voice-controlled thermostat by google (Honeywell)

new thermostat lets users issue voice commands to adjust the heating in their homes Honeywell is turning up the heat on its rival Google Nest with the launch of the UK's first voice-controlled thermostat. The new technology allows users to adjust the temperature in their homes simply by saying "hello, thermostat", followed by a voice command such as "make it warmer" or "make it much cooler". Upon installation the thermostat immediately recognises the homeowner's voice and adjusts the temperature setting based on their request. Far-field voice-control technology helps to cut through the ambient noise of a busy household and recognize these commands.

"Now people can simply speak to their thermostat and it responds by changing their heating relevant to how they feel." The thermostat links to the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app,which allows users to control their home heating remotely from an iPhone or Android smartphone. Because the platform learns via crowd sourcing, it will get smarter over time with the addition of more commands based on its interactions with homeowners. The Honeywell voice-controlled thermostat is priced from £229 and is available to order within the UK via the Honeywell Installer Network. Earlier this year it emerged that Google is working to integrate Google Now into Nest's products - including its smart thermostat, allowing users to set the temperature in their homes using voice commands. There are already a number of hacks that allow Android users to push voice commands through Google Now to the Nest app in order to adjust the temperature in their homes. Honeywell also recently launched a Nest-like thermostat called Single Zone that allows customers to control their home heating with their smartphones.