Skip to main content

How Smart Speakers Improve Your Home Experience

Aug 07, 2017|

vivint smart home smart speaker

For millions of people, simplifying home life is as simple as talking to the air thanks to smart speakers like Amazon Echo.

You’re probably familiar with Alexa — Echo’s voice-activated smart speaker personality — and her ability to answer questions about seemingly anything. Perhaps you’ve even considered getting an Echo, but wondered, “What can Echo do for me?” Or, “Would I even use it?”

Who better to answer those questions than those who own and use smart speakers?

What Smart Speaker Owners Think About Their Devices

New research from NPR and Edison Research reveals what smart speakers owners (76 percent of which own and use the Echo) think about and do with smart speakers.

According to their research:

  • 42 percent of smart speaker owners own more than one smart speaker.
  • 45 percent of smart speaker owners plan on purchasing another smart speaker.
  • 65 percent of smart speaker owners agree or strongly agree with the statement, “You wouldn’t want to go back to life without your smart speaker.”

It’s clear smart speaker owners love their devices. In fact, 42 percent of owners say a smart speaker is essential to their everyday lives.

So what do people do with these essential devices?

How People Use Amazon Echo

The NPR and Edison Research results point to a number of common uses, including:

  • Listening to music (90%)
  • Asking questions with voice (87%)
  • Making it easier to do things (69%)
  • Setting alarms (63%)
  • Controlling smart home devices (48%)

Smart speakers have many other uses, but the common thread is smart speakers help improve or simplify life. This makes smart speakers a valuable addition to a smart home. A smart home is all about improving your life and what you do, not complicating it with yet another gadget.

smart speaker vivint smart home family kids

What Can Amazon Echo Control?

The Echo by itself is not a smart home. But when integrated with other smart devices it can be an important part of a smart home system. In fact, the NPR and Edison Research study showed 35 percent of smart speaker owners use their device to control home lighting, thermostats, and appliances; and 34 percent use smart speakers for home security.

Use Echo to Manage Your Smart Home

When integrated with smart home systems like the Vivint system, the Echo can be used to manage your smart home.

Using just the sound of your voice, you can tell the Echo to manage your home security. Say, “Alexa, ask Vivint to lock my front door,” and your door will lock. You can also have Alexa arm your system and close your garage door.

In addition, Alexa can turn your lights on and off, show your live camera feeds, and adjust your home’s temperature settings, all with simple voice commands.

What Can Amazon Echo Do For Me?

Echo is at its best when integrated with a larger smart home experience. But it can also be used as a standalone device to improve the home experience.

smart speaker vivint smart home

Check Your Commute

Mornings can be hectic and the last thing you need to worry about is looking up the current traffic report while also trying to eat breakfast and hurry kids out the door to catch the bus. Alexa can tell you about traffic conditions while you take care of the rest of the morning routine.

Stay in the Know

You don’t have to read multiple newspapers to stay in the know. Alexa can tell you the top headlines, the weather report, or queue up your favorite podcast. This frees you up to do other things, like maybe squeeze in some exercise.

Improve Your Kitchen Experience

When you’re busy preparing a meal, the last thing you want to do is pause to start a timer or look up measuring conversions. So let Echo do those things for you. Alexa can set timers and tell you common unit conversions, making cooking a little easier and meal time that much sooner.

Let You Be You

When you’re at home, you should be able to relax. The last thing you need is another device to keep track of (who knows where that TV remote went?). Echo can be placed in a central location like a living room or kitchen, which lets you freely move about your house and do your thing without having a device in hand. When you need something, Alexa can be voice activated from across the room.

So keep doing your hobby and let Alexa tell you the most recent sports scores, or turn up the volume to your favorite song.

Thumbnail

Download your free smart home guide.

Learn everything you need to know about the value and security of a smart home in one quick, easy read.

Improve Your Home Experience

The Echo can be a valuable tool when you discover how it can simplify your home experience.

The NPR and Edison Research study showed 48 percent of respondents don’t currently own a smart speaker because they don’t know enough about it. We can help with that!

Learn more about Amazon Echo and how it can be part of your smart home experience.

Get a free quote today.

A Vivint Smart Home Pro will contact you within 24 hours. Or skip the form and call now: 844.481.8630.

By clicking "Start Your Quote", you agree by electronic signature to:
1. The Electronic Disclosure Consent;
2. Receive recurring marketing communications from Vivint at the telephone number and email address you provide on this form, including autodialed calls, texts, and prerecorded messages (consent not required to make a purchase; reply “STOP” to opt-out of texts or “HELP” for help); and
3. Vivint's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Related Content
  • What Smart Lock Works with Alexa and Google Home?

    Smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home can integrate with many brands of smart locks, making locking up easier than ever.

  • 15 Things Your Kids Will Love About Amazon Alexa and Google Home

    Smart speakers like Google Home and Amazon Alexa aren't just for adults—your kids will love these fun and engaging devices.

  • How a Google Home or Amazon Echo Help You As a Parent

    Smart speakers like Google Home or Amazon Alexa can help with many aspects of parenting, making life easier for you and your kids.

*Offer Details

Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 expenditure on equipment after all discounts have been applied, professional installation, and execution of Vivint monitoring services agreement. Click here for monthly service plan prices. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previously-installed systems not eligible for offer. Offer not available in all states or provinces. Equipment purchase may be financed separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply.

Third-Party Financing Options Available

Financing eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Qualified customers may finance equipment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.

Vivint Systems & Services

System supports up to six cameras subject to sufficient WiFi speeds. Without a Vivint services plan, product and system functionality is limited (including loss of remote connectivity). Speak to a Vivint representative at the phone number in this offer for complete equipment, services, and package details, including pricing and financing details. Products and services in Louisiana provided by Vivint Louisiana Commercial Certificate #58280. See Vivint license numbers here.