by Brian Owen, Editor, VoiceFirst Canada Media, presenter of VoiceCon Canada ‘VoiceCAN’
Having previously experienced the transformation of the LED solid-state lighting market, I can appreciate the time and efforts in order to achieve the end result. A market does not transform overnight but in my recent exposure to voice technology, the changes are rapid and the technology is becoming common-place in the home. Recently, I experienced how pervasive voice technology is becoming in the home and how rapidly the percentage of homes with a voice device is increasing, with the popularity contest going to Alexa from Amazon. In the last 3 weeks I attended 1 industry conference and 2 public shows in the built environment. Seeing the changes and consumer adoption occur so swiftly is like travelling in the Tardis with Doctor Who!
Let’s start the journey at the National Home Show in the Enercare Centre at Toronto’s Exhibition Place on March 18th, where 2 features of the show were captivating attendees. Front and centre when entering the show was the Best Buy Smart Home, where attendees could discover how Best Buy smart home products can make life simpler and safer. Active functional displays included smart lighting, thermostats, appliances and security cameras. Attendees could learn how to seamlessly connect and control everything with their voice.
I am proud to report that Canadian technology companies have become recognized as leaders in this space, with products like the Ecobee smart thermostats and Nanoleaf decorative colour-changing LED lighting panels. Both companies are Canadian and are headquartered in Toronto. Also present was Hunter Douglas with their voice-controlled window blinds and shades. All 3 product lines are compatible with Alexa and controlled by an Alexa skill.
More recently I ventured to 2 events, back to back, the first being Springfest at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto on April 5th, 2018. This is a trade event for building owners and property managers. It was evident that more and more building automation systems are employing voice interaction. For the end-consumers, Shaw Direct Satellite TV showcased their home system with a voice activated remote for controlling your TV experience, including the selection of channels and programs. Called BlueSky TV Guide and unique in Canada, this feature allows even greater control by translating your voice into Guide commands. Nothing is off limits: ask a question or give commands and the Guide will follow your lead. What can you do with Voice Control? Shaw says more than you’d think. You can use the Voice Control feature to change channels, search for your favourite shows, view recommendations and more. You can also gain easy access to weather, sports, stock and traffic information right from applications within your BlueSky TV cable box. Imagine that; lose your remote in the house and you can just call out like hide and seek to find it!
To conclude the ‘show business’, I attended the long running Green Living Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on April 8th, 2018, where everything green could be found. Once again, I was able to spend more hands-on time with the Ecobee thermostat, and the warm and cozy light of Nanoleaf. Ecobee was featured in the GreenON home. GreenON is an Ontario government program mandated with energy reduction. Originally, homeowners and tenants could receive the Ecobee for free through this program; however the newest round of funding provides a $100.00 rebate on any of the Ecobee models. Ecobee also has an advanced Alexa-enable light switch that can actually play your music through its speaker.
The new voice-enabled Ecobee4 comes with Amazon Alexa Voice Service built inside. The Ecobee4 can perform the many ‘skills’ that come with Alexa. All you have to do is ask, and watch the blue light pipe on top of the thermostat blink in response. For total hands-free control, it can even hear you from across the room. With Alexa, fulfil everyday tasks with a simple command. Imagine you’re throwing a last-minute dinner party. Simply ask your Ecobee4 to walk you through each step out loud – from finding the right recipes to the ideal music playlist.
I spoke with Leslie Chen, Nanoleaf’s PR & Communications Manager at the Green Living Show, and she indicated that Nanoleaf has been well received in the market and consumers are delighted with not only the remote control, but now the voice control. Nanoleaf is fully controllable through an Alexa skill. Nanoleaf displayed the prototype of its new square panel, which I feel will be a designer’s de’light’ to incorporate as an aesthetic lighting component in interior design.
Also new last September was the Nanoleaf Rhythm. The Rhythm makes it possible to see sound, visually remastering your music into animated displays of colour and light. The modular Nanoleaf Light Panels changed the way the world experiences light. The Rhythm adds another dimension to the Nanoleaf journey: bringing your playlist to life before your eyes. Colour displays are created by your own soundtrack and the Rhythm takes you on a sensory adventure that’s personalized just for you. The Rhythm is a small sound module that plugs into any Light Panel. Its built-in audio sensor automatically picks up on beats, sounds, and melodies, translating the sounds into light shows.
“Adding the Rhythm music visualizer was the natural next step for Nanoleaf”, states Gimmy Chu, CEO and Co-Founder of Nanoleaf. “We’ve received an overwhelming response from our customers to have a music visualizer for the Nanoleaf Light Panels. Visuals play an incredible part in how we experience everyday life, but our senses extend so much further than that. Sound, along with sight, is one of the most interactive senses we have. With the Rhythm, these two can now come together, creating a fully immersive sensory experience and pushing the limits of self-expression.”
Much faster than with solid-state LED lighting, especially with an entry price for the consumer that is affordable and reasonable, voice connected technology hub devices such as Amazon Echo, available in Canada since November of 2017, are becoming an IoT staple in the connected SmartHome.
Nanoleaf and Ecobee products, as well as the Amazon Echo, are available at Amazon.ca.
