The Rise of Voice Control
Voice control for the smart home skyrocketed after Amazon released its first-generation Echo smart speaker in 2014. Two years later, Google followed suit with its release of the Google Home smart speaker, as did Josh.ai with its (albeit higher-end) Josh Micro smart speaker. Of the biggest players in voice control, Apple trailed in last with its HomePod smart speaker in 2018.
Out of the gate, smart speakers could do a lot. Looking specifically at DIY smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, they could stream music, set alarms and reminders, answer trivial questions, and more. It didn’t take long for manufacturers to build solutions that would also enable these speakers to be used for sending voice commands to smart home devices.
Voice Control + Home Automation
Control4, a leader in home automation systems, noticed the rising popularity of using voice commands to control smart home devices and officially announced its integration with Amazon Alexa in 2016. Today, Control4 smart homes integrate with all the big players in voice assistant technology!
Something magical happens when you pair voice control with a home automation system like Control4. Not only can you control individual devices in your Park City, UT home, like a door lock or TV, but you can also control multiple devices at once using a single verbal command.
For example, when you get home from work, tell your smart speaker to activate your Evening scene. In seconds, the lights change, the shades lower, the temperature adjusts, and your favorite music plays overhead. Control4 paired with voice control lets you enjoy the power of automation—hands-free.
SEE ALSO: Be the Master of Your Smart Home Domain with Control4
A Complement to Other Control Methods
Controlling your home should always be simple, which is why voice is a must-have method of control for homeowners who want a fun, easy, and reliable way to adjust their devices and scenes.
However, sometimes voice control isn’t the best method for managing your smart home. For example, it may feel more natural to tap a wall keypad to illuminate a room upon arrival. You may prefer a touchscreen for controlling your music so you can see what’s up next or appreciate album artwork.
Smart home systems like Control4 offer several intuitive ways for controlling your technology through keypads, touchscreens, mobile apps, remotes, and automation. Voice control is just another control method designed to make your smart home experience the best it can be.
Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll dive deeper into the two biggest DIY voice control platforms from Amazon and Google. We’ll discuss their features and touch on where they miss the mark for those who desire a more robust and privacy-based voice control solution for their smart homes.
If you’re interested in adding voice control capability to your smart home, contact Show & Tell AV to learn more! You can reach us here or send us a message in the chat box below.