What’s the role of voice as a user interface in the smart home? With that question in mind, I eagerly unwrapped the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Voice Control, which lets me control a thermostat by shouting (or just speaking). As devices go this one worked as advertised but the overall experience with voice was a bit of a let down, especially given the $349 price tag.

You can control your thermostat from your couch. Or maybe your bed, after you are snuggled up under your covers and realize you forgot to turn it down for the night. This is hugely convenient. But it’s not some kind of magical experience that’s likely to get people to trade in their current thermostats like the Nest has. Frankly it doesn’t even have the great design or the intelligence the Nest has (or as good a name). It is programmable and has an…