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Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat With Both HomeKit and Built-In Alexa Now Available to Pre-Order For $249

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Ecobee today announced that its next-generation ecobee4 smart thermostat with built-in Amazon Alexa voice services is now available to pre-order for $249 on its website in the United States. Pre-orders are estimated to start shipping on May 15, the same day it will hit shelves at Lowe's, Home Depot, and Best Buy.

ecobee4.png

Like the ecobee3, the ecobee4 continues to support Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, and Samsung's smart home platform SmartThings.

While the ecobee3 also works with Alexa, it can only be controlled by voice using external devices such as the Amazon Echo. The ecobee4, in addition to having a touchscreen and smartphone control, has Alexa built right in with far-field voice technology so that it can hear you from across the room.
Alexa voice service allows customers to simply ask their ecobee4 to adjust the temperature of the home, in addition to the growing list of Alexa skills such as setting a timer, helping plan your commute, or playing the news. Through far-field voice recognition, ecobee4 will conveniently respond to voice commands from anywhere in the room.
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The ecobee4 has a built-in speaker and microphone for Alexa, while its side profile appears to be slightly rounder than the ecobee3. Otherwise, it has identical features and tech specs as the ecobee3.

The ecobee4 comes with a wireless room sensor and supports up to 32 sensors. Ecobee said a companion smart light switch that can measure a room's occupancy and temperature will be released later this year.

The ecobee4, like other smart thermostats, is designed to help homeowners save money by intelligently adjusting the temperature of a home. Room sensors help manage hot and cold spots of a home, and homeowners can easily adjust temperature and comfort settings from a paired iOS or Android device.

The ecobee3 remains available for $199 on sale and $249 regularly.

Article Link: Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat With Both HomeKit and Built-In Alexa Now Available to Pre-Order For $249
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/05/03/ecobee4-now-available-to-preorder/
I love my Ecobee 3, but if it ever dies or I decide to upgrade, ill be switching to nest. I don't want a microphone in my house. Really dumb move on Ecobees part this time around. :(
 
Seems like a 100% HomeKit user has really no benefit other than design on v3 versus v4. I certainly don't see any need to upgrade.
 
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Don't use Alexa, so no interest in this. Wish they would have done more. But like most companies, have to push out a new product when they are still trying to polish the older product (ecobee 3) to make an extra buck.
 
Glad to see the company is making new products but I certainly am sticking with my ecobee3
 
I've never used Nest, but I believe Ecobee3 is the best smart thermostat available.

It's great to see Ecobee continuously updating their line. I'm not an Alexa user, so there's no need for me to update. I wish they would increase the resolution/screen quality of the thermostat though.
 
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Ordered. Goodbye, Nest.
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Macrumorsnazis said:
The wireless sensors need to add support for humidity sensing! I need this functionality!
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Does humidity really differ that much from room to room?
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Derekuda said:
I love my Ecobee 3, but if it ever dies or I decide to upgrade, ill be switching to nest. I don't want a microphone in my house. Really dumb move on Ecobees part this time around. :(
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I would consider maybe a Honeywell then. Nest has really let me down over the years, from poor temperature sensing to modules burning out...don't even get me started on Nest Protect. Ours like to start false alarms at 4 AM on random days.
 
I don't see anyone talking about the light switch. If they make a nice looking switch that works with HomeKit we could have several benefits in one. Powered vs battery, motion detection that could possibly refresh faster than the remotes that today have to save power and a device to control a light via software or automation. Maybe more functions since the power is more available.
 
Derekuda said:
I love my Ecobee 3, but if it ever dies or I decide to upgrade, ill be switching to nest. I don't want a microphone in my house. Really dumb move on Ecobees part this time around. :(
Click to expand...

Do you have iPhones, iPads, or Apple Watches with "Hey, Siri" enabled? If so, you already have always-on microphones in your house. Also, a previous poster mentioned that there is a "privacy mode" that disables Alexa functionality.
 
Is this (or the Ecobee3) going to be available in the UK?

After reading the forums it seems it the homekit thermostat to have
 
I'm sure the next version of Nest; v4 will have all the same upgrades and possibly more. Can't imagine why they didn't have homekit 1st since Tony Fadall came from Apple, and the nest was the 1st smart home thermostat to work with Apple.
 
avanpelt said:
Do you have iPhones, iPads, or Apple Watches with "Hey, Siri" enabled? If so, you already have always-on microphones in your house. Also, a previous poster mentioned that there is a "privacy mode" that disables Alexa functionality.
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Nope. I don't have any of that stuff. Actually an Android user (formally iOS user from years ago, until Steve died and Tim killed innovation, but thats a different topic.) AND No, I don't have "Ok Google" enabled either. I think all voice commands are stupid when it takes me less then a microsecond to push a button.

Glad to hear there is a way to disable Alexa. Amazon already gets enough of my money. LOL
 
Prefer our Nest, only commenting to say wait for Nest to add google home to the next gen Nest, which I won't buy.

I don't understand listening devices, their name is inherently creepy.
 
violentblogger said:
I'm sure the next version of Nest; v4 will have all the same upgrades and possibly more. Can't imagine why they didn't have homekit 1st since Tony Fadall came from Apple, and the nest was the 1st smart home thermostat to work with Apple.
Click to expand...

Nest was purchased by google, you know, the creator of Android. So, no HomeKit anytime soon (or ever).

Sorry, I wish it were not so also.
 
Love my ecobee3, but won't be upgrading to the 4. First off, half the point of buying a smart thermostat is to save money. Those savings get flushed down the toilet if you buy a new version every few years. Second, the only noteworthy addition is Alexa, which I have no use for.

My biggest complaint with my e3 is having to rely on third-party apps for geofencing, but overall it's a really nice thermostat.
 
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