Intercom
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Ring's latest device makes voice intercom systems smarter
It offers remote door control for people in big apartment blocks.
Alexa's intercom-like broadcasts come to more non-Echo devices
Amazon has slowly been expanding the circle of devices that can use Alexa Announcements, but now it's throwing the gates wide open. The company has made the intercom-like feature available to any device with Alexa support built-in -- you could use your thermostat or fridge to tell the kids that dinner is ready. In theory, you won't have to visit a specific room like you might today.
Alexa's one-way intercom feature arrives on Fire TV Cube
If you have several Echo (or Sonos One or Beam) devices around your home, you might already be aware of the Alexa Announcements feature -- speak into one device and the others broadcast that message over their speakers. To knit its ecosystem closer together, Amazon is bringing the one-way intercom tool to the Fire TV Cube.
Google Home speakers now double as house intercoms
Amazon isn't the only one turning smart speakers into intercoms. Google is pushing an Assistant upgrade that lets you broadcast your voice to every Home speaker in your house using either another speaker or your phone. If you need to gather the household, you just have to say "OK Google, broadcast" and whatever you want to deliver. It'll even ring a dinner bell if you say "it's dinner time." And you don't have to be at home, either -- you can tell the family you're on your way without having to make a phone call or send a text message.
Amazon is turning every Echo device into an intercom
If you've got multiple Amazon Echo devices throughout your home, you'll soon be able to use them as a connected intercom. Amazon just launched the feature today across the original Echo, Echo Dot and its new screen-toting Echo Show. We heard last month that the intercom capability was in the works, and it seemed like a given once Amazon brought hands-free calling and messaging across the Echo family. The company is rolling out the feature over the next few days, but be sure to update your Alexa app to access it.
Nucleus is an Alexa-enabled touchscreen intercom
Most people have smartphones and tablets (sometimes, in multiples) these days and don't actually need an intercom. But if you're looking for one and want something more feature-packed than your typical walkie-talkie-like variants, you may want to check out Nucleus. It's a touchscreen tablet/intercom that comes integrated with Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa and its many voice commands. You know how you can ask Alexa through Amazon Echo to add eggs to your grocery list, tell you the weather forecast or play Prime Music/iHeartRadio/TuneIn? Well, you can do all those with Nucleus, as well.
Visualized: if the iPhone had happened in an alternate reality
This collection of devices -- from Germany's SKS Hinkel, and winner of an iF Product Design Award this year -- is really a video intercom system. But if you use your imagination, from left to right, it looks like an iPod shuffle, an iPod classic, an iPhone shuffle, and an iPhone classic all developed in some awesome alternate dimension where coiled phone cords are still cool. Admit it: you miss the click wheel.
D-Link DWM-351 turns the doorbell into a 3G video intercom
In lieu of a cost-effective, consumer-friendly home automation standard being available, products like the D-Link 3G Door Phone have emerged to address ad hoc automation needs. This suped-up, waterproof doorbell allows home owners to monitor the front door over a 3G cellphone or PC via the unit's integrated 0.1 megapixel camera, SIM card, speaker, and mic. Home owners can then see the visitor as a snapshot or over one-way 3G video while interacting over a two-way voice call. Unfortunately, it won't allow you to remotely unlock your door; for that you'll need something like a Schlage lock and a fussy Z-Wave network to go with it. Alternatively, devices like the Siemens Gigaset HC450 intercom has the option to control your electronic door lock from your home landline (accessible via your mobile phone) but lacks video and direct 3G data access. Hey, nobody said home automation was going to be easy.
Scala Rider G4 Bluetooth headset enables four-way biker communication
Longing to get reacquainted with your hog? Looking to not get all lonely on the open road? Cardo Systems -- which has been doing the whole intercom-laced motorcycle helmet for years now -- has just pushed out its latest concoction, and the Scala Rider G4 looks to be the most advanced version yet of the talking cranium protector. Aside from boasting an integrated Bluetooth chip for handsfree calling and voice activation, there's also a built-in FM radio and an intercom system that enables up to four riders to communicate within a full mile of one another. The company claims that the G4 is the "first Bluetooth headset to offer group intercom between up to three riders as well as communication among two riders and their two passengers on two bikes at distances up to 5,280 feet," and if A2DP audio streaming is your thing, you'll find support for that as well. Each lid will run you $279.95 and should last up to ten solid hours if yapping continuously, though we're guessing your jacksy will be needing an overnight stay before you hit that milestone.
