Vivint, a smart home service provider, announced that its voice-controlled smart home service now boasts support for the Google Assistant featured in the Google Home speaker. As Vivint integrated its smart home services into the Google Assistant, owners of the Google Home are now able to control certain Internet of Things (IoT) devices like garage doors, security systems, cameras, smart locks, and alarms. The support is officially rolling out this April and will also allow Vivint’s customers to control their smart homes using the Google Home app. Of course, users can also opt to use one of the two older methods of accessing Vivint systems – the Vivint Sky Control Panel and the Vivint Smart Home App.
Vivint Smart Home is a company focused on smart home automation and home security systems with an extensive record of using smart devices to provide its services. Among other things, the firm uses different versions of smart cameras like doorbell cameras and cameras with two-way audio support, in addition to utilizing smart sensors and thermostats. The newly added Google Home support allows Vivint’s clients to lock and unlock doors, adjust the room temperature, and remotely control their home lights.
Meanwhile, Google recently announced the integration of numerous devices and services into the Google Assistant, paving the way for a more connected future and promoting home automation. Aside from Vivint, companies like Best Buy Insignia, LIFX, TP-Link, and Wink now support Google Assistant, allowing users to control devices like routers, air conditioning units, appliances, fans, and lights. Other companies that have already announced Google Assistant support include Samsung SmartThings, Belkin, Nest, Honeywell, and Philips Hue. Aside from the Google Home and Google Allo instant messaging app, the Google Assistant can now also be found on more Android devices as the service is now available on many Android smartphones running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and newer versions of the operating system, as well as Android Wear 2.0 wearables. Opting to combine Google Home with solutions like IFTTT and Tasker can also be very useful for users who are willing to tinker with software with the goal of improving their automated home systems.