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Amazon Echo now lets you control lights and switches with your voice

Amazon Echo

Amazon blindsided many in November with the launch of a voice-activated speaker called the Amazon Echo. And today, the Internet giant revealed the next stage in the product’s evolution — it’s introducing support for WeMo and Philips Hue products, meaning you can activate lights and switches using nothing but your dulcet tones.

The Amazon Echo is still an invite-only gadget, which you can request access to through the main product page. The device costs $199.99, or $149.99 for Prime subscribers.

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The Amazon Echo very much leans on the growing Internet of Things concept of ubiquitous computing and smart homes, which means its efficacy ultimately relies on its compatibility with third-party products.

Indeed, to garner maximum value from such a product, you will also need to invest in additional hardware — in this case, WeMo and Hue. By way of example, the Belkin WeMo Switch costs $43, while other compatible WeMo products include Insight Switch, and Light Switch. In terms of Hue, the A19, Lux, BR30, Bloom, and LightStrip are also supported.

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Today’s news follows hot on the heels of the recent support for Pandora; traffic updates and route recommendations; and sports scores.

It’s all very interesting stuff, and hints at the future we’re heading towards — rather than flipping a switch to turn on your fan or coffeemaker, you just shout “Alexa, turn on the fan,” or “Alexa, turn on the coffee maker” instead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkOCeAtKHIc

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