GE to debut Alexa-, Google Assistant-enabled light switch, ceiling lamp

Voice recognition is quickly finding its way in every smart lighting product. There is a growing pool of makers, including big names, adding AI assistant compatibility to their releases. Making the news recently is Ikea with its voice-controlled Tradfri lights. Now, another big brand, GE has already announced its upcoming Alexa- and Google Assistant-ready smart light switch and ceiling lamp.

The two products, part of the C by GE line, are capable of accepting voice commands for managing other smart devices. They also retrieve information from Alexa and Google Assistant and stream music from various platforms. The light switch looks like a regular flat touch switch with minimalist control icons. The ceiling lamp comes in the traditional round shape but seems to have a grille resembling that of speakers. Inside the products are hubs for smart control.

The Verge reports that GE has plans to sync the fixtures with Apple’s HomeKit, another popular smart home platform smart light brands are already adopting. The Alexa support is also common now in the latest smart lights from China brands. GE may not have been real fast in adding multiple AI assistant and smart home platform compatibility to the popular product line, but the move tells that voice control is indeed the way to go for manufacturers and buyers when competing and sourcing in today’s fast-moving smart lights market.