Microsoft Cortana is adding support for more smart home providers, as well as integration with if this then that (IFTTT), to make it easier for users to control their smart home devices on the go.
IFTTT is a free platform that works with over 600 services from various providers and help users connect their apps and services together. Cortana on IFTTT will open a lot of possibilities for users, like adding items to shopping list on Trello, post a tweet, log weight on Fitbit, etc.
Cortana currently supports a few smart home platforms including Nest, Phillips Hue, Wink, Samsung SmartThings, and Insteon. With the additional devices’ support announced recently, users will now be able to integrate smart home devices from Honeywell Lyrics, ecobee, Honeywell Total Connect Comfort, LIFX, TO-Link Kasa, and Geeni as well.
Users can control these devices using Cortana on iPhone, Windows 10, Android and the Harman Kardon Invoke speaker.
“You can also use Applets on IFTTT with Cortana to trigger multiple actions with one phrase. So if you are watching a movie at home, you can say “Hey Cortana, movie time” and she’ll turn down your Hue lights, Harmony TV turned on, and your Nest Thermostat set to the right temperature,” wrote Microsoft in a blog post.
Microsoft’s Cortana can perform several automated tasks, and allow users to control smart home devices even when they are not home. For example, if a user has forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving home, he can turn them off by simply telling Cortana, “Hey Cortana, turn off the lights.” Cortana can also be used to control thermostat, space heater, straightening iron, and setting the light bulbs according to the user’s mood.
Also read: Microsoft increases focus on Mixed Reality, reorganizes teams
With the support of new smart home devices and IFTTT, Microsoft hopes to gain more ground in smart home technology.
