As the year comes to a close, it’s safe to say that smart home tech was one of the more emphasized new product categories of 2017. But with all the recently unveiled gadgets, wanting the latest and greatest for your smart home may mean keeping track of more internet-connected gear than you’d like. That’s where Zōn comes in, streamlining voice assistant speakers and smart plugs for new and old smart home owners alike.
Voice-activated speakers and smartphone-enabled outlets are two of the most common devices found in just about any smart home. Zōn has chosen to enter the market by offering one streamlined device that offers the functionality provided by both of these entry-level gadgets.
Those familiar with existing smart speakers will notice that Zōn draws heavily from the competition. Just like the Echo, HomePod and Google Home, Zōn features the common mesh exterior.
Unconventionally, Zōn has ditched the cylinder form-factor and opted for a flatter, more rectangular casing that can either be plugged directly into the wall like a standard smart plug or lay flat on a surface for easier access to ports.
Since Zōn is at its core a voice-enabled speaker, it is reliant on Alexa to handle your queries. As such you’ll find all of the skills and features your Echo or Echo Dot packs like smart home control, news briefings, music playback, and more.
But aside from its slick form-factor and Alexa compatibility, Zōn’s biggest strength is how nicely it plays well with others. Among its list of third parties integrations you’ll find just about all the big players from Philips Hue, Nest, and Ring to SmartThings, Wemo, and Wink.
Zōn’s all-in-one form-factor makes it an ideal device for those just starting out with smart home technology as well as early adopters. For those just getting a taste, Zōn’s simplicity should hopefully combat some of the learning curves associated with integrating new technology.
Current smart home owners will benefit as well. Our favorite voice assistants have begun living in just about all the rooms in our home, from the family room and kitchen to the bedroom. Zōn cuts down on doubling up devices in each room.
Zōn is currently available for preorder and is shipping in the middle of 2018. It comes in a variety of bundles ranging from entry-level starter kits at $130 to multi-room packages at $330 complete with lightbulbs and additional smart outlets.
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