Comcast adds new Smart Home camera and voice controls

Comcast Adds New Video Camera and Voice Controls to Smart Home Platform

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Comcast today unveiled a new Wi-Fi-enabled, high definition, indoor/outdoor camera, the latest in a series of new features and devices for its home security and automation platform, Xfinity Home. The company also added voice control to its home platform and is redesigning its own core smart home devices while continuing to integrate third party products from leading manufacturers like August Home, Chamberlain, Lutron, and Nest.

The smart home market is expected to double in the next 12 months to 30 million households, and connected cameras rank highest on consumers’ wish lists.

“We want to give consumers the best of home automation and security in one, easy-to-use experience,” said Daniel Herscovici, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Xfinity Home. “Our new camera features great connectivity, wide-angle views, and powerful night vision, delivering clear, high-quality footage. It also interacts with other IoT devices on our platform, like sensors and lights, so people can personalize and automate their connected home.”

The xCam features a weather resistant seal, 109-degree field of view, high definition video, and infrared night vision. The Wi-Fi signal is routed through the power source instead of the camera, improving the overall range of connection and giving users more flexibility where they put the device.

Customers can also add 24/7 video recording to review past footage for up to 10 days, view their live video feeds from anywhere and download video clips using the Xfinity Home app or portal, and create rules that trigger other smart home devices. For example, the xCam can be set up to capture video whenever a certain door sensor in the house is activated. The 24/7 option also includes motion-based recording and software that reduces false events like falling leaves or changes in lighting.

Comcast also added voice control to its smart home platform. Xfinity Home customers who have the X1 platform can now say, “Xfinity Home Cameras” into their X1 voice remote to see camera feeds on the television or say, “Xfinity Home Arm” or “Xfinity Home Disarm” to control their security system from the big screen.

The xCam is just the latest example of Comcast’s effort to redesign its own core, smart home devices. Later this year, the company will launch a new touchscreen, sensor, keypad, and more. At the same time, Comcast continues to work with leading Internet of Things companies to curate and integrate best-in-class products into the platform via its Works With Xfinity Home program like the Nest Learning Thermostat, Chamberlain MyQ garage controller, Lutron Caséta wireless controller and dimmer and August Smart Lock.

The xCam will be available to all Xfinity Home customers this summer.

Xfinity Home is an integrated home security, automation, and energy management solutions provider that allows users to monitor and control smart home functions from one app, touchscreen, or web portal. The service is available to residential customers in 39 states and the District of Columbia.