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Smart Home devices

Kev D · 282 · 14307

nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #90 on: December 30, 2018, 03:29:24 PM
Hey, someone changed the title to this topic. Better this way!!!

What are your favorite smart home items?

I love my Hue Lights in combination with HomeKit. Everything works completely automated. Never coming home in a dark house, lights go on with motion sensors etc.

I'm at this point that I don't know what to automate next.

Done so far:

* Lights
* Heating
* Sensors on all doors and windows
* Thermometers
* Plants humidity sensors
* Smart Outlets
* Streaming music throughout the whole house and garden
* Voice controls by Siri and Google
* Doorbell
* Cameras

I think I'm pretty much done.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2018, 04:46:01 PM by Serena »


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #91 on: December 30, 2018, 03:51:31 PM
Looks like Whoey changed the name of the thread.

So far I have ...

Heating
Hot water
Room Thermostat
A few Lights and lamps
Socket outlets using smart plugs
Door bell
Room sensors
Music streaming through the whole house and soon the garage.
Voice control of FireTV in 3 rooms

What are you using for music streaming outside?


fr Offline Whoey

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #92 on: December 30, 2018, 04:34:56 PM
I thought it made more sense since we were talking about both Alexa and Home devices...

I still don't have anything setup really
The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer.


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #93 on: December 30, 2018, 04:41:58 PM
Looks like Whoey changed the name of the thread.

So far I have ...

Heating
Hot water
Room Thermostat
A few Lights and lamps
Socket outlets using smart plugs
Door bell
Room sensors
Music streaming through the whole house and soon the garage.
Voice control of FireTV in 3 rooms

What are you using for music streaming outside?
Yes, I forgot the doorbell.

I have an AirPort Express in the Patio with some big computer speakers connected to it. I can airPlay my music like that. Did that also in the bedroom and the study.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2018, 04:46:29 PM by Serena »


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #94 on: December 30, 2018, 05:05:17 PM
I thought it made more sense since we were talking about both Alexa and Home devices...


Good idea  :tu:


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #95 on: December 30, 2018, 05:06:39 PM
Looks like Whoey changed the name of the thread.

So far I have ...

Heating
Hot water
Room Thermostat
A few Lights and lamps
Socket outlets using smart plugs
Door bell
Room sensors
Music streaming through the whole house and soon the garage.
Voice control of FireTV in 3 rooms

What are you using for music streaming outside?
Yes, I forgot the doorbell.

I have an AirPort Express in the Patio with some big computer speakers connected to it. I can airPlay my music like that. Did that also in the bedroom and the study.

I want a battery base for the 3rd gen dot like they do for the 2nd gen then will just take the garage one outside


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #96 on: December 30, 2018, 05:08:48 PM
Looks like Whoey changed the name of the thread.

So far I have ...

Heating
Hot water
Room Thermostat
A few Lights and lamps
Socket outlets using smart plugs
Door bell
Room sensors
Music streaming through the whole house and soon the garage.
Voice control of FireTV in 3 rooms

What are you using for music streaming outside?
Yes, I forgot the doorbell.

I have an AirPort Express in the Patio with some big computer speakers connected to it. I can airPlay my music like that. Did that also in the bedroom and the study.

I want a battery base for the 3rd gen dot like they do for the 2nd gen then will just take the garage one outside
That'll work I think. My music works with Apple HomeKit and AirPlay. Downstairs there are two HomePods.
The Google mini does stream radio, but the sound quality is mwah…


wales Offline Smashie

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #97 on: December 30, 2018, 05:24:51 PM
Well my damn echo is conspiring against me, it's what screwed up my hive controller and it lost it's connection and it wont come back.

It's now in the bin  :twak:
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” - Socrates
"I'm not feeling very talky today, off you smurf". - Smashie
Complaining is mental preparation for failure.
Si vis pacem, para bellum


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #98 on: December 30, 2018, 05:26:42 PM
Well my damn echo is conspiring against me, it's what screwed up my hive controller and it lost it's connection and it wont come back.

It's now in the bin  :twak:
There isn't a hard reset button on it?


wales Offline Smashie

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #99 on: December 30, 2018, 05:32:38 PM
I've tried all that Serena, I use Alexa all the time, but after two years I think mine is smurfed. I'll look at replacing it.

At least I found out why my heating and lights were messed up.
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” - Socrates
"I'm not feeling very talky today, off you smurf". - Smashie
Complaining is mental preparation for failure.
Si vis pacem, para bellum


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #100 on: December 30, 2018, 07:38:23 PM
The dots are 20 quid off at the mo so it's a good time to buy


wales Offline Smashie

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #101 on: December 30, 2018, 07:56:57 PM
The dots are 20 quid off at the mo so it's a good time to buy

yeah I've got one arriving tomorrow apparently
“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” - Socrates
"I'm not feeling very talky today, off you smurf". - Smashie
Complaining is mental preparation for failure.
Si vis pacem, para bellum


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #102 on: December 30, 2018, 09:02:27 PM
Mine doesn't arrive until Jan 30th . They have been so popular this xmas delivery is slow.  I'm not in any hurry, it's cold in the garage this time of year.

A lot of people will be pissed off to learn apple music isn't enabled on them in the UK yet. It's currently US only. 


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #103 on: December 31, 2018, 08:26:23 AM
Apple Music also isn't enabled on the Google Mini. But then again, I use AirPlay throughout the house with the HomePods and AirPorts. Would have been nice though…


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #104 on: December 31, 2018, 11:25:21 AM
It's supposed to be coming to the echoes soon, no idea about the Google one though.
« Last Edit: December 31, 2018, 11:27:39 AM by Kev D »


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #105 on: January 03, 2019, 06:41:09 PM
With some very sharp Ebay fu and some Christmas money, I have snagged a Google Home hub, couple Google home minis (the 2 cheaper than what one should cost :cheers: ) and I did get a Chromecast at Walmart :tu: The minis wont be here for a few more days but I do have the hub and chromecast hooked up and working with my phone :cheers: really is easy to setup so far :tu: hope the minis set up as easy ::) :D


us Offline MadPlumbarian

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #106 on: January 03, 2019, 07:01:33 PM
I saw this like last year and the Mrs wanted to get it for the one furball, yet now we have two, but the other week I saw this little jig, I’d say this falls under smart, cause instead of buying a 20something device you just get a cheap mini broom head! We’re going to the store later so I can see what they got!
JR
"The-Mad-Plumbarian" The Punisher Of Pipes!!! JR
As I sit on my Crapper Throne in the Reading Room and explode on the Commode, thinking, how my flush beat John’s and Jerry’s pair? Jack’s had to run for the Water Closet yet ended up tripping on a Can bowing and hitting his Head on the Porcelain God! 🚽


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #107 on: January 03, 2019, 07:40:45 PM
I wouldn't call a brush stuck to a wall a smart home device. Smart thinking yes, but far from a smart home device.


us Offline MadPlumbarian

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #108 on: January 03, 2019, 07:46:30 PM
I wouldn't call a brush stuck to a wall a smart home device. Smart thinking yes, but far from a smart home device.
Well that’s what I meant, smart idea, I think I’ll put one up for myself for those itches you just can’t reach, lol..
JR
"The-Mad-Plumbarian" The Punisher Of Pipes!!! JR
As I sit on my Crapper Throne in the Reading Room and explode on the Commode, thinking, how my flush beat John’s and Jerry’s pair? Jack’s had to run for the Water Closet yet ended up tripping on a Can bowing and hitting his Head on the Porcelain God! 🚽


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #109 on: January 03, 2019, 07:48:45 PM
I wouldn't call a brush stuck to a wall a smart home device. Smart thinking yes, but far from a smart home device.
Well that’s what I meant, smart idea, I think I’ll put one up for myself for those itches you just can’t reach, lol..
JR

I'd put up 2 so you don't get them fighting over 1


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #110 on: January 03, 2019, 07:49:11 PM
I have been wondering about the smart bulbs as well :think:  what are the thoughts on those  :think:


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #111 on: January 03, 2019, 07:54:28 PM
I have been wondering about the smart bulbs as well :think:  what are the thoughts on those  :think:

I have a few of those, mostly in lamps.  They are great if you want easily dimmable lamps. If you get the dual colour warm white/cool white they are also great for switching between a relaxing light or clean light to read.

I've got one of the 5 colour ones, but only used the colours for xmas light in my porch and set it up to change every few mins


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #112 on: January 03, 2019, 07:57:37 PM
I have been wondering about the smart bulbs as well :think:  what are the thoughts on those  :think:
Every bulb in my house is a smart hulb.
I never come home in a dark house. Lights automatically turn on when the sun sets. They are all voice controlled. I love them!!!
« Last Edit: January 03, 2019, 07:59:48 PM by Serena »


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #113 on: January 03, 2019, 07:59:24 PM
I use HomeBridge to add some cheap stuff to HomeKit. A new thermometer arrived today. Really tiny from Xiaomi.
Now Siri can also tell me the temperature in the backyard.


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #114 on: January 03, 2019, 08:00:04 PM
I use the plugs on fans to switch those on and off and not have to keep getting up.  I've got a couple of spares that I haven't decided what to use on yet.  When I take my xmas decorations down it'll free up a few more to.  They are really great but have limited use for me at the mo.

I like how you can program routines for them and link them to other sensors.  Like I have a sensor that tells my system to turn on the light when I walk in the front door


nl Offline Serena

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #115 on: January 03, 2019, 08:05:43 PM
I have a lot of uses for the smart plugs.

* electronic blanket
* rgb led strips
* lamps with 'strange' bulbs
* fans
* pegboard with lights
* Christmas lights
* speakers
* outdoor lights (plug in garage)


In my place really everything is automated. Lights go on when I arrive, turn off when I leave.
Heating turns on and off on the same base.
When I'm at home lights turn on based on sunset.
Etc etc etc


us Offline MadPlumbarian

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #116 on: January 03, 2019, 08:07:17 PM
All my bulbs used to be fluorescent, but after our move we switched every bulb to led, even the outside ones,
JR
"The-Mad-Plumbarian" The Punisher Of Pipes!!! JR
As I sit on my Crapper Throne in the Reading Room and explode on the Commode, thinking, how my flush beat John’s and Jerry’s pair? Jack’s had to run for the Water Closet yet ended up tripping on a Can bowing and hitting his Head on the Porcelain God! 🚽


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #117 on: January 03, 2019, 08:25:20 PM
So now I have even more to think about than before :ahhh I was thinking of getting some of the wifi indoor floods for some of the different can lights throughout the house and like the idea of being able to turn separate ones that are on the same switch on and off or dim certain ones :like:


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #118 on: January 03, 2019, 08:27:06 PM
Plus none of the cans are LED yet but the rest of the house bulbs are :cheers:


england Offline Kev D

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Re: Smart Home devices
Reply #119 on: January 03, 2019, 08:49:12 PM
Just do a little bit at a time, new stuff is coming out all the time


 

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