Comcast has announced expansion of its home automation capabilities across its Xfinity suite of products. The enhanced product portfolio includes X1 (TV and voice remote), xFi (WiFi), Xfinity Home (home security), and Xfinity Mobile. The company aims to give access to smart home controls into the hands of more than 15 million Xfinity customers. It also will make the adoption of digital home technologies and innovative Internet of Things (IoT) experiences much more accessible to many more people by democratizing and simplifying home automation.
With the Stringify integration, Xfinity customers will create and utilize the rules and controls for a ecosystem of brands like August, Carrier, Chamberlain, ecobee, GE, Honeywell, Kwikset, Liftmaster, LIFX, Lutron, Nest, Netgear Arlo, Philips Hue, Danalock, Sengled, SkyBell, Tile, Yale, Zen Ecosystems and more. Just to share, if one uses their X1 voice remote to say, “Good Night,” it will automatically lock doors, turn off lights, adjust thermostats, and arm their home security system. Geo-location technology would notify the people at home when someone arrives at their doorstep by combining it with the xFi Wireless Gateway.
“Xfinity will be the home operating system that integrates every IoT device and transforms a connected home into an intelligent home,” said Chris Satchell, EVP and Chief Product Officer.
In parallel, Comcast has introduced ‘Works with Xfinity’ program, focusing on achieving smart homes for Xfinity customers. As per the program, Comcast will be able to add more devices to its smart home ecosystem. The new product categories will include such as: wearables, automotive, voice assistants, email, social media platforms, and more.
xFi Advanced Gateway can be controlled via a mobile app, website and on the TV with the X1 voice remote. Comcast had brought up xFi Pods which are mesh WiFi extenders. xFi Pods cost $119 for a three-pack and $199 for a six-pack. ‘Phone Finder’ enables Xfinity Mobile customers to search for and locate their mobile phone in their home using the X1 voice remote. To use this technology, customers have to say “Xfinity Mobile, find my phone” into their X1 voice remote, and the phone starts ringing. Read more…
