Varidesk Parent Introduces Alexa-Controlled Lights

Coppell-based Gemmy Industries is an innovator in the area of novelties and animation, and brought the world Big Mouth Billy Bass.

Gemmy

Coppell-based Gemmy Industries has introduced Light Rhapsody, a Alexa-controlled light string that allows the user to manipulate the lights using only their voice.

Users will be able to have a range of command options from color to themes to effects, according to Gemmy, the parent of Varidesk, a leading maker of standing desks and related products.

The product is available exclusively on Amazon and comes in two styles — a set of 24 classic C-9 lightbulbs or a set of 24 mini-lights.

“You can instantly change colors and effects just by asking Alexa. It is the ultimate convenience.”
Steven Harris

The lights strings offer 25 different color options and 130 lighting effects, which includes a pre-programmed Christmas Lightshow.

Gemmy said that once paired with an Amazon Echo device via Bluetooth, the user can control color and lighting options by asking Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. 

“You can instantly change colors and effects just by asking Alexa. It is the ultimate convenience,” said Steven Harris, vice president of product development at Gemmy Industries, in a release.

Soon, Light Rhapsody will be able to illuminate when Amazon Music is playing on a connected Echo device, according to Gemmy. 

In September, Business Insider reported Gemmy also would be connecting its signature Big Mouth Billy Bass to Alexa enabling it to lip sync and dance as music plays. 

Founded in 1984, Gemmy has been a leading innovator in the fields of novelites and animation with such products as Big Mouth Billy Bass, Pete the Repeat Parrott, and Douglas Fir. Varidesk also started as a Gemmy product, before splitting off into its own company in 2013. 

Varidesk CEO Jason McCann and Chairman Dan Flaherty, co-founders of Varidesk, recently were recognized as EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 winners in the Emerging category for the U.S.

“Even though our names are on the award, we give credit to our teams at VARIDESK and Gemmy — two vastly different companies that share a commitment to fostering new and innovative ideas,” McCann said in the November release. 

READ MORE

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