Daniel J Sait
One of the less visible platforms of late, Fibaro chose CES to highlight it is bang up to date in terms of compatibility by announcing it now works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and most recently, Google Assistant.
All three voice assistants allow for verbal interaction with Fibaro’s devices, and select products connected to Fibaro Home Centre hubs. Users can give voice commands that turn the lights on and off, adjust a room’s temperature, check which doors and windows are currently open, or instruct the Fibaro system to simultaneously perform several similar tasks by giving a pre-defined verbal command.
Fibaro customers that use iPhone X to control their Fibaro smart home system can also disarm their Fibaro alarm system using Face ID, Apple’s face recognition feature. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice integration is available in English immediately using software version 4.130 or higher. Fibaro will continue to expand the number of voice commands available for each platform in 2018.
Also new in 2018, the Fibaro system is compatible with devices from AV brands including Bose, Sonos, Yamaha, Russound, iEast, Bang&Oulfsen, Musaic, Cocktail Audio, Pioneer, Onkyo, Denon and Nuvo.
When integrated with the Fibaro system, the compatible multimedia devices can be programmed to automatically lower music volume after a certain time, to turn itself on along with other connected devices when watching TV, or for special functions such as play lullabies in a child’s room at bed time.
The Fibaro systems also now works with other well-known IoT security companies such as Yale, August, Danlock, and DSC. When one of the compatible smart locks or door/window sensors are integrated with the Fibaro system, homeowners can check to see the status of their home’s access points and lock the door from anywhere in the world.
Fibaro also continues to design and manufacture HomeKit and Z-Wave-compatible devices from its base in Poland, and with over 175 smart integrations, the maker says the system now works with all aspects of the connected home. Users can also personalise the devices and scenes in their Fibaro smart home system via the company’s desktop platform or via its Z-Wave or HomeKit apps.
Fibaro has also opened up its platform to allow community members to create additional integrations that can be used with the Fibaro system, all of which are available from the company’s own on-line resource.