Ecobee Expands Smart Home Ecosystem with New Smart Doorbell

Ecobee, a Canadian startup that was the first to launch a smart thermostat back in 2008, is now expanding its smart home ecosystem with the release of a smart video doorbell. The company aims to establish itself as the smartest player in the market, offering a range of innovative features and capabilities.

While Nest has gained a lot of attention with its Learning Thermostat, it was actually Ecobee that paved the way for smart thermostats. Since then, the two companies have taken different paths, with Ecobee continuing to innovate and improve its products, while Google (which acquired Nest in 2014) has let its flagship thermostat wither on the vine.

The new Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera, priced at $159.99, stands out with its ability to display a live feed from the camera on the company’s thermostats. This feature, which I always thought Nest might do, offers convenience and ease of use. Additionally, Ecobee has announced that all its thermostats will act as keypads for its smart security system and can also function as a siren.

Ecobee’s ecosystem doesn’t end with thermostats and doorbells. The company also offers an indoor camera called SmartCamera with Voice Control, as well as smart sensors for doors and windows that monitor motion and contact. What sets Ecobee apart is its commitment to being an open platform, working seamlessly with all major smart home platforms.

Furthermore, Ecobee is poised to support the new universal smart home standard called Matter. This standard, founded by Google and other industry leaders, aims to make smart devices more interoperable. While some companies have struggled with the complexity of implementing Matter, Ecobee remains committed to open ecosystems.

In terms of energy management, Ecobee has big plans. With the integration of AI and machine learning in its products, the company envisions helping consumers effectively manage their energy usage. As time-of-use rates become more prevalent, along with the increasing adoption of solar and batteries, Ecobee wants to empower users to optimize their energy consumption.

Ultimately, Ecobee aims to disrupt the trillion-dollar energy market and deliver a cleaner, cheaper, and more resilient power system. By focusing on context and leveraging sensor fusion technology, the company believes it can create smarter smart homes that offer better comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency.

While Google Nest also has ambitions in the energy management space, Ecobee’s integrated suite of products and simplified user experience give it an edge. With the support of Generac, the largest seller of home generators in the US, Ecobee is well-positioned to reshape the future of smart home energy management.

In a market flooded with smart home devices, Ecobee stands out as a company that continues to evolve and innovate. Its expansion into the smart doorbell market, along with its commitment to open ecosystems and energy management, solidify its position as a key player to watch in the smart home industry.