Alexa voice assistant. Voice assistant Alexa will learn to distinguish people's voices. Amazon Alexa Features

Any “advanced” smartphone user probably knows what a voice assistant is today. If you have more or less new Android- most often it’s enough to just say “Ok Google” (or click on the microphone next to the search bar). iOS users are most often familiar with Siri, which is easy to summon with a long press. Home buttons. But then, who is Alexa and what makes her different?

A little history

In November 2014, Amazon introduced the world to a new technological gadget - Amazon Echo. The gadget is a tall cone with a built-in fairly powerful and high-quality Bluetooth speaker and microphones. At that time it was the first device of this type, and almost no one understood its purpose. And it cost a lot - almost 200 dollars. ( For example, Stylus sells it here, but - editor's note).

Amazon Echo: the first smart speaker, supporting Alexa voice service

True, for especially loyal Amazon customers - members of the Prime program, it was available for a short time for 100 bucks. A year after its release, Amazon expanded its line of smart assistants by adding 2 more devices:

Essentially the same Echo, but designed for use with an external speaker connected via Bluetooth or an audio cable. Although a low-power speaker is also present in the device itself. The initial price of the device was about one hundred dollars, but six months later the second generation of the device was released for 50 dollars.

Amazon Dot: a stripped-down version of Echo, designed for connection to an external speaker

Amazon Tap: Also a stripped-down Amazon Echo speaker, in which they left a high-quality speaker, but removed, as for me, the most important “feature” of the device - microphones that are always ready to listen to your orders. In this column, to “call” the assistant, you need to press the button.

Amazon Tap: a simplified version of Echo, you only need to press a button to call the assistant

In addition to its own devices, Amazon has given other manufacturers the ability to "embed" their voice assistant into their devices - like the Invoxia Triby radio or even the LG Smart Instaview Fridge.

Well, at the end of 2016 Google entered this market with its smart speaker Google Home costing $129 dollars.

Competitor Google's Amazon Echo

Why do I need this and what can a voice assistant do?

Attention: Both services are not officially available in Ukraine, so you need to understand that neither of them yet speaks either Russian, or, especially, Ukrainian. Both services are designed by default for the US market (Amazon also serves the UK), so most of the services that require your geolocation will not be available. Also, many additional services are officially available only in the USA....

The main “feature” of these devices is that by default they always listen to you (not like some of your relatives!). Each of them has their own “magic word”: Alexa, Echo or Amazon to choose from for devices from Amazon or “Ok, Google” for Google Home, upon hearing which they are ready to carry out your orders. Let's look at what they can do “out of the box” (arranged in terms of usefulness for “our person”:

• Play music from online streaming services. So, Amazon Alexa can play music from Amazon Music, Amazon Music Unlimited and Spotify. Google Home - from Google Music and Spotify. Both can also play radio stations from TuneIn. Amazon also offers you access to the Audible service, which has many audiobooks available (for an additional fee), in English of course. For me now this is the main use of the assistant - even my three-year-old son has learned the key phrase “Alexa play Peppa Pig Song”. My wife often listens to American top charts, but I prefer old-school rock classics. We have a Spotify account connected, which contains almost any music, except that it’s not always possible to pronounce Russian band names - sometimes you have to launch it from your phone through the application (Aleksa, play OKEAN ELZY - understands it once out of five).
• Access to your Google calendar - both columns can read events from your calendar (if, of course, they are written in English). Interestingly, only Amazon Alexa can add events so far.
• Easy access to Wikipedia and search. Both services can answer simple questions like “What is gravitsap” or “What is 2+2?” At the same time, Alexa uses Bing for search, unlike Google Home.
• Clock (“Alexa, what time is it now in New York?”), timer, weather forecast.
• Each of the devices has a considerable list (Alexa is larger, Google is smaller) of smart home devices with which it can be connected. Thanks to this, you can easily turn on/off the lights in the house (if you have smart lamps from Phillips with the sweet name Hue), turn on the TV (if you have a Logitech Harmony smart remote control) and even make coffee (using the Behmor connected coffee maker).
• Each device has its own IFTTT channel which allows the advanced user to configure voice commands for yourself.
• For Amazon devices, more than 300 “external” add-ons (they call them Skills) from third-party manufacturers are already available, with the help of which the speaker will become even “smarter.” For example, you can ask a rabbi for advice, call an Uber, or play various voice games. You can also ask Alexa to find the desired recipe for you on the Internet. Google Home promised to introduce something similar at the beginning of 2017, but we’re still waiting.
• Google Home has one more feature - it can “interact” with others Google devices- Chromecast (both audio and video). Thanks to this, you can ask Google Home to show you the desired video on your TV (you need to know exactly what it is called) or a movie from Netflix.

So I don’t understand, do I need it?

I admit, so far in Ukraine such assistants are in most cases just a smart speaker that can play the music you ask it to. But even for this purpose you will have to “try” - using the same Spotify in Ukraine is not easy. ( We have a separate article on how to connect Spotify in our conditions - editor's note). Or it will help those who have many of the latest generation smart home devices by adding voice control to them. But, as soon as one of them adds support for the Russian language and services relevant to Ukraine, the possibilities for use will become many times greater. The voice interface on the Internet is really convenient, but for now you need to “adapt” too much to it.

Personal experience

As a true geek, I didn’t resist the temptation of ordering a voice assistant for myself for long. For 200 bucks I felt sorry for it, but when it started costing a hundred, I couldn’t resist. This is how Amazon Dot (first generation) settled in my house. And he has been living there for almost a year. To fully use it, I had to make several feints with my ears, namely:

• Pay for access to a special proxy server tunlr.com for a year ($10 per year). It very easily sets up a tunnel from your router to American resources, impersonating you as a respectable American.
• Buy premium family access to the coolest music service Spotify, which has all the music I’m interested in and supports Amazon Echo (unlike Google Music). I bought it for $30 on ebay, theoretically a “Filipino family” can be found cheaper.

I use Amazon Dot mainly to play music; both adults and children learned to order it at home. I tried to listen to audiobooks, but it’s still difficult to understand in English.

I continue to lick my lips at Google Home, but for now I’m waiting for it to speak Russian.

For those who want to know more

• How to use Spotify if you don't live in the US or Western Europe
• Ukrainian forced Google and Amazon assistants to endlessly ask each other questions (video)

In the first week of 2017, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos became $3.8 billion richer. The reason for this was not record sales of goods on Amazon (although the company is the leader in this indicator), but thanks to the Alexa voice assistant. It was first presented at CES 2017 in Los Angeles.

Although the Alexa virtual assistant has become popular only in the last two years, its development has been going on since 2010, and the prototype of the model being replicated today appeared in 2014. Jeff Bezos brought the Amazon Echo, a smart speaker, to the tech show this year.

The device was a black speaker (cylinder), inside of which was a built-in microphone and a voice recognition system. In order to activate the assistant, it was necessary to say “Alexa”, and then only with the help of voice commands you can shop in the Amazon online store, order food at home, listen to music and surf the Internet.

And although Bezos’ company was the first to introduce a device with a virtual assistant not on a smartphone, the overall idea was not new. Users were already aware Siri assistants from Apple and Assistant from Google. Amazon Echo price was $179. It is worth noting that the presentation and the technology itself left a mixed impression among users and critics. There were complaints about the assistant's poor response: the command was not carried out immediately, or was completely ignored.

New trend - home voice assistant

Over the past 4 years, the technology has undergone several changes, and its functionality has been expanded. Now modern system Alexa has 15 thousand skills. This is despite the fact that in mid-2016 the system supported only 1000 functions.

This figure allowed it to take a leading position in the virtual assistant market, despite all attempts by Google Home, Microsoft and Apple to catch up with Alexa. While competitors are working to improve technology, Amazon is already talking about Alexa as the main operating system for the Internet of Things.

How to control the Alexa virtual assistant and what it can do

To activate the device, you still only need to say the assistant's name. In order for the system to accurately execute a command, you must speak clearly.

If you implement it into the “smart home” system or at least buy a special adapter (for an outlet or lamp), then using voice commands you can control the lights, turn off the outlets, adjust the sound of the music, etc.

Canceling any command must begin with the words “Alexa, off” or similar phrases.

If you install special video cameras, “smart locks” on the doors and a fire protection system, then Alexa will also protect your home from uninvited guests and fire. When the owners of the house are absent, the system will notify them via smartphone about a doorbell or attempts to enter (if necessary, it will turn on the siren).

Today, the most popular Alexa skills are updating and voicing news (“flash briefing”), the owner selects the categories of interest independently. But this is only a small part of the functions, and judging by the development of AI, even more functions await us in the future.

Alexa doesn't just do things, she thinks.

The virtual assistant Alexa is capable of not only executing a command, but also analyzing it, trying to predict the desires and moods of the owner. You can simply talk to the Amazon assistant, find out about his favorite color, exchange jokes and ask him to remind him of an important event.

Manufacturers of transport and equipment could not miss the new product. Thus, Volkswagen and Ford have already expressed a desire to integrate the Alexa system into new car models, and Whirlpool has released a whole line of large household appliances that can be controlled by a virtual assistant.

In addition, the developers plan to teach Alexa how to cook. This means that users will be able to get not only a companion in the kitchen, but also an assistant who can at least warm up food (if ovens and microwaves with Alexa support appear).

It is quite difficult to predict how developed AI systems similar to Alexa will be. This is explained by the endless possibilities that go beyond today’s understanding of the functionality of technology. However, it is safe to say that the voice assistant Alexa and its competitors will definitely be in demand in the future, and will move from the category of “fashionable gadget” into an urgent need. The secret of success is the incredible simplicity and naturalness of use, so “addiction” arises literally the first time.

Now and others. Alexa was created in Lab126. She can listen to your voice commands and respond to them with messages when the task is completed.

Alexa is ready to help you listen to music on Spotify, create a to-do list, and control items in your home, like Hue lights or a Google thermostat. Alexa was initially popularized when working with the Amazon Echo speaker, which functions not only as a speaker, but also as a hub for smart home devices. Today it can work on many other devices. This virtual assistant is constantly being developed and updated. Of course, she may have some problems recognizing commands, like any other similar assistant. But thanks to the connection with Amazon, it is automatically updated.

And machine learning technology makes it more and more useful for the owner as it works.

What devices does Amazon Alexa work on? Amazon now allows you to install Alexa not only on the Echo hub, but also on other hubs. Third-party developers are also adding Alexa support to their smart home devices. Integration virtual assistant

• This is also possible for some smartwatches. Amazon Alexa support has already been received by:
• Fire TV.
• SmartThingQ.
• Pebble Core.
• Nucleus Anywhere.
• CoWatch.

Many other hubs and devices. The Alexa virtual assistant can be controlled using a central . You can download it from the AppStore, Google Play or directly from the Amazon Appstore. The application allows you to set tasks for the virtual assistant and customize the system completely for yourself. The application also allows you to expand the capabilities of Alexa by adding new Skills to it. Alexa Skills are additional extensions directly from Amazon or third-party developers.

Managing these extensions through the virtual assistant app is very easy. There are currently more than 3,000 different Skills available.

What Amazon Alexa can do

• Make a to-do list for the day or the whole week ahead using Google Calendar.
• Combine control of smart home devices and assign Alexa tasks related to them.
• Access music streaming services and listen to your favorite music.
• Get access to other entertainment services from third-party developers using Skills extensions.
• Using different Skills, check the results of sporting events, call a taxi through Lyft, or create an original cocktail using The Bartender extension.

The main capabilities of a virtual assistant are limited to a fairly standard set: managing the Internet of Things of your smart home, launching streaming services, searching for information on the Internet and working with some Google services. But thanks to the Skills extensions, you will be able to experience absolutely all the capabilities of the system and fully appreciate its advantages. You can improve and “get to know better” your Alexa almost endlessly. True, so far only in English.

Since Amazon first introduced its voice assistant in 2014,
Amazon has confidently become the most popular mention in the smart home section. And unexpectedly, almost every IT company decided to integrate its product with Amazon’s virtual voice assistant, Alexa.

This kind of integration is constantly continuing at an accelerated pace and sometimes it is very difficult to even imagine which product will support Alexa. Amazon's website tries to show the top most popular Alexa-enabled products, but information about all Alexa-enabled products is not very well structured.
What's also understandably often glossed over is the fact that you don't even need to own an Echo device to work with these devices and take full advantage of the Alexa ecosystem.

Thus, not only does Amazon build Alexa into its new devices (Echo Plus, Echo Spot and Fire HD 10 tablet), but the company also allows third-party manufacturers to build Alexa support into their products, for example, Ford began to build Amazon's voice assistant into its new car models.

In order to understand what Alexa has achieved, we decided to make a detailed guide.
Below is a list of products that in one way or another use the capabilities of Amazon's voice assistant.

Devices with Alexa
Smart home hubs
Light control devices
Switches, dimmers, sockets
Locks, cameras, security
Heating and cooling devices
Cars
Services
Miscellaneous

Devices with Alexa

Although Alexa Echo remains a flagship, it is no longer alone. New versions are constantly appearing, as well as devices from third-party manufacturers.

So, a little overview:

Amazon Echo (2nd Gen.)

Announced on September 27, 2017, the second generation Echo has the same capabilities but is smaller and more convenient.

Essentially, this is a Bluetooth speaker with sensitive microphones and the Always On function. It can control smart home devices, play music from your phone, Amazon Prime or Spotify, and order groceries from Amazon, all with voice commands.

With the Alexa app you can customize the virtual assistant the way you like, and with hundreds of skills we can do almost everything - from getting an accurate weather forecast to playing all sorts of obscene sounds.

The price of such a device starts at $99, which is almost half the price and is smaller in size than the first generation Echo and has a fabric-covered body. The coating of the device body can be selected from several options, thereby choosing the most suitable one for each room.

Also, the second generation Echo claims better sound reproduction thanks to the Dolby system, which was introduced last summer - the so-called. multi-room audio system.

This makes it possible for Echo to compete with other similar systems for audio playback, in particular such as Sonos.

The second generation Echo is available for pre-order for $99, with sales starting on October 31, 2017.

Amazon Echo Plus

Amazon Echo Plus looks like an upgrade from the flagship Echo. The same design, but a new color has appeared - silver. Among the new features, Echo Plus can work as a hub for a smart home.

Just ask Alexa about the installed devices in your home and she will manage them.
A pre-order gift includes a Hue smart lamp from Phillips.

Amazon Echo Show

One of the newest additions to the Echo family is Show. A touchscreen, camera and smart speaker have been added, allowing you to make video calls, view video cameras, watch Amazon Prime Video, of course, buy things from Amazon and much more.

Price - $229.99

Amazon Echo Connect

Echo Connect is a $35 device that turns any Alexa-compatible device into a corded phone.

Allows you to connect your home phone to Alexa and gives you the ability to make and receive calls through your smart speaker.

Amazon Echo Spot

Echo Spot is a hybrid of Echo Show and Dot, priced at $129.99. Pre-order, sales will begin on December 19, 2017.

Echo Spot allows you to make video calls to other Alexa Show and Spot owners, view weather forecasts, alarms, timers, etc...

A small device that can be placed in any room, it has built-in Bluetooth, an internal speaker and an audio output for connecting to an amplifier.

Amazon Echo Dot

Take the Echo, cut off the top and you get an Echo Dot. Dot got rid of the high-quality speaker to lower the price, but remained just as smart.

The small built-in speaker will allow you to communicate with Alexa, but is not sufficient for high-quality playback of streaming audio.

Instead, you can connect an external amplifier either via Bluetooth or via a wired audio output.

The Dot sells separately for $49, but Amazon offers discounts when you buy multiples or when you buy it with a Bose audio system or other smart home devices.

Amazon Tap

Amazon Tap has taken the core functionality of Echo and packaged it into a portable Bluetooth speaker. Because It runs on batteries, Amazon Tap doesn't always listen for a keyword like Echo or Echo Dot. You need to press the microphone button to say the command. However, the new update will allow you to work in hands-free mode for about an hour.

Although the Tap is portable, it requires a Wi-Fi connection (there's no 3G or LTE option), so if you're outdoors, you'll need to use your smartphone as a hotspot.

Price $129.99

Amazon Echo Look

A recent addition to the Echo family, the Echo Look is a camera with built-in Alexa that lets an assistant act as your stylist.

You can take photos and videos of your appearance and using machine learning Alexa will advise you on how to look better and, of course, recommend buying new clothes.
The Echo Look isn't widely available yet, but you can order it from Amazon for $199.99.

Amazon Fire TV

New Fire TV, available October 25, 2017, pre-order for $69.99, compatible with
4K ultra HD and HDR TVs and 40% more powerful than Fire TV Stick.

The device does not have all the Alexa functions of the Echo, but it can be used to control your smart home and use Alexa Skills. You can control CBS, NBC, Hulu and Netflix apps with your voice. The main difference is in the controls - you need a TV and can talk to Alexa through the Fire TV Remote path. There is no always-on listening feature, but this can be a plus when you want to maintain privacy.

Fire TV Stick with Voice Remote also supports Alexa using the same interface remote control. The same functionality as on Fire TV and at the same time the opportunity to buy a virtual assistant for only $50

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

Amazon's popular $80 tablet now comes with Alexa support. You can watch streaming TV and movies, use thousands of applications, read books in Kindle format and much more. It's very convenient to use Alexa to find the app you want or the TV show you want to watch, especially when your hands are full.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet

The new Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is an improved version of the popular Fire HD 8. In addition to a 10-inch screen and higher resolution (1080p), this tablet also has Alexa built-in. The price starts at $150 for the 32GB model, there are 3 colors - black, red and blue.

Amazon Applications

Want to use Alexa anywhere, not just at home? Thanks to a recent update to Amazon's iPhone app, the popular shopping app now has a virtual assistant. It doesn't support all the Alexa features that Echo does, but it will allow you to use Alexa to search for products on Amazon, for example.

Unfortunately, nothing is said about when the Android version of the application will be released.

Alexa Gadgets

Amazon has announced a whole line of Alexa-enabled gadgets designed specifically to work with Echo devices.

So far we only know about the $20 Echo Button, which is used for playing games with friends, such as trivia.

The start of sales is not yet known.

Huawei Mate 9

When Huawei first announced that the Mate 9 would be the first smartphone with Alexa built-in, it caused quite a stir.

The phone runs Android, but instead of using Google Assistant, the company has moved away from Google in favor of Amazon's virtual assistant.

The price is $464, it claims 2 days of operation on a single charge and a Leica camera (64GB).

Smart thermostat Ecobee4

If you decide to use Alexa everywhere in your home, then the Ecobee4 smart thermostat is a must-have. If you replace all the thermostats in your home with an Ecobee4, you'll not only get a smart thermostat, but you'll also have constant access to Alexa thanks to the thermostat's built-in microphone and speaker. Available for pre-order at a price of $249, sales start on May 15, 2018.

Ecobee smart switch

Ecobee Smart Light Switch is the first switch that will allow you to use Alexa in every room. It also has light sensors, but that's all we know. More detailed information about the price will apparently be available in the company's next release.

Invoxia Triby

If you want to make your refrigerator smarter without spending thousands of dollars, check out the Invoxia Triby. This is the first device from a third-party developer to offer Alexa integration. It has a built-in speaker for playing music, a screen and the ability to make phone calls.

Price - 120$

Ford Sync

Ford vehicles with the latest version of Ford Sync will receive Alexa integration, including both core Echo functionality and dedicated in-car assistant functionality.
This integration won the CES Editors' Choice Awards last year.

BMW and MINI

Ford's status as the only company to offer Alexa functionality in the car is coming to an end.

BMW and MINI will release cars with built-in Alexa in the on-board computer in mid-2018.

You can ask Alexa for the nearest gas stations, weather forecast, scroll through music tracks and much more without taking your attention from the road.

Plus, if you have other smart home devices, you can access them while you're on the go. Now you won't forget to close your garage door or front door.

Smart Home Hubs

Although Alexa can control a large number of smart home devices, many smart home integrations require the use of a hub as a connecting device. Uncomfortable? Yes. But since Alexa-enabled devices require wireless connectivity to communicate directly with each other, this kind of interaction is necessary so that we can do this more efficiently in the foreseeable future.

Samsung SmartThings Hub

SmartThings from Samsung is one of the most advanced smart home systems on the market.
Integration with Alexa allows you to control almost all SmartThings compatible devices, which can be turned on and off.

Also included in the list of compatible devices are smart lamps, fans, sockets and switches, locks and thermostats.

Wink Hubs

Wink is perhaps SmartThings' main competitor, although it has fewer supported devices. Using the Wink hub, Alexa gains access to control smart lamps, switches and sockets, and thermostats. The company offers second-generation hubs for $99 and first-generation hubs for $69 - the main difference is that the second generation has Bluetooth and a more powerful processor.

Insteon Hub

Insteon may not be as well known as SmartThings and Wink, but support for older smart home ecosystems remains a very interesting option. Alexa can control devices using the Insteon hub. It won't work with all hubs, but with the Insteon Hub model (2245-222), you can control outlets, switches, and wired thermostats.

Alarm.com Hub

At CES 2016, the company announced integration with Amazon Echo, which allows you to control devices to control lights and thermostats. You can also control the security system with your voice.

Vivint Hub

Vivint is a system installed by authorized representatives and also announced integration with Alexa at CES 2016. Here Alexa can be used to enable smart home security, control lamps, thermostats, garage doors and even smart locks.

Even though Vivint is a dealer-installed system, it is considered the best voice-activated smart home system, although competition in this segment is growing rapidly.

Nexia Home Intelligence Bridge

Nexia is not yet a very well-known brand, but it can work with a large number of Z-Wave compatible smart home devices. Like Alarm.com and Vivint, Nexia announced integration with Alexa, but has not yet provided the general public with detailed information about which devices will be compatible with Alexa.

Universal Devices ISY Hubs

You may never have heard of Universal Devices, but home automation geeks know the company for its Insteon compatible ISY hubs (“izzy”). The company offers 2 hubs - ISY-994i Series and ISY-994iZw Series. Both are compatible with Insteon, but Z-Wave support is also added. You can separately enable integration with Alexa and you can control lights, door locks, thermostats, etc.

HomeSeer Home Controllers

HomeSeer offers 6 different smart home controllers (hubs), the functionality of which is more suitable for geeks than for the average user. With Alexa integration, HomeSeer allows you to control lights, locks, thermostats, garage doors and security systems with your voice.

Simple Control Simple Hub

Simple Control initially focused on controlling audio/video devices and home theater systems, but the company's powerful controller allows you to control many other devices, including SmartThings systems from Samsung and Insteon.

This system is quite complex and expensive, but it allows you to make a lot of custom settings. Alexa, paired with such a system, can control TVs and even change channels.

Almond Smart Home WiFi Routers

Instead of buying a separate hub and a separate Wi-Fi router, Securifi's Almond company combined these devices in one piece of hardware. Two routers from the Almond line - Almond+ and Almond 2015 can also work with Alexa and Echo. With this integration, you can activate various scenarios and operating modes of the controller (Dinner scene, Evening scene, etc.)

Smart lighting

Light control was the very first operating mode in smart home What Alexa began to do and today's huge number of smart lamps (and switches, dimmers and outlets) that can work with Echo clearly show how far Alexa has come.
Most of these devices are smart lamps, which, on the one hand, are quite complex devices, and on the other hand, are quite easily configured by ordinary users, which allows them to immediately experience what a smart home is.

Philips Hue White Starter Kit

Philips makes the best smart bulbs for the money, which is why they're our favorites. The lamps also work with Siri and can work with Alexa, giving additional options and choices for voice control. The set for $69 includes 2 lamps, but you can also purchase them separately.

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit

A very good set and here's why - not only do they have good characteristics, but they can also work in third-party ecosystems. Just like a regular set, it can work with Siri and Alexa out of the box.

Philips Hue Go (via Hue Bridge)

Philips Hue Go is a rechargeable color light with 300 lumens of light and up to 3 hours of runtime. Requires Philips Hue Bridge (included in the kit above) and can be controlled by a dedicated app or Alexa.

Philips Friends of Hue Lightstrip (requires Hue Bridge)

Another device from the Hue line, Lightstrip is a luminous multi-color strip that can be cut. You also need Hue Bridge to work with Alexa.

LIFX Smart Bulbs and Light Strip

LIFX has a small line of products - LIFX 19 - multi-color lamps, LIFX+A19 - multi-color lamps with infrared radiation for night vision cameras and LIFX Z - luminous strip. A great alternative to Philips Hue, because these lamps are controlled directly via Wi-Fi and do not require a hub. And since they work via Wi-Fi, they easily integrate with Alexa.

TP-Link WiFi Smart Bulbs

When you hear the name TP-Link, you probably think about Wi-Fi routers, but the company also produces very interesting devices for the smart home, including 4 types of different smart lamps that work with Alexa. The lamps also don't require a hub, making them affordable ($18).

Cree Connected LED (requires SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)

Cree Connected LED lamps one of the most attractive in terms of price and functionality. Prices rival Philips Hue White bulbs and can work with almost any smart home hub. This makes them the best option in the long run if you decide to use Cree Connected LED to build your own smart home ecosystem. With hubs from SmartThings or Wink hub, you can control these lights using Alexa. The line includes lamps with a temperature of 5000K.

Price - from $15.

GE Link Bulb (works with Wink Hub)

GE Link lamps try to compete with Cree Connected LED on price, functionality and color temperature, but fall short in other characteristics. They can also work with Alexa through the hub from Wink.

Osram Lightify Smart Bulb (requires SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)

The Lightify line of lamps from Osram cannot change color, but they allow you to change the color temperature within slightly smaller limits than LIFX White 800. They work with Alexa through a hub from SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub.

TCP Connected Smart Bulbs (requires SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)

TCP Connected lamps are not the best The best decision. They require their own controller and are underwhelming with their specs. But they can also work with Alexa through a hub from SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub.

Switches, dimmers and sockets

In a way, this is an addition to light control, but here you can control smart switches, sockets and plugs. From ceiling fans to garbage disposers, there are many things you can make smart with the help of an outlet or switch. And of course, if you use the devices described below, we can control them using Alexa.

Belkin WeMo Light Switch

If you just want to turn something on and off and want it to work with Alexa, then Belkin WeMo Light Switch the best choice. Unlike competitors, this switch works directly with Wi-Fi, which means you can control it through Alexa without a hub.

Belkin WeMo Switch

The name WeMo Switch is a little misleading - it's a smart plug, not a switch. It is called a switch only because it can be turned on/off using a button on the case or using an application. Also works with Wi-Fi, and integrates easily with Alexa.

Belkin WeMo Insight Switch

Insight Switch - the same functionality as WeMo Switch, but added the ability to monitor the energy use of any device connected through this outlet. A trendy feature for only $10 compared to WeMo Switch, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be asking Alexa how much energy your coffee machine has used in a month.

iHome Smart Plug (via Wink Hub)

Just like Belkin's Wemo switches, the iHome Smart Plug allows you to turn on/off lights or various devices. Works with Apple HomeKit (Siri support), Nest and Wink. Although it works directly with Wi-Fi, it only works with Alexa through the Wink hub.

Samsung SmartThings Outlet (via SmartThings Hub)

SmartThings produced this socket long before Samsung acquired this startup and continues to produce it to this day. It works over the ZigBee protocol instead of Wi-Fi, which means you'll need a SmartThings hub if you want to control the outlet using Alexa.

D-Link WiFi Smart Plugs

Just like TP-Link, D-Link offers 2 types smart sockets, working with Alexa -
regular DSP-W110 smart plug and with power consumption monitoring function - DSP-W215 smart plug.

Insteon Switches, Dimmers, and Outlets (via Insteon Hub)

Insteon, unlike other manufacturers of smart home systems, independently produces dimmers, switches and sockets. Thanks to Echo integration, all devices can work with Alexa.

GE Z-Wave Switches, Dimmers, and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub)

General Electric may be a device manufacturer, but the company sells a large number of smart switches, dimmers, and outlets. Amazon doesn't mention that these devices work with Alexa, but since they are all compatible with the SmartThings controller, that means they should work with Alexa as well.

Leviton Switches, Dimmers, and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub or Wink Hub)

Like General Electric, Leviton makes smart switches, dimmers and outlets that can be controlled by Alexa through hubs from SmartThings or Wink.

Lutron Caséta Wireless Switches, Dimmers, and Remotes

Lutron is arguably the largest brand that makes switches and dimmers. The company uses its proprietary wireless protocol called Lutron ClearConnect, which means these devices can only work with Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge or Wink controllers.

If you decide to purchase Lutron products, you can only link a Wink hub with HomeKit support through a smart bridge, so it depends on whether you want to work with the Apple or Wink ecosystem. But you won't have any problems integrating Alexa via Wink or Lutron bridge.

Enerwave Switches, Dimmers and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub)

Enerwave is not as well known as Lutron, GE or Leviton, but the company's Z-Wave devices work with the SmartThings hub. Thus, the entire line should also work with Alexa.

Evolve Switches, Dimmers and Outlets (via SmartThings Hub)

Like Enerwave, Evolve is not very well known, but the company's entire line works with SmartThings, which automatically means all devices can work with Alexa.

Locks, cameras and security systems

Surely the security of your front door is not criticized unless you are lazy, but know that locks are becoming smart too. Almost all the major lock companies - plus a few startups - have already started making them.

Smart locks can not only recognize that you are nearby (using a smartphone) and open the doors. They also allow you to temporarily grant access to your home to whoever you want.

August Smart Lock (second generation)

The second generation of August Smart Locks integrated with Alexa in a rather unusual way. This is the only lock you can lock using Alexa (unlocking is available on all Alexa-compatible locks) - you need to give a specific pincode. You can also ask Alexa whether the door is open or not if you are outside the house.

Scout Alarm

Scout Alarm is a very simple security system that works with Alexa. The company offers a wide range of commands for interacting with Alexa, including the ability to arm/disarm and call for help.

Netgear Arlo Security Cameras

With Echo Show, you can see live feeds from security cameras. Netgear is one of the first manufacturers to offer this integration and our tests have shown that the Netgear Arlo Pro is one of the best video surveillance systems.

Ring - doorbell with camera

Like the Netgear Arlo camera, feeds from the doorbell and other cameras can be viewed on the Echo Show.

Climate control

Amazon recently expanded Alexa's capabilities to include thermostat controls. Thanks to the Alexa Skills Kit, you can now control the temperature in your home and also use some third-party climate control devices for this purpose.

Nest Learning Thermostat

Until recently, this was, without a doubt, the most requested Alexa integration, judging by the sheer number of different integrations available through IFTTT. And for the past few years, you've only been able to control your thermostat through IFTTT or the Wink hub, but now Nest works directly with Alexa.

Honeywell Lyric Thermostat (via SmartThings Hub)

Nobody wants startups to beat them, so longtime thermostat maker Honeywell created its own, similar to the Nest, and called it the Honeywell Lyric Thermostat. The latest version works with Apple HomeKit and with Alexa, thanks to integration with SmartThings.

Honeywell Total Connect Comfort Thermostats (via SmartThings Hub)

Not as cute as its Lyric thermostat sibling, the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort has more functionality, but its main focus is on scheduling. Thanks to official integration with SmartThings, it can also be controlled by Alexa.

Ecobee3 was the first thermostat to work directly with Alexa, without a hub. It's also the first thermostat to support Apple HomeKit.

Sensi WiFi Programmable Thermostat

Sensi is a lesser-known smart thermostat from Emerson, the second thermostat to work directly with Alexa. It doesn't have an unusual design or a fancy color display, but it does have scheduled operation, a direct Internet connection, and an attractive price.

Ceiling fans Haiku Home

In April 2018, Alexa will be working with Haiku Home ceiling fans, which allow you to control the light and fan speed. All Haiku fans from SenseMe technology, including the H, I and L series will work with Alexa.

Keen Home Smart Vents (via SmartThings Hub)

If you're having trouble regulating the climate in different rooms of your home, Keen Home Smart Vents offer a great solution. They can integrate your thermostat through Nest, SmartThings, and Lowes' Iris to distribute airflow to different rooms without making it too cold or hot. And since it works through the SmartThings hub, you can control the system from Alexa, too.

Cars

Echo and Alexa have taken over homes pretty quickly, and with new integrations like Ford Sync, they've also suddenly appeared in cars and garages. There aren't many compatible devices on the market yet, but it's only a matter of time.

Automatic

Automatic is a small device that connects to the diagnostic port and collects various data - such as fuel level, fault codes and much more - and sends them to your smartphone via Bluetooth.

With Alexa integration, you can ask how much gas you have left, where you last parked, and how long you drove in a certain period of time.

Garageio

Garageio is a small Wi-Fi enabled device that you can place on your garage doors and remotely open and close them (you can control up to 3 different gates) from your phone.
With Echo and similar devices, you can do this with your voice, through Alexa.

Various services

In addition to various devices, which you can manage through Alexa, there are many services that you can work with.

You can order Domino's pizza, call an Uber, check your bank account with Capital One and more.

IFTTT (an acronym for If This, Then That) is perhaps the most sophisticated service you can connect to Echo. It's an almost infinitely flexible middle man that helps connect Alexa to thousands of other devices and services that don't have official Alexa integration.

With Spotify and Echo integration, you can listen to and control tracks with your voice.

Capital One Bank

The first banking service integrated with Alexa, Capital One Bank lets you make ongoing payments, check your balance, and listen to your transactions.

With Alexa integration, you can call Uber using your voice. You can also find out how far the nearest car is from you and even cancel your trip.

Google Calendar

Amazon and Google don't always get along, but since Alexa is declared open, Amazon has added support for Google Calendar. This allows you to check your calendar using Alexa and add new events.

Domino's

The fast pizza delivery chain is always introducing new technologies, from pizza delivery tracking to ordering pizza using emojis. With Alexa integration, you can order using just your voice.

USA TODAY Network

Our colleagues at USA TODAY are always looking for new ways to deliver their news, and now they're using Alexa. USA TODAY offers a skill where you have to select news from a specific section, as well as Flash Briefing from 7 different podcasts.

1-800-Flowers.com

Do you need to urgently order flowers delivery? With the new integration, Alexa takes care of that. Just say what you want to order and she will organize everything.

Popular travel search engine Kayak is the first site to integrate with Alexa, and it adds some interesting features to the assistant's repertoire. You can track departures, find out flight schedules, find out information about hotels and car rentals, and even find travel within a specific budget.

HomeAdvisor

Just like Angie's List and Pro.com, HomeAdvisor will help you find a plumber, electrician, and so on. Recently, the service announced integration with Alexa, which will allow you to select the right service and make a call to a specialist.

Perhaps one of Alex's coolest integrations, KidsMD is a skill created by Boston Children's Hospital. Allows you to describe the symptoms of your child's illness and find out whether you need to call a doctor and also find out the exact dose of a particular medicine based on the child's age and weight. Of course. , you should not use this skill as a replacement for a doctor, but this service can help if a child has a cold or even if something more serious has happened.

OurGroceries

A popular shopping app, OurGroceries allows you to add groceries to your listing through Alexa. If you notice that you've run out of milk, just tell Alexa about it and then the application will remind you about it when you're in the store.

Because Echo has a built-in speaker, integration with music service there must definitely be. With Pandora, Alexa can play your favorite internet radio stations.

IheartRadio

Want to listen to your favorite local radio stations on Echo? All you need to do is activate the iHeartRadio integration.

TuneIn is similar to iHeartRadio, allowing you to listen to stations from all over the country (from all over the world - translator's note). The difference is that TuneIn also offers news, sports and talk radio. This means you can listen to CNN, NPR, ESPN Radio and more.

Amazon Prime Music

If you have an Amazon Prime account, Prime Music gives you free access to thousands of old songs. And since this is an Amazon product, it makes sense to use a virtual assistant.

Miscellaneous

There are several products that can work with Alexa, but that don't fit into any of the above categories. The more products we have with integration, the faster we can break them down into specific categories.

Want Alexa to help you stay healthy? With Fitbit integration, you can ask the virtual assistant how many steps you've walked, how many calories you've burned, how long you've slept, and more. Do you think it’s easier to press a button on the bracelet or look in the app? No, it won't be that cool.

The first irrigation system to integrate with Alexa, Rachio allows the assistant to control the watering of different zones and control the weather, not turning on watering if it suddenly rains.

GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub

The GreenIQ Smart Garden Hub is another irrigation controller, but it also integrates plant growth sensors and a weather station to give you better control of your garden. With Alexa integration, you can turn irrigation on/off, control street lighting, and get information about water consumption.

Ooma Telo

In perhaps one of the most innovative Alexa integrations, you can make calls through Ooma Telo, an IP telephony system. You may laugh at the idea of ​​using home phone, but Telo is not really a home phone. It uses an internet connection and offers free domestic calls, which makes this offer quite attractive if you want to continue using your home phone.

Called Alexa. We publish an abridged translation of her essay.

I first met Alexa at my friends' vacation home in New England. Alexa is an artificial intelligence with a mechanical voice that lives inside a small audio device, the Amazon Echo. “It’s 23 degrees outside right now,” Alexa said and added that no precipitation is expected today. Our meeting took place a year ago; before that I had never seen such a talking device. When I decided to tease my friend about his addiction to gadgets, he showed me what else Alexa can do: tell the weather, make a shopping list, order items from Amazon. Alexa is smart, just like my friends' house. She knows how to play music and helps with housework - like a little butler.

In the spring, I decided to try for myself what Alexa is and install it for my cozy, but far from smart home. In theory, Alexa can turn on the lights at your request, as well as open or close the garage door and turn on the heating. I live in a pre-war house without an elevator. The switch is usually always at hand. I don't have a garage. And I control the temperature in the apartment using an old battery, an open window and letters to the building management - all these things are incompatible with Alexa. Alas, the brain of my house is me.

I'm usually resistant to new technologies, considering them to be some kind of excess (which is why my attempt to build a future with Alexa took place in a room decorated with modest bookshelves and various stands). Whenever I get a new thing, I always like it - for example, I now constantly talk to the Notes app on my . But this time I was a little wary of Amazon. This is another thing - it can be a source, a savior, a weasel and a brute with delusions of grandeur. I'm nervous about all those buttons to order the product I want, especially when Amazon delivers items on Sundays (on weekends, I always hear the mailboxes near my house beeping: something's arrived from Amazon!). I decided that I wanted to chat with Alexa about music and discuss news, but under no circumstances order anything. So I went to Amazon and ordered an Echo.

Our communication started a little awkwardly: sometimes you forget why you wanted to communicate with the talking speaker in the first place. I asked Alexa to play something from the Velvet Underground. “I choose songs from the Velvet Under-ground repertoire,” she replied. The sound of a live concert could be heard. Oh oh. “I hope this is a recording of the Kansas show,” I grumbled. This is what she turned out to be. When your player randomly plays the right song, you feel an unusual feeling of a sign from above. At that moment, I felt in the same way that this talking speaker was destined to be in my home.

Amazon is trying to help create a pleasant atmosphere in the home, so it sends its customers tips on how to better communicate with Alexa - just like an annoying parent. For example, “ask Alexa to tell you an Independence Day joke or some interesting fact.” I asked her twice for the latter, and she gave me: “Octopuses have three hearts,” and then “jellyfish make up 40% of the biomass that inhabits the oceans.” Well, thank you, robot friend!

Just like when talking to a living person, the safest thing to do is talk about the weather. Ask about it and Alexa will tell you about it. She does an excellent job of setting various timers. If you say “Good morning, Alexa!”, she might say something interesting, such as that today is International Literacy Day, Geek Day, or that Harry Truman made his first presidential speech on television in 1947 (“ And I’m glad to contact you,” Alexa added embarrassedly).

Image: Andy Rementer

But with news it’s more complicated. Alexa offers to listen to “brief news” - a summary of information that the media is experimenting with, and often inserts into it news about some kind of SIM cards for the ears.

When you live with Alexa, the main thing is to learn what she's good at. She's bad at acting like a person. You ask her: “Alexa, what should I have for dinner?” And she will start telling you about vegetables and pizza (in her opinion, this should be fun). And if you ask to tell a joke, you will greatly regret it later.

One day I wanted to hear a joke about the Olympics. “Why did the geologist come to the Olympics?” asked Alexa.

If you ask “Why?”, as you would in a conversation with a real person, the robot will tell the second half of the joke: “He thought he could get gold.”

. “Za-a-alato” - that’s exactly how she pronounced the last word. In short, it didn't work out very well.

In one of the emails, Amazon advised asking Alexa to sing “Happy Birthday to You” (Wow, Alexa can sing!). At that moment, the song Naked If I Want To by Cat Power was playing. Instead of turning it off, Alexa sang “Happy Birthday to You” right in the background. It sounded very gloomy. Just perfect for a solo celebration with a toque and a cupcake.

But Alexa still plays music perfectly. Want to listen to John Philip Sousa, Scratch Acid or Loretta Lynn? Ask Alexa to play their music and see what song it chooses for you. She's usually good at recognizing artist names, but when I named the band Frøkedal, she turned on Band of Skulls. You can select a specific song or album: West Side Story, Monster Mash, Revolver. If you tell Alexa to play a Beatles album, she won't choose Drive My Car or Hey Jude, but will play something of her choice from the White Album. And if you ask to play any song from the Beatles, you will hear Why Don’t We Do It in the Road? According to Alexa, The Beatles album is the most Beatlesque of all. Perhaps she's right.

“Sorry, I didn’t understand your question.” Still from the TV series Mr. Robot.

Voice control, as opposed to pointing at a screen, helps you connect with your personality. And that's just great. One weekend I said out loud that I wanted to listen to the Grateful Dead (even though I've never liked that band) - and Alexa turned on that one song, which I thought about. I ended up listening to the Grateful Dead all morning. Their music was reminiscent of the 70s country rock I heard a lot as a kid. And I liked it.

I have a whole bunch of playlists on Spotify created for different moods. I made a special playlist that plays when I come home - this is how I drive away bad memories of breaking into an apartment. When I'm going to town, I ask Alexa to play the "Going to Town" playlist, and the music puts me in the right mood. Gordon McRae plays in the morning, Wham! and the Kinks. Before going to bed, I leave the lights dim and ask them to turn on the playlist " Good night", and the apartment is filled with pleasant Beatles music.

But there are also unpleasant situations when the wrong song comes on that you want to hear. When you give commands out loud, it's easy to lose control. In July I had one of my summer playlists on Spotify, a nice mix of Yo La Tengo, Grandmaster Flash, Mungo Jerry and so on. And I was furious when Alexa started playing one of Spotify's standard summer music selections. I understand that it was just a mistake, but nevertheless, I just got mad.

At that moment I felt victimized. To calm myself down, I asked Alexa to play a list called “Just Breathe” from Amazon Prime. Now, I thought, nothing bad would happen. Suddenly my apartment was filled with wailing New Age sounds that would be best suited for lying in a morgue or a hospital room.

By the end of September, Alexa and I were starting to get along. I realized that she had no sense of humor and stopped asking her to tell a joke. I learned that if I say “Alexa, good morning” or “Alexa, good afternoon,” she can respond pleasantly to me. She told me interesting facts about jellyfish and whether it would rain today. We both loved The White Album. Then one morning something unusual happened.

“Alexa, good morning!” I said.

“Good morning,” Alexa replied. - Today is the last day of September. I think it's time wake up green day" (Pun: Alexa thus recommended a song by Green Day called Wake Me Up When September Ends - “wake me up when September ends” - editor's note).

Seriously, Alexa made me laugh.

In early October, Google introduced its version of Echo - Google Home. The Times described the device as something that "looks like an air freshener." Google Home connects to your Google email and calendar, and maybe even to an actual air freshener in your home. Well, in the meantime, I keep setting up my old speakers - those giant wooden things with subwoofers and buttons and switches - and my friend recently opened a record store. So I step into the future - one foot is already in it, and the other is in the past, the way I like it.