Alexa Prepares for the Context-Aware Smart Home
On the heels of last week’s Alexa Live event, Amazon is touting the impact the Matter specification will have on the smart home. While getting devices from multiple manufacturers to work together is the stated goal, ambient computing, the ability of connected devices to predict user actions based on context, will provide the most value. According to one executive, Matter will unlock new development opportunities as information from one device- say a door lock that senses a user is leaving the house- can be transmitted to a smart lighting system to signal a dimming routine for when the home is unoccupied.
The NPD Take:
- While the Matter specification will help consumers find devices that are interoperable with other products owned in the home, easier data sharing between devices will also benefit aspects of home automation.
- While Matter will add some other enhancements like allowing Alexa to respond faster to spoken commands and keeping the smart home up and running when the home internet connection goes down (with the help of a Thread border router) the real benefit of interoperability might be in promoting ambient computing and allowing devices to work smartly without as much set up time from users.
Xiaomi’s New Smart Speaker Can Control Dumb Appliances
Xiaomi’s new Smart Speaker IR Control operates like any other smart speaker on the market and it integrates with Google Assistant. However, through a complicated process requiring users to download Xiaomi’s Mi Home App in addition to Google’s Home app, the speaker can connect and control any device that can be operated with an infrared remote control. Xiaomi’s speaker can do this because it features 4 IR transmitters in a 360-degree array at the top of the speaker. The Xiaomi Smart Speaker IR Control can also connect via Bluetooth 5.0.
The NPD Take:
- Xiaomi’s solution for adding connectivity - utilizing IR transmitters - is a novel approach that could provide some users a value in specific instances. Products like air conditioning units and ceiling fans are not often connected to the internet, however, needs for controlling these devices exist.
- As consumers wait for Internet connectivity to come to more home appliances, work around such as this (or similar approaches using Bluetooth) could bring control to more non-connected products.