Building on its Internet of Things initiative, Comcast said it will soon add two new third-party partners/products to its Xfinity Home platform – the Chamberlain MyQ garage door controller, and the Netgear Arlo wireless HD security camera.
Those devices, Comcast said, will join a growing list of third-party devices and systems that can be managed and controlled by the Xfinity Home platform, which includes mobile apps. Comcast expects MyQ to be integrated later this month, and Arlo by early next year. Comcast said it has more than 500,000 Xfinity Home customers.
The Chamberlain and Netgear components are being added to the mix as Comcast moves forward with a plan that will enable Xfinity Home, its cloud-based smart home/security platform, to work with outside vendors as well as with a new line of next-gen products that Comcast is developing in-house.
In May at the INTX show in Chicago, Comcast announced it was building a software development kit for Xfinity Home and would later launch a “Works with Xfinity Home” certification program. At the time, Comcast also announced plans to integrate with the Nest smart thermostat; August, a maker of smart locks and car adapters (Comcast Ventures is an investor); Cuff (smart jewelry); Leeo (maker of a connected nighlight); Lutron (dimmers, remote controls and battery-powered shade); Rachio (sprinkler controllers); Automatic Labs (car adapters); SkyBell (video doorbells); and Whistle (pet monitors). Comcast Ventures, the V.C. arm of Comcast, also participated in a recent $24 million “B” round in Automatic Labs.
Comcast also continues to work with Icontrol, the MSO’s original Xfinity Home technology partner. At the show, a Comcast official said that the SDK will feature a broad, “super-set” platform that will encompass Icontrol, Comcast’s new internally-developed products, and its grander third-party integration initiative.
“While there are more connected devices available than ever, consumers continue to struggle with the best way to make them work together,” said Dan Herscovici, SVP and GM of Xfinity Home, in a statement. “We’re going to aggregate the best home automation and security features and bring them together in one common, easy-to-use and seamless experience. We’re excited to partner with best-in-class manufactures like Chamberlain and NETGEAR and look forward to adding them to our Xfinity Home platform.”
