Amazon Echo

One of the important development in the world of home automation was the launch of Amazon Echo in late 2014. Amazon Echo is a voice-enabled device that performs tasks just by recognizing your voice. The device responds to the name Alexa, a keyword that can be used to wake up the device and perform tasks. This keyword can be used followed by a command to perform specific tasks. Some basic commands that can be used to fulfill home automation tasks are:

• Alexa, play some Adele.
• Alexa, play playlist XYZ.
• Alexa, turn the bedroom lights on (Bluetooth enabled lights bulbs (for example Philips Hue) should be present in order to fulfill this command).
• Alexa, turn the heat up to 80 (a connected thermostat should be present to execute this command).
• Alexa, what is the weather?
• Alexa, what is my commute?
• Alexa, play audiobook a Game of Thrones.
• Alexa, Wikipedia Packt Publishing.
• Alexa, how many teaspoons are in one cup?
• Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.

With these voice commands, Alexa is fully operable:

Amazon Echo, Amazon Tap and Amazon Dot (from left to right)

Amazon Echo's main connectivity is through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It uses Internet network to run the commands. On the other hand, it uses Bluetooth to connect to other devices in the home. For example, the connectivity to Philips Hue and Thermostat is through Bluetooth.

In Google IO 2016, Google announced a smart home device that will use Google as a backbone to perform various tasks. The device will challenge the power of Alexa on the commercial level. This will be a significant step for Google in the smart home market.

Amazon also launched Amazon Dot and Amazon Tap. Amazon Dot is a smaller version of Echo which does not have speakers. External speakers can be connected to the Dot in order to get full access to Alexa. Amazon Tap is a more affordable, cheaper and wireless version of Amazon Echo.