Column: Google's move into the Nest

The Internet search giant acquires a start-up that builds smart devices for the home, plus a team of Apple veterans.

Google has just acquired the start-up company Nest, and along with it a team of engineers dedicated to creating smarter home devices, with an Apple veteran to lead them.

The acquisition will cost Google $3.2 billion, the company said in an announcement released after the close of the markets on Monday.

Nest is a four-year-old start-up with two products currently for sale on its own site as well as by Amazon and Apple.