Comcast today at CES in Las Vegas announced it will integrate smart home automation capabilities across its entire Xfinity services product portfolio, including the operator’s X1 voice remote, WiFi gateway, home security platform, and mobile offering, to help simplify customers’ management and control of their connected devices.
More than 15 million Xfinity customers will be able to manage their smart home devices from “every screen” whether they are at home or on the go, at no additional cost, Comcast said.
The company said, for example, customers could say “Good night,” into their X1 voice remote to set off a host of automated tasks including lock doors, turn off lights, adjust thermostats, and activate their home security system. Or integrating smartphone geo-location tech with a connection to the home xFi Wireless Gateway could allow a parent to receive a notification when their child returned home from school, Comcast said.
“Xfinity will be the home operating system that integrates every IoT device and transforms a connected home into an intelligent home,” Chris Satchell, EVP and chief product officer, said in a statement. “Our engineers are working to enable our customers to easily control their connected devices, making full use of our Xfinity platforms, such as Voice Control, X1, xFi and Xfinity Home. We also will add value to that experience by giving customers contextual suggestions for automation that will help them take full advantage of their digital home, making it more useful, fun, and enjoyable.”
As part of its continuing efforts to integrate and simplify the smart home, Comcast pointed to its acquisition last September of tech startup Stringify, which provides cloud-based automation service more than 500 Internet of Things products and digital services. Stringify technology will be integrated into Xfinity products and services “soon,” Comcast said, and will enable customers to create and use “a huge number” of rules and controls for devices from brands like GE, Honeywell, Nest, Phillips Hue, Danalock, and Skybell, among others.
In addition, Comcast will launch its ‘Works with Xfinity’ program, which aims to help integrate a range of smart home devices into a unified Xfinity platform. The operator said it intends to expand its partners through the program to include new products, such as wearables, automotive, voice assistants, and social media platforms.