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The release reads:
ECOBEE EXPANDS INTO SMART HOME SOLUTIONS WITH ECOBEE SWITCH+, BRINGS VOICE CONTROL TO EVERY ROOM
Smart home leader moves beyond smart thermostat, unveils the first available light switch with Amazon Alexa
ecobee, Inc. today launched its smart light switch, the ecobee Switch+, delivering on its vision for invisibly integrated voice assistance in every room of the home. With built-in far-field voice technology and the Alexa Voice Service, ecobee Switch+ offers customers easy and effortless access to information, entertainment and intuitive control.
The company expects ecobee Switch+, introduced today during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference in Austin, Texas, to propel the smart home industry into a whole home voice future, bringing the power of ecobee to every room and allowing customers to experience a smart home that can listen, learn and respond to their needs. ecobee Switch+ will cost $99 (USD) in the U.S. and $119 (CAD) in Canada and is available for online pre-order starting March 13, 2018 and in stores March 26, 2018.
“Voice is something that comes naturally to people, so it creates these really incredible, personal experiences that help make life a little easier. Our research finds voice-based services are actually outpacing all other ecosystems at a rate of three to one,” said ecobee President and CEO Stuart Lombard. “With ecobee4 and now ecobee Switch+, voice literally weaves into the very fabric of your home, taking us one step closer to a whole home voice reality, which is proving to be the future of the smart home.”
ecobee Switch+ can bring voice into any room and is far more than a traditional light switch; it is the first available light switch to come equipped with built-in Amazon Alexa and a suite of smart features. ecobee Switch+ also lets you rely on motion and daylight sensors or a mobile device for smarter lighting control. Plus, when paired with an ecobee thermostat, the smart light switch will function as a room sensor to manage hot or cold spots. Together, an ecobee thermostat and ecobee Switch+ offer a seamless solution that makes for an unmatched, better home experience. The room sensor feature will be available later in 2018 via a software update.
Like all ecobee products, ecobee Switch+ will integrate with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, the Google Assistant, SmartThings and IFTTT. ecobee remains committed to integrating with multiple smart home ecosystems, empowering customers to control their devices using the service that meets their specific needs.
“The experience of Alexa and ecobee together is great, and we’re thrilled to see ecobee innovating on customers’ behalf,” said Pete Thompson, Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “The ecobee Switch+ can bring ecobee and Alexa into every room of the house – just walk into any space and ask Alexa to adjust the temperature, control lights, read the news and much more. Enabling easy-to-use, whole home voice control can be that simple. We’re excited to continue to expand our work with ecobee, an Alexa Fund portfolio company, to deliver delightful smart home experiences with the Alexa Voice Service.”
Pricing, Availability and Compatibility
ecobee Switch+ will retail for a suggested price of $99 (USD) in the U.S and $119 (CAD) in Canada. Beginning March 13, ecobee Switch+ will be available for online pre-order in the U.S. and Canada on ecobee.com and select retailers including Amazon, The Home Depot and Best Buy, and will be available in store across North America on March 26. ecobee Switch+ works with any light controlled by one switch with a neutral wire and supports most energy-efficient light bulbs, such as the LiFX. It is also rated to control 600w incandescent or 150w LED and CFD loads.
About ecobee
ecobee Inc. introduced the world’s first smart Wi-Fi thermostat to help millions of consumers live better and save more. The company’s mission is to create smarter devices that are beautifully designed, easy to use and provide savings for families, while being good for our planet. With ecobee’s pioneering room sensor technology, built-in Amazon Alexa voice service, far-field voice recognition, and a wide array of smart home integrations, ecobee combines smart home technology and voice to help customers manage their home’s comfort, energy and busy lives. Find out more at www.ecobee.com.
