Amazon Alexa, the voice service technology from Amazon, allows the user to access music, weather, information, and many other things.
In this post, we wanted to give you the rundown on the products that currently work with Amazon Alexa, and then give you information on products and uses that will be coming in the near future.
Sound cool?
Works With Alexa – The Products
Let’s first start with lighting. Wouldn’t you like to just say, “Alexa, turn on the lights”? Well with a simple setup, you can automate the lighting in your home.
We recommend the starter kits, mainly because you will not have to worry about buying the components separately.
Lighting
The Philips Hue White Ambiance Starter Kit comes with everything you need: two bulbs, a hue bridge, and a dimmer switch. The bulbs use only 10.5 watts, so there’s some energy saving right off the bat. The dimmer can control up to 50 different hue products, so this is something you can build with. You can also use your smartphone app, as Siri and Alexa will carry out your commands. There are other lighting options available, so feel free to browse and see if any of those will suit you.
Switches
If you just want to dip your toe into the whole home automation thing, then we suggest getting one of the switches that are available. You just plug in the switch, then plug in the device into the switch. Once that is done, just download the app to your phone, and you are good to go. You can control your lights and appliances from anywhere.
Did you leave the lights on when you left the house today?
WeMo Insight Switch with Energy Monitor
This one will show insights on how much energy you are saving.
Thermostats
We actually have an entire post dedicated to thermostats, and you can see that here.
Works With Alexa
This is only the beginning to the Artificial Intelligence lifestyle we will be living. At the CES Show 2017, Amazon announced that there will be several partners that will embed the Alexa technology into their products.
LG has always been on the cutting edge of tech, so it is not a surprise that they will have the Alexa technology in their upcoming InstaView refrigerator. Hey, you might be able to order groceries from Amazon’s new grocery service through the refrigerator.
Whirlpool is also adding Alexa to some of their upcoming products.
ADT has also added the tech. Customers will be able to arm and disarm their security systems through the Alexa and Echo lines.
Ford’s Sync3 Infotainment System will be using Alexa. Ford Sync is nothing new, as it has been around for 10 years, but they will be adding the Alexa digital assistant.
So, as you can see, Artificial Intelligence is coming on fast. This will definitely make our lives easier. Now we just need robot technology to catch up, so if you are watching football, you do not even need to get up out of your seat!
