Skip to main content

Comcast adds voice commands and new smart-home security camera to Xfinity Home

Looking to expand its already impressive portfolio of services, media giant Comcast announced this week it plans on adding a new Wi-Fi-enabled, indoor/outdoor security camera to its budding smart-home platform, Xfinity Home. Additionally, the company also said it would soon add voice command compatibility to Xfinity Home, allowing users to control a variety of features without having to fumble with a remote. Couple these two big changes with the fact it’s in the process of redesigning its existing smart-home hardware and it’s abundantly clear Comcast is banking on smart-home innovation to be a critical part of its business plan for the future.

Officially dubbed the xCam, Comcast’s new security camera features a weather-resistant seal, 109-degree field of view, and infrared night vision while producing high definition video. Moreover, Comcast plans to route the device’s Wi-Fi signal through the camera’s power source — instead of the camera itself — which should allow a significant boost in range of connection and the ability to place the camera wherever an owner pleases. Other options include around-the-clock video recording, the ability to review footage from up to 10 days prior, and live video-feed access from anywhere users can access their Xfinity Home app or portal.

3 Xfinity Home xCam
Comcast
Comcast
Recommended Videos

“We want to give consumers the best of home automation and security in one, easy-to-use experience,” Xfinity Home senior vice president and general manager Daniel Herscovici said. “Our new camera features great connectivity, wide-angle views, and powerful night vision, delivering clear, high-quality footage. It also interacts with other IoT devices on our platform, like sensors and lights, so people can personalize and automate their connected home.”

Concerning its addition of voice controls, Comcast’s Xfinity Home X1 platform now allows users to say such prompts as, “Xfinity Home Arm” or “Xfinity Home Disarm” to verbally control the arming and disarming of their smart home system. Furthermore, saying something like, “Xfinity Home Cameras” brings a live feed of available security cameras right to an owner’s television or computer screen, giving them the ability to keep an eye on their home no matter where they are.

Available this summer, the xCam is compatible with any Xfinity Home system, however a specific price for the device was not shared at the time of the announcement.

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
Hatch Restore 3 vs. Hatch Restore 2: what’s new on this updated smart alarm clock?
The Hatch Restore 2 on a nightstand.

The Hatch Restore 3 is a wonderful bedside companion. Its primary function is that of a smart alarm clock, but it’s also capable of playing music to help you unwind at night and simulating the sunrise to ease you into the morning. Our Hatch Restore 3 review found it to be one of the best smart alarms on the market -- but how does it compare to the outgoing Hatch Restore 2? More specifically, should current Hatch Restore 2 owners feel obligated to upgrade?

Here's a closer look at the Hatch Restore 3 and Hatch Restore 2 to help you decide if the newer model is worth the investment.
Pricing and availability

Read more
Ring shows off new Kidde smoke alarms and free 2K camera upgrades at CES 2025
A person setting up a Ring Smoke Detector.

Ring made a big -- though rather surprising -- announcement at CES 2025, revealing that it has partnered with Kidde to launch a new collection of smart smoke alarms. Arriving in April, the collection includes the Kidde Smart Smoke Alarm and Combination Alarm, the latter of which detects both smoke and carbon monoxide. They’ll sync with the existing Ring app to send users alerts should anything trigger its sensors, and they should be an enticing option for folks who have already bought into the Ring ecosystem.

While customers will receive alerts via the mobile app, they can also sign up for the new Ring 24/7 Smoke & CO Monitoring Subscription for $5 per month. This is a professional monitoring service that lets a trained dispatch team keep tabs on your detectors -- and if they’re triggered, the dispatch team can automatically contact emergency services and send them to your home. That should provide more peace of mind than your normal smoke alarms, which might ring out loud and clear but can’t alert the fire department.

Read more
Pawport shows off new smart pet door security features at CES 2025
The Pawport pet door installed outside next to a pet mat.

Most smart home gadgets are designed for humans, but the Pawport Smart Pet Door is a bit different. While you can control most of its functions manually, it’s built from the ground up to give your pet an easy way to get in or out of your home -- all while keeping out unwanted guests that might sneak in with traditional pet doors. At CES 2025, the company expanded the system to include a new exterior pet door, creating a two-door system that’s among the most secure pet doors on the market.

Originally shown off at CES 2024, Pawport is a smart pet door that actuates when your pet is trying to leave or enter your home. Using a lightweight waterproof tracker tag and motion sensing, the door (which is installed inside your home) will automatically open when your pet approaches. When it’s not nearby, the door will close to prevent pests, animals, or bad weather from getting inside. The Pawport Smart Pet Door can be mounted indoors over existing pet doors, making it an easy addition to most homes.

Read more