Comcast Launches Xfinity Home Control In Michigan

PLYMOUTH (WWJ) -- Comcast, Michigan's No. 1 cable TV provider, Tuesday announced the Michigan launch of Xfinity Home Control, a new product under the Xfinity Home umbrella of services.

Incorporating innovative energy management features, Xfinity Home Control is for customers who want smart home solutions, such as video monitoring, real-time alerts and the ability to either schedule or remotely access lighting and thermostat controls, but do not choose the professional security monitoring that is offered with other Xfinity Home services, which are now called Xfinity Home Secure.

"The future of home automation is now," said Tim Collins, senior vice president for Comcast's Heartland Region. "More and more, today's consumers are embracing home automation services and technologies, particularly those products that allow them to manage their homes anywhere and at any time. Going beyond traditional and competitive offerings, Xfinity Home Control provides customers with the ability to get real-time text and email alerts when doors and windows open or close; watch live streaming video of their home via wireless cameras; and manage home devices, including lights and thermostats remotely or through automated schedules."

Michigan customers will also benefit from new smart-energy management features with the launch of EcoSaver, a new cloud-based system that potentially may help customers reduce their energy use and save money on home utility bills year round. Paired with the Xfinity Home thermostat, the EcoSaver service "learns" a home's unique heating and cooling patterns and makes automatic, incremental adjustments to the thermostat based on real-time weather data, the home's thermal characteristics and the household's temperature preferences. The homeowner maintains full control over the thermostat as, over time, the system adapts to user inputs to help reduce energy while keeping the home comfortable.

"The home control market is growing tremendously, and is being driven by innovative technology, affordability and consumer demand," said Mitch Bowling, senior vice president and general manager of new businesses for Comcast Cable. "With the launch of Xfinity Home Control, we're adding yet another way customers can remotely manage their homes anywhere and at any time."

Comcast continues to enhance its Xfinity Home platform. Last month, Comcast and Osram Sylvania announced an agreement to offer energy efficient light bulbs that can be controlled remotely from anywhere through the Xfinity Home platform.

Xfinity Home is a primary service that takes advantage of the Wi-Fi speeds Comcast delivers. Comcast recently introduced a new wireless gateway that gives customers the nation's fastest wireless speeds with the most coverage throughout the connected home. This is part of Comcast's broader strategy to create the foundation for customers to power their Internet-connected devices and experiences, in and out of the home. By combining Wi-Fi speeds with the latest Xfinity apps, home control technology and other Internet-enabled services, Comcast is giving customers new, simple and convenient ways to take advantage of the speed delivered on its broadband and Wi-Fi networks.

"A high percentage of our Xfinity Home customers have never previously had a home security system," Collins said. "Beyond serving as an innovative and affordable way to manage your home, Xfinity Home Control is also finding new applications and potential uses as a cohesive solution in other areas such as home healthcare."

Comcast is offering Xfinity Home Control service starting at only $9.95 per month. A "starter pack" of Xfinity Home Control monitoring equipment is available starting at $99.95.  For more information on Xfinity Home pricing, equipment and features, visit www.Xfinity.com/home.