From The
Editor ’ s Desk
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Large numbers of automation platforms showed Amazon Echo compatibility at the CEDIA Expo
Let ’ s Work Together !
So it ’ s been a very busy month in the install world : Kaleidescape was closed and then saved , the CEDIA Expo took place in Dallas and CEDIA itself announced a major restructure as its US and European arms are to merge . Often I get asked what the main theme of a show event was and to be honest sometimes it ’ s difficult to say . Not so this month .
At CEDIA Expo in Dallas , collaboration between brands and products was witnessed on a scale never before seen , some of which even the bravest of commentators would not have predicted just a short time ago . So-called DIY products featured in collaborations on more established automation brands ’ stands , as other well-known names in the install world decided to launch joint ventures also .
The biggest news was that following on from the announcement that Amazon ’ s Alexa – powered smart speaker , the Echo , was finally to get a release date in the UK , many automation platforms have waded in with compatibility for the device including Crestron , Savant , Control4 and URC . Many of these collaborations were showcased at CEDIA and it looks certain more will follow . So what are established companies doing putting their faith in a ‘ DIY ’ product ? Well for one thing voice activation is a technology they know that many consumers want and of course having access to Amazon ’ s billions of users is hugely inviting , so instead of investing the huge amount of time it would take to develop one of their own , why not use Amazon ’ s ? For Amazon , the product was only designed in the first place to allow easier ordering of its stock / listening to music , however the project has grown wings and clearly Amazon sees huge benefits being put in the mix of automated homes . So as long as the integration works , it ’ s a win-win for installers who want to include voice activation , particularly as the Amazon dot can provide a voice activated point in each room . Amazon won ’ t have it all its own way of course ; Apple ’ s Siri and Microsoft ’ s Cortana are platforms that are in play here as well , so it seems likely there will be movement here as well . The potential upsurge for home automation could be absolutely huge . The marketing power and reach of companiess like Amazon coupled with a desire to be in the home automation market could provide a paradigm shift in awareness for the sector . The good news is that involvement with shows like the CEDIA Expo has shown that Amazon at least has realised it can ’ t do home automation on its own – it needs the expertise of installers and the more established brands . Interestingly Google also had a stand showcasing the capabilities of its Google Cast platform . So far from destroying the home automation sector as some have predicted , these global super brands could deliver a boost never before seen .
That is not where the collaboration ended at CEDIA however : Sonos and Crestron showcased their project to offer genuine compatibility and they won ’ t be the last with platforms like URC enhancing compatibility as well . Origin Acoustics and Bang & Olufsen announced their own love-in with the creation of a speaker line with the audio chops of Origin and the aesthetics of the Danish brand combined . Again good news for installers , as much of the work that was previously needed to get disparate products to work together is now being done further up the pipe , but there is still the need to install the products and add those special touches to make them system really sing . All in all it was a CEDIA Expo packed full of potential benefits for installers .
EDITOR IN CHIEF : Daniel Sait , dan @ allthingsmedialtd . com WEB EDITOR : Alice Gustafson , alice @ allthingsmedialtd . com STAFF WRITER : Jordan O ’ Brien , jordan @ allthingsmedialtd . com SALES DIRECTOR : Ian Kitchener , ian @ allthingsmedialtd . com INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER : Claire Talty , claire @ allthingsmedialtd . com PUBLISHER : David Kitchener , david @ allthingsmedialtd . com ACCOUNTS : susan @ allthingsmedialtd . com CIRCULATION : carol @ allthingsmedialtd . com STUDIO MANAGER : Ben Bristow , @ allthingsmedialtd . com GRAPHIC DESIGN : Jon Appleton , jon @ allthingsmedialtd . com
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