Amazon’s Echo now supports more smart home devices than Apple’s HomeKit.
The weekly Echo email update today reported Echo has added the ability to control Wink-enabled Leviton and Lightify products.
The links in the email specifically led to the OSRAM 73674 Lightify Smart Connected Lighting LED Tunable A19 Bulb and Leviton DZS15-1LZ Decora Z-Wave Controls 15-Amp Scene Capable Switch.
But adding up Amazon’s other announcements to date in this area, Echo’s voice-controlled helpmate Alexa can now control more smart home devices than Apple’s Siri. Siri requires devices explicitly designed for HomeKit, like the just released iHome Smartplug. The only alternative right now to bring non-HomeKit devices under Siri control is Intellon’s HomeKit enabled Hub Pro, which works only with Intellon devices.
Amazon Echo with Wink
In contrast, Echo can control devices from Philips and Belkin WeMo plus a whole range of LED bulbs, smart switches and outlets from GE, Leviton, Cree and others via expanded Wink Hub support. Amazon’s Echo still costs $179.99, but provides voice-activated access to music, audiobooks, news, weather, traffic, sports and other information.