New iOS Alexa app provides control of "Smart Home" devices

[Bumbershoot]

I just installed the latest iOS update to the Alexa app.  It now appears to provide limited control of devices.  Insteon and Z-Wave devices, including scenes and programs that are discovered by the app are in some way controllable, including Nest (temp settings) and LIFX bulbs (on/off and brightness).  Most interesting, a STATE variable with the spoken of "kitchen lights" is controllable with a small amount of configurability (see screenshot).  This is no threat to MobilLinc, but it's a start.

 

Client Version  - 1.24.3033.0

Bridge Version - 2.2.464.1

Edited November 11, 2017 by Bumbershoot

[asbril]

Screen Shot 2017-11-10 at 4.17.06 PM.pngI just installed the latest iOS update to the Alexa app.  It now appears to provide limited control of devices.  Insteon and Z-Wave devices, including scenes and programs that are discovered by the app are in some way controllable, including Nest (temp settings) and LIFX bulbs (on/off and brightness).  Most interesting, a STATE variable with the spoken of "kitchen lights" is controllable with a small amount of configurability (see screenshot).  This is no threat to MobilLinc, but it's a start.

 

Client Version  - 1.24.3033.0

Bridge Version - 2.2.464.1

I have seen this as well, but it does not appear to show current status of the light, which is something Mobilinc does very well.

[Bumbershoot]

I have seen this as well, but it does not appear to show current status of the light, which is something Mobilinc does very well.

True.  Status is partially reflected once you control a device, and in the case my Nest thermostat, it shows current temperature and setpoint.

 

With the development resources at Amazon's disposal, and their apparent interest in this platform, I'll be bit surprised if they simply leave it at that.  Since device status is available on the UDI portal, and since UDI doesn't provide a mobile app of their own, one might think that UDI and Amazon may cooperate further.  I guess time will tell.  For now, it's a free download, at least for iOS.  They may, however, simply just "leave it at that", conceding the full featured market to commercial apps like MobilLinc and Agave.  Again, time will tell.

Edited November 11, 2017 by Bumbershoot

[ScottAvery]

I suspect the lack of live status may be related to the fact that many of their partner smarthome companies may not have that capability due to zwave patent issues or their own short sightedness.  They don't seem to support features that are not near universal.  I have assumed this is the reason they have ignored the need to identify which echo device received a given voice call in the protocol, considering most of the partner systems cannot use conditional logic.

 

I also notice the Insteon logo is no longer featured on the Alexa/Echo smarthome pages.