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Amazon Echo driven by Alexa is making big in-roads into the home automation market
Amazon Echo Makes A Big Noise At CEDIA Dallas 2016
The recent CEDIA Expo in Dallas had one inescapable theme , that of automation companies lining up to promote compatibility with Amazon ’ s Alexa powered Echo product .
Crestron announced that its installers can now leverage Alexa Voice Service to build voice controlled scenes and settings that are fully customised , with the user able to set specific scenes and activate them using voice . Integration is not limited to basic functions such as lighting and temperature ; homeowners can choose from an unlimited range of voice control options for their homes , says Crestron .
Crestron installers can define and deploy Alexa using new software modules that interface with both the Smart Home Skill API and the Alexa Skills Kit SDK . These modules are for use with homes using both Crestron 3-Series processors and Crestron Pyng App ( coming soon ).
Crestron is promising more detailed information regarding its Alexa support as it becomes available and is also promising a suite of training resources .
Not to be outdone , Control4 also announced compatibility with users able to activate smart home scenes and control individual devices using nothing but voice . Scenes could be anything from a ‘ cooking ’ scene that can raise the lights in the kitchen , lower the shades and turn on the TV to a preset food channel , or a simple scene that will turn all devices and lights off , lock the doors and lower the thermostat using the command ‘ Alexa , turn off house ’.
Connecting an Alexa-enabled device within a Control4 home is activated by enabling the Control4 Smart Home Skill inside the Alexa App , which connects with Control4 discovering devices and scenes .
The Control4 Smart Home Skill is available now for the Alexa family : Amazon Echo , Echo Dot , Amazon Tap , and
Amazon Fire TV . This new Alexa skill is included with a Control4 4Sight subscription and requires an Alexa-enabled device to use it . Other companies connecting with the Echo and Alexa platform include URC , Savant , Elan , ( via November software update ) and Lutron .
More bang for your buck , as these Danish and American firms join forces
Bang & Olufsen and Origin Acoustics Team Up
Bang & Olufsen has been making lots of positive noises about the CI sector of late and to underline this , the recent CEDIA show saw a new line of install speakers showcased on the Origin Acoustics stand . The SpeakerCraft brand did OEM for the Danish maker in the past , the relationship with SpeakerCraft ’ s original management team , who of course now head up Origin , has been rekindled and bought to life with a new architectural speaker range .
The family includes two different product categories , a range of inceiling speakers dubbed Celestial , as well as a new in-wall speaker concept dubbed Palatial . Both promise to offer an ‘ extensive ’ range of grilles and covers to complement any interior design .
The Celestial in-wall speaker range utilises a mix of both Origin Acoustics and Bang & Olufsen technology . This includes Origin ’ s Weather-X technology that allows the speakers to be installed both inside and outside . The speakers also come with a premium grille featuring branding from both companies . Zip Clip 2.0 has also been included which promises easy installation .
Like the Celestial line , the Palatial in-wall high performance theatre collection has also been designed using technology from both companies . It includes two 6.5in woofers , two midrange drivers and a 1in tweeted engineered to cover the entire frequency range in one unit . Installers will also have an option when it comes to grilles – they can opt for either the Weather-X grille or an advanced grille that adds style elements that the two companies claim can ’ t be found in any other in-wall speaker .
More Information : Bang & Olufsen www . bang-olufsen . com
10 | September 2016