dont see why people wont like this

 

[mabhatter]

I hope this was properly tested. Ha,ha GLAdoS is back!!

 

[DeepIn2U]

Congrats to Johnson Controls, the real innovator here.

Funny how they just stopped at temperature controls.

JCI Inc does:
switching for lights, shades and blinds,
VC setup (Video Conferencing controls and install implementation),
etc.

Why not have this system also control lighting, shades and blinds for the home and office/business respectively?

 

[macduke]

looks nice. i love my ecobee so i dont see why people wont like this

I like my Ecobee. I liked the Nest more at my old house, but refused to buy it again because they became an Alphabet company. The new Ecobee has Alexa crap baked into it with microphones, so I doubt I'll be buying another Ecobee. Hopefully this one lasts me a long time, but I haven't been super thrilled with the performance of the wireless sensors. At least they sent me a new one for the one that was giving me real troubles disconnecting 15ft line of sight and would disconnect a couple times per day, meaning I'd have to dismiss dozens of messages if I needed to use the control panel on my wall. The other sensors just don't have the range to work well where I need them, but I've at least got one working in a spot downstairs now. Hopefully in the future we can get BT LE mesh sensors so they can pass data along between them back to the main unit. The main problem I have with Ecobee is that the software isn't that great. It's a lot less intuitive than the Nest, but I do like the HomeKit integration, which partially makes up for that.

 

[vailr]

One overlooked comfort aspect with wall mounted thermostats is: humidity.
If they can factor in both humidity and temperature into a unified "air comfort" control, that would be significant.
Simple air circulation on/off (without necessarily cooling or heating) on a timed interval basis would also be something not found in most wall thermostats.
Maybe even include a system design that would incorporate both the central air handling and smart ceiling fans, that would be able to control ceiling fans: on/off, fan speed, and direction: air blowing up or down. According to whether the central air system is trying to cool in summer vs. trying to heat in winter.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Funny how they just stopped at temperature controls.

JCI Inc does:
switching for lights, shades and blinds,
VC setup (Video Conferencing controls and install implementation),
etc.

Why not have this system also control lighting, shades and blinds for the home and office/business respectively?

That would be a good idea.

 

[spazzcat]

I like my Ecobee. I liked the Nest more at my old house, but refused to buy it again because they became an Alphabet company. The new Ecobee has Alexa crap baked into it with microphones, so I doubt I'll be buying another Ecobee. Hopefully this one lasts me a long time, but I haven't been super thrilled with the performance of the wireless sensors. At least they sent me a new one for the one that was giving me real troubles disconnecting 15ft line of sight and would disconnect a couple times per day, meaning I'd have to dismiss dozens of messages if I needed to use the control panel on my wall. The other sensors just don't have the range to work well where I need them, but I've at least got one working in a spot downstairs now. Hopefully in the future we can get BT LE mesh sensors so they can pass data along between them back to the main unit. The main problem I have with Ecobee is that the software isn't that great. It's a lot less intuitive than the Nest, but I do like the HomeKit integration, which partially makes up for that.

Do you have computer or smart phone with a mic?

 

[macduke]

Do you have computer or smart phone with a mic?

No, but I do have a Mac and an iPhone

 

[jmgregory1]

If all these various voice activated devices are used in a single setting, they're going to need to be programmable to activate by something other than Hey Siri or Hey Cortana, otherwise you'll have multiple devices responding. I already have that issue with Siri now. When you think about it, if you've generally always have your phone on you, it makes the most sense to have it be what controls any of the devices, instead of individual devices being separately controllable.

So much easier to say, "Hey Siri, turn the thermostat up to 72 and turn the light off in the bedroom" and have both processes taken care of by a single iPhone, Watch, iPad or Mac, imho.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I hope this was properly tested. Ha,ha GLAdoS is back!!

Yeah, I thought the same thing. Then there's also the whole Johnson name... can't fool me, Cave Johnson!

Goddamnit, don't turn it on or it'll spray you with deadly neurotoxic gas.

 

[pkagel]

Chances are this will do a lot more things that you guys are asking for but they just haven't got that far in the software development. It will be interesting to see where they go with this.

My Ecobee has been a great device and is very easy to work with once you learn what it does. Not as simple as the Nest but much more flexible. I've had no sensor problems at all and I have 6 of them for the last year.

 

[jimothyGator]

My company does a lot of business with JCI in our HVAC services dept, temp controls being one area. So this is cool news.

Except in the winter, when it's warm news.

 

[DeepIn2U]

It is sweet looking, but since it's Microsoft, I would never consider it.

As if Bixby or Siri could do ANYTHING close to this right now? Pfff. Microsoft with their Azure Cloud services is 2nd ONLY to IBM's Watson and that is a BIG gap between the two. I'd LOVE Siri to be just as good or better but it seems Apple doesn't have the expertise in this field and their wasting business dollars on a car that will NEVER come to fruition - just wasted R&D. Sure Apple should improve Siri for drivers but it should Improve Siri's connectivity and real true machine learning (and not flaunt as a catch phrase).

Neat, but I'm not sure I like the concept of an internet-connect mic in every device in the house...

JCI also does office security (scan card systems etc), as well as camera's even for banks!! you best believe you'd like the concept of that!

This is why I'm so shocked this is just a 1 use product ??? Doesn't make sense with their business and expertise!?

 

[lhymes]

That's a good looking thermostat. Props to both companies. I look forward to seeing what new partnership products Microsoft brings to the table. It's good for product competition. I plan on getting a new Ecobee when we move (using a 2nd gen Nest and have been happy with it, but love the additional features Ecobee offers). I'll certainly hold off and see how this thing performs.

 

[chucker23n1]

Do you have computer or smart phone with a mic?

A computer and phone are something you take with you (or turn off when you don't) and expressly interact with. These devices are permanently attached to your home.

A computer and phone tend to come with security updates for years. These devices often don't.
[doublepost=1500578417][/doublepost]

As if Bixby or Siri could do ANYTHING close to this right now? Pfff. Microsoft with their Azure Cloud services is 2nd ONLY to IBM's Watson and that is a BIG gap between the two. I'd LOVE Siri to be just as good or better

Azure, Watson, and Siri are three completely different product categories.

 

[aristobrat]

One overlooked comfort aspect with wall mounted thermostats is: humidity.

Ecobee does, somewhat. It definitely monitors and displays the indoor humidity. My HVAC system doesn’t have a dehumidifier (or humidifier), so my only options are for it to run the A/C longer once the humidity exceeds a certain level <even if that results in the temp becoming cooler than what the thermostat is set for... I can control how many degrees below the temp set point it goes>.

It also gives me alerts when the humidity level quickly rises, which usually means someone didn’t shut the back door all the way, and the dog bumped it all the way open. The joys of summer in the humid mid-Atlantic!

 

[ke-iron]

If all these various voice activated devices are used in a single setting, they're going to need to be programmable to activate by something other than Hey Siri or Hey Cortana, otherwise you'll have multiple devices responding. I already have that issue with Siri now. When you think about it, if you've generally always have your phone on you, it makes the most sense to have it be what controls any of the devices, instead of individual devices being separately controllable.

So much easier to say, "Hey Siri, turn the thermostat up to 72 and turn the light off in the bedroom" and have both processes taken care of by a single iPhone, Watch, iPad or Mac, imho.

Apple already has a solution for this. When I’m wearing my watch and I raise my wrist and say, “hey Siri” both my watch and phone Siri activates, but my phone somehow knows my watch Siri is active and the phone automatically cancels the Siri almost immediately. I haven’t turned on hey Siri on my iPad so I’m not sure how it would playout, but I’m assuming it’ll be similar to how the iPhone and watch combination works, and automatically cancel all but the watch. I can only imagine the home pod will take priority over all other Apple devices since it has long range microphones.

 

[Jdcook]

Microsoft and Johnson Controls today revealed a new product partnership in a smart thermostat called "GLAS." The thermostat has been built by Johnson Controls, the company that made the first electric thermostat, with Microsoft providing all of the internal software, including the ability for users to awake and control its functions with smart AI assistant Cortana (via The Verge).

In the announcement video, GLAS is showcased as having an aluminum edge that attaches the thermostat to a wall, as well as a translucent touchscreen display that will let users tap and swipe through different temperature and control settings. The video mentioned that GLAS will monitor indoor and outdoor air temperature, as well as be knowledgeable of when a user is in the room or away from home, saving them money on their energy bills.

GLAS will run using Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Core operating system as well as the company's Azure Cloud computing platform. Microsoft provided the following description on its YouTube channel for the device, although any other official information has yet to come out:
The upcoming Johnson Controls GLAS thermostat is one of the newest devices using Microsoft's Cortana Devices SDK, which enables third-party hardware manufacturers to bake in the voice-activated AI to new devices. The company announced it would be opening up Cortana to new hardware makers late last year, confirming it wanted to see Cortana placed within fridges, toasters, thermostats, and other Internet of Things devices.

One of the first devices coming out of the announcement is tipped to be a Cortana-based smart speaker made by Harman Kardon. That speaker is rumored to launch sometime this fall, and will enter the market as a competitor to the Amazon Echo and Apple's upcoming HomePod.

Article Link: Microsoft Partners With Johnson Controls for New Cortana Thermostat 'GLAS'

 

[mthomas184]

As if Bixby or Siri could do ANYTHING close to this right now? Pfff.

I never said that Siri could, now did I? All I said was since it's Microsoft I'll never consider it. Why? Because Microsoft blows.

 

[WRChris]

Microsoft and Johnson Controls today revealed a new product partnership in a smart thermostat called "GLAS." The thermostat has been built by Johnson Controls, the company that made the first electric thermostat, with Microsoft providing all of the internal software, including the ability for users to awake and control its functions with smart AI assistant Cortana (via The Verge).

In the announcement video, GLAS is showcased as having an aluminum edge that attaches the thermostat to a wall, as well as a translucent touchscreen display that will let users tap and swipe through different temperature and control settings. The video mentioned that GLAS will monitor indoor and outdoor air temperature, as well as be knowledgeable of when a user is in the room or away from home, saving them money on their energy bills.

GLAS will run using Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Core operating system as well as the company's Azure Cloud computing platform. Microsoft provided the following description on its YouTube channel for the device, although any other official information has yet to come out:
The upcoming Johnson Controls GLAS thermostat is one of the newest devices using Microsoft's Cortana Devices SDK, which enables third-party hardware manufacturers to bake in the voice-activated AI to new devices. The company announced it would be opening up Cortana to new hardware makers late last year, confirming it wanted to see Cortana placed within fridges, toasters, thermostats, and other Internet of Things devices.

One of the first devices coming out of the announcement is tipped to be a Cortana-based smart speaker made by Harman Kardon. That speaker is rumored to launch sometime this fall, and will enter the market as a competitor to the Amazon Echo and Apple's upcoming HomePod.

Article Link: Microsoft Partners With Johnson Controls for New Cortana Thermostat 'GLAS'

Lol, Cortana. Anyone who says Siri is the worst assistant has never used Cortana. It's terrible on Xbox one, at least.