Instead of connecting skills, you can simply ask Echo Plus to discover your devices. On the other hand, Echo Plus, now on its 2nd Generation, includes a built-in Zigbee hub so that it can directly connect to certain smart home devices as well as a temperature sensor. Sure, colors are cool, and it sounds better, but it has all the same features as your current model. If you already own Echo Gen 1, we don’t think you should run out and buy Gen 2. It has a new and improved far-field microphone that should improve voice command accuracy.It has a better speaker including Dolby Digital support.It offers new shell fabrics and colors.The volume dial was removed and replaced by more buttons.And like Show and Spot, Fire TV Cube can access your security cameras and show live footage provided that your TV is on.Īlso works with Amcrest, Arlo, August Doorbell, EZVIZ, Logi Circle, Nest Cam, Ring, and TP-Link Kasa Camīuilt-in Smart Home Hub and a Temperature Sensorġ0″ Touchscreen, Video Calls, Camera Streaming, and Built-in Smart Home HubĢ.5″ Touchscreen + Camera, Video Calls, Camera StreamingĮcho Gen 2 launched with just enough changes to make it interesting. It’s a Fire TV box equipped with a speaker and an array of eight far-field microphones. The new Amazon Fire TV Cube is another interesting choice. Echo Show adds in the ability to stream live footage from your security camera to the device’s screen. Echo Dot offers all of Alexa’s features for a smaller price tag. If you don’t want a device, the full power of Alexa is also accessible through the Alexa app.įor home security, we recommend Echo Dot or Echo Show. But now you can access Alexa through Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Fire TV, Echo Look, Echo Show, Echo Spot, Echo Plus, and third-party devices. Initially, Alexa was accessible only through Amazon Echo. To get started, you will need to follow three simple steps:īefore you can get started you will need to select an Alexa-enabled device. In order to protect your home further, you will need to connect your Echo device to other devices and services. Integrating Alexa With Other Home Security Devicesīeyond the abilities mentioned above, there is little Alexa can do to provide home security. At this time, Hunches can only provide reminders for connected smart home devices such as plugs, lights, locks, and switches. Amazon suggests that you ask, “Alexa, Do you have any hunches?” Or you could simply say, “Good night” and she might remind you to turn off the lights. Alexa won’t make suggests without being asked, however. Alexa will learn your specific behaviors and remind you if you’ve forgotten to do something. If you want to privately trigger your security system’s panic mode, for example, you can now whisper to Alexa and she will whisper back.įinally, Amazon launched Alexa Hunches. Currently, Amazon is only supporting Alexa Guard on Echo Show, Spot, Plus, Input, Echo (current-gen only), and Dot (current-gen only).Īmazon is also launching “Whisper Mode.” While not directly related to home security, it ties in. CNET’s Ry Crist 1 was able to test the feature and found an important limitation. Though the service is live for some users, it’s not yet live for us. Finally, Alexa will tell your security system that you’re leaving.Īt launch, the service will integrate with security systems made by Ring and ADT and will be able to send an alert to your central monitoring center if it detects glass breaking, but we can neither confirm nor deny this. Guard Mode can also randomly rotate your Echo-connected lights on and off to make it look like you’re home. It can also let you know if it hears a smoke alarm. It allows you to arm your Alexa device by saying, “Alexa, I’m leaving.” This will put Alexa into “Guard Mode.” In Guard Mode, your Echo device will listen for the sound of breaking glass and send you a notification if it hears something. The Alexa Guard ability is live for some users. The ability most geared toward home security will turn Alexa into a glass break sensor. Some of the skills are ready now and some are coming soon, but they are all pretty fascinating. Since then, Amazon has announced new abilities aimed at home security. When we first purchased Echo, it lacked built-in security abilities, which meant that it relied on other devices and skills to protect our home. RELATED: BEST HOME SECURITY SYSTEM 2019 Using Alexa as a Standalone Security Device Opinions aside, we purchased Echo for one reason and one reason only: to answer the unavoidable question, “ Can it really improve our home’s security?” But now, as is typical with roommate situations, we find it slightly annoying but also slightly fun. We have been roomies with Amazon Echo for around three years.
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