Another edition of 1Home Digest is here, so let's get started:
Amazon to Charge for Advanced Alexa with AI Features
As it seems, Amazon plans to launch "Remarkable Alexa," a paid version with advanced AI capabilities, with an estimated price of $5 to $10 per month. They promise it will handle more complex commands faster and offer deeper personalization. This marks Alexa's first major upgrade in a decade. The new version is expected by August, but the pricing may be a hard sell for users used to the free Alexa. Would you pay for Alexa?
Your mailbox just got smart
We love this smart home hack! A homeowner installed a $29 Ring Mailbox Sensor to get alerts when mail arrives via the Ring app or Alexa. The sensor is easy to install, powered by AAA batteries, and connects through Amazon Sidewalk or a Ring Bridge. With custom Alexa routines and notifications like "You've got mail" you can always know when new mail arrives in the mailbox.
AI in Home Security: The way forward?
Despite some privacy concerns, AI in home security - like smart cameras and doorbells - is proving to be improving home safety, and is making home monitoring more efficient and effective. One of the big benefits is detecting false alarm through the use of AI-powered object recognition.
Android 15 Beta 3 Enhances Smart Home Control
Android 15 Beta 3, now available for Pixel devices, introduces a new screen saver mode that displays home controls while charging, putting home control in front of the user at all times. Users can activate this feature through the Display settings. The update, accessible on both Pixel tablets and smartphones, simplifies managing connected smart devices.
SwitchBot Hub 2 Update Expands Matter Support to More Devices
SwitchBot's latest firmware update for Hub 2 adds Matter support to 10 more devices, including lighting products and floor cleaning robots, enhancing integration with various smart home systems like Apple Home and Google Home.
SwitchBot launches Universal Remote with Matter Support
SwitchBot's new Universal Remote supports Matter via SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, allowing control of IR appliances like TVs and ACs. It integrates with SwitchBot devices, offers customizable scenes, offline operation, and will soon support Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.
And that's a wrap. Thanks for being here!
We'll be back very soon.😎