Z-Wave is the simpler, but ultimately a proprietary protocol, with chips only available from one company. Zigbee is the more flexible, open protocol with chips available from multiple manufacturers, and can be configured for any short-range wireless task, but it uses the crowded 2.4GHz band.

The new Echo Plus includes a built-in Zigbee hub, perhaps for that reason. Hue, for example, uses the Zigbee standard, so other devices supporting this can work alongside them, such as Tradfri, the Ikea lighting system.

*  Android News

* Android Distribution numbers…Nougat is now the largest single distribution at 28.5% and Oreo clears 1%

* Introducing Android KTX

* February patches available for Pixel and Nexus devices.

* App News

* Add Any Widget to Android Auto

* In Other News

* Google Home will play white noise.

* Ajit Pai uses data from before he became FCC Chairman to indicate that the net neutrality repeal worked.