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Nexia syncs with Amazon Echo for voice-activated smart home control

The smart home platform is one of a rapidly growing number of products and services to integrate with the popular connected speaker.

Ry Crist Senior Editor / Reviews - Labs
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Expertise Smart home technology and wireless connectivity Credentials
  • 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team
Ry Crist
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The Nexia Bridge and the Amazon Echo smart speaker.

Colin West McDonald and Tyler Lizenby/CNET

Another day at the Consumer Electronics Showcase in Las Vegas, another Amazon Echo integration. This time, it's the Nexia connected home platform that's announcing compatibility with the popular smart home speaker. That means you'll be able to control your Nexia-compatible smart home gear simply by talking to Alexa, Echo's cloud-connected, voice-activated AI.

Nexia calls Echo a more accessible and versatile virtual assistant than the alternatives, and claims that you'll be able to use Alexa to control individual devices or execute any of your programmed automations.

In addition to joining up with Echo, Nexia unveiled a new Windows 10 app for use on PCs, tablets, and smartphones running Microsoft's latest operating system. The brand also displayed a host of new system devices, including:

  • An outdoor wireless camera
  • An indoor wireless camera with pan, tilt, and zoom capability
  • A doorbell sensor capable of triggering automations whenever someone's at the door
  • Enhanced compatibility with flood sensors, leak detectors, and water control modules from Fibaro, FortrezZ, Rachio Iro, and GoControl
  • A wall-mountable touch remote for system control
Nexia is also touting a new online portal that allows users to monitor their HVAC systems in real-time. Currently, Nexia allows users to send this diagnostic information directly to dealers and installers -- now, users will be able to see that same data for themselves, as well.