LOS ANGELES/ NEW YORK ¨C Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.¡¯s Google and Amazon.com Inc. ¡ª three of the biggest providers of smart-home and voice-assistant technology ¡ª are joining forces to make internet-connected homes easier to set up and safer to use.
The rivals announced Wednesday that they¡¯re working with the Zigbee Alliance ¡ª a foundation that promotes standards for the ¡°internet of things¡± ¡ª and its members, including Samsung Electronics Co., Somfy SA and IKEA, on a new standard that will ensure their products work with one another.
More parts of the home can now be controlled by voice-activated speakers or remote apps, from thermostats to lights and even refrigerators.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.