Since the launch of Amazon's Alexa, much of the gadget world has strived to integrate everyone's favorite voice assistant into a slew of devices that live around our home. But what are some of the more inventive integrations that have come along since Alexa changed the way we interact with technology?
Contents1. Smart Plugs2. Smart bulbs3. Thermostats4. Smart centers
While the same effect of being able to control some of the lights in your home can be achieved using a smart plug as mentioned above, options like Phillips Hue bulbs take that automation to the next level. Not only are they more practical (as they can also fit into recessed lighting, ceiling lighting, chandelier lighting and more), but they can also dim to command and set the mood with a number of different accents. different color options that will turn any home into a party central with just a few simple programmed voice commands.
As one of the very first major home automation products, smart thermostats, like the Nest, were also one of the first to integrate with Alexa. The connection is quite simple:you shout "Alexa, change the temperature", and Amazon's voice assistant takes care of the rest. The Nest is the main player in this game, although other thermostats like the Ecobee and options from Honeywell will do the job just as well, and often for much less than what you'd spend on a competing Nest system.
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Finally, there are devices called "smart hubs" that can act as a home base for all the different devices in your home. While many of these devices can respond to independent commands ("Alexa, change the temperature to 70°," for example), smart hubs can simultaneously control all of these devices at once to create "environments." Say you've just woken up - you can say "good morning" to your Alexa and the smart hub will turn on all the lights in your house, adjust the thermostat, open the blinds and turn on the coffee machine with just one voice command.
Smart hubs are only useful if you already have several of the other devices listed above connected in your home. They won't work with regular analog devices, so be sure to stock up on your collection before you go out and buy something like the Samsung SmartThings Hub.
Image credit:Alexa
