Comcast has been in the news a lot recently, from failed mergers to promising to improve its customer service. Interesting timing on the latter, because the company wants to up its presence in your home. It recently announced its Xfinity Home service will now support a slew of smart home automation devices. CEO Brian Roberts confirmed the news at cable television’s annual trade show gathering in Chicago. Some of the new partner devices include August Smart Locks, Leeo, Lutron, SkyBell, Rachio Smart Sprinklers, and the Whistle pet monitor. The company noted that it is working separately with Nest Labs to integrate its services.
Previously, homeowners with smart thermostats and doorbells have not been able to control them via Xfinity Home. With this new integration, homeowners will be able flip on the lights or lock the doors with the Xfinity Home mobile app, through their TVs, or with their voice via the Xfinity Remote. The pricing for these systems is tiered, but existing customers can pay $30 a month for the company’s Home Security Service or $19 monthly for no monitoring, with a two-year contract.
“We want to help people unlock the potential of their smart home,” said Dan Herscovici, senior vice president and general manager, Xfinity Home. “Whether it’s through the television, an app or a voice command, we’re giving customers one easy-to-use experience to control all their favorite devices, seamlessly on the same platform.”
Later this year, Comcast also plans to release a Software Development Kit and certification program, which will allow partners to work with Xfinity Home to create more integrated devices.
As of late, Comcast has felt the pressure from “cord cutters” who are ditching their cable packages for pay-what-you-want television services. This move from Comcast could help the company find additional revenue through its Xfinity Home service, though it remains to be seen if customers will want to be locked into the company controlling their homes.
