Snap One Inks Exclusive Josh.ai Distribution Pact, Updates Control4 Driver

Snap One announced an exclusive distribution agreement with voice platform company Josh.ai, and it updated the Josh.ai driver in the Control4 database, making it Control4-certified and compatible with the company’s Simple Device Discovery Protocol. The driver can import Control4 lighting scenes and offers deeper integration with music streaming services including Pandora, SiriusXM and Tidal, said Snap One Monday. Control4 clients will be able to control their connected devices in every room using "natural" language without requiring a professional installer to pre-program macros, Snap said. It gave the example of a user saying, “Ok Josh, turn on the lights, open the shades halfway, and listen to Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones.” Josh.ai listens to the request, understands it's coming from the kitchen and identifies which lights and shades to control and which content to search for on Tidal; the Control4 controller activates the hardware to make it all happen, Snap said. As part of the agreement, Josh.ai-certified Control4 dealers in the U.S. and Canada will soon be able to purchase Josh.ai hardware and software through the Control4 Portal, it said.