Yamaha adds Alexa support to MusicCast ecosystem

Yamaha has added Alexa voice control to its MusicCast wireless system. Over 40 MusicCast products will now offer full compatibility with Amazon’s various smart home devices.

The MusicCast Smart Home skill supports a preset selection of voice commands that might typically be used to control a MusicCast AV receiver, soundbar, Hi-Fi component and wireless speaker, such as power on/off, volume control, play/pause/skip/previous, mute/unmute and input selection.

The MusicCast skill also offers enhanced control of MusicCast specific functions, such as room linking, multiple room control and playback of Favourites/Playlists. Commands are customised for MusicCast components, for example: "Alexa, ask MusicCast to link the Kitchen with the Living Room.“ If a MusicCast system uses an Echo or Dot as a source, users can request a specific artist, album or song. MusicCast will also allow owners to redistribute a Bluetooth stream to multiple MusicCast products, for simultaneous playback.