This $20 Gadget Will Completely Change How You Use Alexa At Home

Amazon

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Amazon made nan Smart Dimmer Switch disposable for pre-order.
• This move is battery-powered pinch 4 individually programmable buttons that tin power smart location devices, tally routines, aliases power music.
• The dimmer move only costs $20 and is compatible pinch Alexa-enabled devices.

Amazon softly made its Smart Dimmer Switch disposable for preorder for $20, pinch orders shipping connected October 31 this week. The institution introduced this move during its Devices and Services event successful September, though it hadn't provided specifics connected erstwhile it would beryllium disposable to nan market.

The Smart Dimmer Switch is simply a wireless distant nether nan Amazon Basics marque that useful pinch Alexa. The move features 4 buttons that tin beryllium programmed individually to execute almost immoderate action that Alexa tin do. The buttons tin power circumstantial smart location devices, groups, tally routines, play music, and more. 

Also: 8 smart location gadgets I invested successful this twelvemonth - and really they're already paying off

Unlike a regular switch, nan Smart Dimmer Switch tin power aggregate devices astatine erstwhile and tally preset automations. Instead of simply dimming aliases switching connected a ray pinch a fastener press, you tin group up a fastener connected this Smart Dimmer Switch to move connected your chamber lights, fan, and set nan somesthesia connected your smart thermostat astatine once.

Amazon wants nan Smart Dimmer Switch to present convenience and power without relying connected sound commands. Instead of having to inquire Alexa to execute tasks aggregate times a day, you tin programme communal buttons to execute tasks, specified arsenic closing nan car shed aliases mounting nan segment for a movie night. 

The move from sound power to pressing a fastener is much groundbreaking than smart location users mightiness think. Alexa is 1 of nan astir compatible smart location systems available, pinch millions of devices base nan 'Works pinch Alexa' tag. 

However, galore smart location users are reticent astir having an Echo instrumentality successful their homes that is ever listening. This Smart Dimmer Switch addresses that interest and allows users to tally nan aforesaid automations arsenic Alexa by pressing a button.

Also: What is Alexa+? Everything you request to cognize astir Amazon's caller AI assistant

This isn't nan first programmable smart location move to participate nan market; different companies, specified arsenic Linxura and Brilliant, for example, already connection akin products. SwitchBot's Hub 3 besides serves arsenic a distant power for SwitchBot and Matter-compatible devices, allowing you to power much than conscionable Alexa devices. 

Smart lighting makers for illustration Lutron person besides released akin wireless dimmer switches, specified arsenic the Pico Remote. However, these switches are designed for their proprietary smart location ecosystems and are constricted to ray control.

Also: I utilized Amazon's Echo Show 21 arsenic my smart location hub - and it's almost perfect

The Amazon Basics Smart Dimmer Switch is battery-operated, meaning you tin return it pinch you astir nan house. It comes pinch a guidelines that tin beryllium wall-mounted, but it's besides magnetic, and you tin instrumentality it to nan fridge aliases different metallic surfaces.

The move connects to your Echo device, which acts arsenic a hub, and Alexa tin group it up wrong minutes of removing nan artillery tab. The Alexa app lets you group up your caller distant and programme which fastener does what.