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How to link Zigbee devices to the Amazon Echo
How to link Zigbee devices to the Amazon Echo
When it comes to controlling a smart home with an Amazon Echo, the first thought is using Alexa. Besides being the voice of the Echo, the Alexa platform contains support for an absurd quantity of smart home hardware. If it’s connected, there’s a pretty good chance it’s connected to Alexa. Using Alexa isn’t the only way, though. On some models, such as the current Amazon Echo (4th Gen), you have an alternative by way of Zigbee. This is a wireless protocol that allows compatible hardware to link directly to your Amazon Echo, without the need for Wi-Fi connectivity, companion apps, or the cloud. Not all Amazon Echos have a Zigbee hub built-in, but for those that do, it gives you the freedom to create a more local-focused smart home. But you still get the benefit of Alexa routines, integrations, and voice control if you wish. Here’s how to set it all up. What is Zigbee? Zigbee is based on the IEEE’s 802.15.4 personal-area network standard. What does that actually mean? In simpler terms, Zigbee is a local network alternative to Wi-Fi and other connection standards like Bluetooth. It doesn’t rely on a point-to-point connection. Instead, it operates a low-power mesh network, which is why it’s so useful for smart home devices. Its low-power nature makes it perfect for small devices, such as sensors. The fact it’s a common standard also means that hardware made by different manufacturers can communicate with each other. For example, the Amazon-made Echo can talk to a Sonoff Zigbee-enabled temperature sensor. Zigbee is a fairly old standard and may soon be overshadowed by Matter, but it’s still useful. Using Zigbee can help reduce the number of hubs and dedicated controllers you have in your smart home, as well as help to reduce the overall load on your home Wi-Fi network. Which Amazon Echos have a Zigbee hub built-in? The Zigbee hub is a feature that you won’t find in every different version of the Amazon Echo. These are the models you need, past and present:
How to link Zigbee devices to the Amazon Echo With the right Amazon Echo in your home, you’re ready to start hooking up some Zigbee smart home devices. The good news is that it’s really straightforward. Just follow these steps:
One word of caution, however. While the hardware will connect to the Zigbee hub on the Echo, you may in some cases need to enable an Alexa skill to make it stay that way. For example, I have a [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Temperature-Humidity-Checking-Thermometer-Hygrometer/dp/B08BCJNDYQ/?tag=xdadev04-20[/ame] that you can use with a companion app and the company’s own hub, or with the Echo as I have. After the initial connection, the device would become unresponsive within about half an hour. Enabling the company’s Alexa skill seemed to resolve the issue with no further interaction beyond this required. That’s all there is to it, though. If you plan to have a number of small sensors and low-power devices around the home, going Zigbee over Wi-Fi-connected has its benefits. With a compatible Amazon Echo, you don’t need any additional hubs or controllers, you can get connecting right away. And this way you have the best smart speaker around as a bonus.
The post How to link Zigbee devices to the Amazon Echo appeared first on XDA. More... |
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