Alexa for Residential lets landlords create smart apartments
Given Amazon’s privacy record, what could go wrong?
Amazon wants to make it easier to have a smart home without actually owning a home. Today, the company is unveiling its “Alexa for Residential” program that lets property managers add Alexa-enabled devices and experiences to rental properties.
Landlords and property managers can install Alexa devices, pre-fill info like device name, address and Wi-Fi network, pre-enable Alexa skills and set interactions with other smart home devices, like lights and appliances. Residents will be able to connect their personal accounts and additional devices.
Amazon says 84 percent of renters want an apartment with smart home amenities, and 61 percent said they would pay a monthly fee for a voice assistant. According to the company, property staff and management will not have access to Alexa voice recordings. But given Amazon’s privacytrack record, some renters might still be wary.
