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Non Tool Forum => Gadget Freak and EDC Forum => Topic started by: Kev D on November 05, 2018, 04:58:14 PM

Title: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 05, 2018, 04:58:14 PM
Anyone have an amazon echo?

I'm toying with getting a couple. The 3rd generation dot for my bedroom and the 2nd generation echo for my living room, with a base speaker to go with it.  I listen to a lot of internet radio, mostly the station my friend runs so it would make it easier to listen to other than on my phone.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Steinar on November 05, 2018, 07:02:21 PM
I have co-worker who is very happy with his. Personally, I really dislike the privacy aspect of voice recognition in the cloud. Each to his own.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Smashie on November 05, 2018, 07:10:31 PM
I've got one, I never use it any more. Internet radio I can do from my computer or phone direct to the Hi-Fi.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 06, 2018, 09:04:24 AM
My hi-fi just about runs on steam. It's so old it even has a cassette player on it.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Gareth on November 06, 2018, 09:30:00 AM
I'm interested to hear about this topic myself.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: hiraethus on November 06, 2018, 09:41:49 AM
My hi-fi just about runs on steam. It's so old it even has a cassette player on it.

Chromecast Audio. :tu:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Smashie on November 06, 2018, 09:59:41 AM
My hi-fi just about runs on steam. It's so old it even has a cassette player on it.

Yup, so does mine, it does have an aux input on it though. This is connected to an Airport express (or an appletv) so I can stream from my phone, tablet or pc. I use the app tunein Radio on all three.

Although no cassette  :rofl:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ironraven on November 06, 2018, 03:06:08 PM
I don't have one, but several of my friends do.

I love how Amazon designed it not to lie. So it turns off if you ask if it records everything or reports to the government.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 07, 2018, 04:46:45 PM
At least the fixed the random giggling that freaked people out in the middle of the night

When I get mine I expect it at some time to tell me for the love of god to stop snoring  :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: dks on November 07, 2018, 05:31:23 PM
A wife can do that too
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 15, 2018, 11:11:29 AM
They recently launched in Spain, and for a few weeks, there was a 35% discount on the whole range, although they still don't have all the devices available elsewhere. I did briefly consider getting a dot.

I ended up trying to setup google assistant on my RPi which I did manage to get working, sort of... it requires a USB mic or USB soundcard with a mic input. One guide suggested using an old USB webcam as they usually have a mic integrated, and that's what I used to test. There are so many guides, and some of the parts of the procedure have changed slightly, it can easily get a little confusing, but in the end, I managed to get it to trigger using the "Ok Google" and get it to tell me the time. I didn't really have time to carry on playing with it at that time so I left it at that stage. I suppose there are some additional steps to get it to run automatically without having it hooked up to a screen, keyboard and mouse, and I would like to have a proper power switch (to avoid unplugging each time I want to restart/power off) as well as the AIY kit push to talk switch included in the kit. I now see there are some more complete images out there that might have saved me a few steps coming from the clean NOOBS install.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 16, 2018, 06:32:25 AM
I just ordered my devices in the black Friday sales.

The echo dot 3rd gen are 50% off and the echo 2nd gen are 35% off at the mo. So I got both for less than the normal price of just the echo.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 16, 2018, 12:33:17 PM
that just made me look, and 3rd gen dot is 42% off here now... regular 59.99 eur, currently 34.99 eur
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 16, 2018, 01:44:13 PM
Correction full size echo are 39% off, I was wrong.  I was correct with the dot though
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 16, 2018, 03:40:44 PM
only dot 3rd gen on sale here.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: microbe on November 16, 2018, 03:57:06 PM
I have Google Home for over a year now (I used a UK version in Spain) I added a Chromecast for my TV, and a Chromecasr Audio for my old receiver. I also added a couple of Philips Hue lights that can be controlled by Google Home. Even if not optimal, I like this tech a lot. I use it to get the weather forecast, to tell me the time, to turn on/off TV, to stream music to the stereo direct from Google home, or from my mobile, to turn on/off the living room lights, to set a 10 minute timer to cook pasta, to tell me the news, and the list goes on. The biggest letdown for me is that I cannot set a custom call name for it. I would rather say "Hey Natasha" if I wanted to start the service, then the boring and idiot sounding "Hey Google".
(https://i.imgur.com/9EbIEsZ.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 16, 2018, 04:05:12 PM
I already have amazon prime and music unlimited and I have the hive heating control system at home, with my heating, a couple of lights and sockets on it, that the echo is also compatible with, so the echo was the way for me to go.  It's just a shame amazon and google fell out over the you tube thing, which means I don't think I can have it play you tube videos on my fire tv sticks.

My mum lives with me and since I told her all about them she wanted one to, so I've bought her a dot for her room.

That's the weekends entertainment sorted, they all arrive tomorrow.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 16, 2018, 06:57:26 PM
The trigger word limitation is probably the silliest thing but also the thing that turns me off picking between them

Amazon has 4 base options: alexa, amazon, echo, computer

While google has the basic integration there now it's not enabled yet so you get either: hey google, ok google

Yet as seen here you can setup alexa on your own device to have both custom keyword and reply: https://blog.hackster.io/l3-37-droid-from-solo-recreated-as-an-amazon-alexa-3d1946d28cf1
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: microbe on November 16, 2018, 07:34:20 PM
The trigger word limitation is probably the silliest thing but also the thing that turns me off picking between them

Amazon has 4 base options: alexa, amazon, echo, computer

While google has the basic integration there now it's not enabled yet so you get either: hey google, ok google

Yet as seen here you can setup alexa on your own device to have both custom keyword and reply: https://blog.hackster.io/l3-37-droid-from-solo-recreated-as-an-amazon-alexa-3d1946d28cf1

Hacking a software dev kit is not something anyone can pull off. 
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ThePeacent on November 16, 2018, 08:13:43 PM
They recently launched in Spain, and for a few weeks, there was a 35% discount on the whole range, although they still don't have all the devices available elsewhere. I did briefly consider getting a dot.


guess which Spaniard got one  :whistle: :D

(https://i.imgur.com/6z70vmU.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on November 16, 2018, 08:15:08 PM
That must be a hell of a box if you need that many knives to open it!  :ahhh

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ThePeacent on November 16, 2018, 08:19:00 PM
That must be a hell of a box if you need that many knives to open it!  :ahhh

Def

it was  :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 16, 2018, 08:43:32 PM


guess which Spaniard got one  :whistle: :D

(https://i.imgur.com/6z70vmU.jpg?1)

 :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 16, 2018, 09:47:08 PM
The more I see that L3 alexa, the more I think about repurposing my rpi, at least then you can do custom keywords
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on November 16, 2018, 10:09:09 PM
You can put that interactive software on a Pi?  ??? :o
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 17, 2018, 11:16:15 AM
You can put that interactive software on a Pi?  ??? :o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4KK212-Jss

The voice bit is "Amazon Voice Service SDK on a Raspberry Pi"

Movements are Arduino powered, but he says only because he didn't take time to learn the pinouts of the rpi, as it should be possible to run it all there...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 17, 2018, 05:17:00 PM
My echoes all arrived this morning and are all set up.  Setup was really simple using the Alexa app on my phone. I'm really impressed with them and the sound quality from the dot is better than expected to.

As for wake up words,  there are only 4 choices at the moment,  Alexa, Echo, Computer and Amazon.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ThePeacent on November 17, 2018, 06:31:26 PM
yes, easy peasy to install and set up.  :salute:
next step...skills!  :popcorn:

(https://i.imgur.com/LgBJkA4.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 17, 2018, 06:56:25 PM
I've only setup the hive skill so far.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 17, 2018, 07:01:01 PM
yeah afaik you have to use a custom device to have anything other than the default 4 keywords.

I wonder if it's possible to use the SDK on an actual device...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 23, 2018, 04:05:59 PM
I've had them almost a week now and I am impressed with both the sound quality and responsiveness to commands.  So much so that I just ordered another 3rd gen dot for the kitchen/diner while they are still 50% off in the sales.

I'm loving how easy it is to set up groups so you can just tell one to play on an everywhere group and the same music then plays throughout the whole house while I do the dreaded housework.

Edit: Amazon UK has had such a rush on them that orders for Dots won't be fulfilled now until at least Dec 27th, so I'm glad a local shop has some at the same discounted sales price.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 23, 2018, 04:16:01 PM
I did have a brain fart this morning when trying to get my daily work alarm to switch off on the dot in my bedroom. I was already up and about and heard it from downstairs. After trying to get it to stop I ended up having to unplug it.  It was only afterwards that I remembered I'd changed the command word back to Alexa and had been calling it Echo and wondering why it wouldn't do anything  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 23, 2018, 06:01:28 PM
Both google home mini and amazon echo dot are half price over here, so rather than 59.99 eur they're on for 29.99

It's a struggle not to snap up one, but the money is likely better spent elsewhere.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on November 24, 2018, 11:53:28 PM
I drank the Kool Aid today and picked up the Google Home Mini.  For $34 I couldn't pass it up.  Megan has been listening to music on it pretty much since we got it home.  I'm guessing it is a success.

One problem I have noticed- I set multiple timers on it and labeled them things like potatoes or bread.  It acknowledged the name of each timer, but wouldn't tell me what time was going off at each time when it did, so I wasn't sure if the imaginary potatoes or the imaginary bread was ready.

Not a huge deal as I tend to cook visually for most things and only use timers occasionally, and only for reference.

Otherwise I think it is a huge success.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 25, 2018, 12:05:52 PM
I'm still on the fence about which to go with. :facepalm:

Everything I've read recently seems to hint at the hardware on the echo being better, 4 mics vs 2, minijack audio out for connection to more powerful speakers, works as a standalone Bluetooth speaker, control buttons clear and visible on the top.

I did see a video of 2 home minis paired to output stereo audio which I thought was pretty neat.

I guess I'll stay in my usual state of indecision until the sales end, and end up with neither. I suppose I'll just have to build my RPI up with both systems as a trial and grab one during next year's sales... :facepalm:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 25, 2018, 04:31:27 PM
I picked up my other dot this morning when out grocery shopping.  It's set up in the kitchen now and paired in a multi room music group with the one in my living room. So you can use them separately or as a grouped pair.

It's a bit finicky to play as a group though.  If I tell it to play music on the downstairs group it does it straight away. If I tell it to play a tune in radio station it tells me it can't find the group. If I tell it to play music, then tell it to play a tune in radio station it switches over perfectly.  I'll figure it out soon.

The more I learn about them the better they are.  It would be perfect if Amazon and Google would play nice so I could tell it to play you tube vids on the firestick as well.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Gareth on November 25, 2018, 07:45:55 PM
My echoes all arrived this morning and are all set up.  Setup was really simple using the Alexa app on my phone. I'm really impressed with them and the sound quality from the dot is better than expected to.

As for wake up words,  there are only 4 choices at the moment,  Alexa, Echo, Computer and Amazon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShY6xZWVGE
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 25, 2018, 07:51:01 PM
that's exactly what came to mind for me when I read that keyword... lol
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on November 25, 2018, 08:02:20 PM
How did I know what movie that clip was from despite only seeing the left half of the title screen?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on November 25, 2018, 08:41:41 PM
We have four at the moment, one in the bedroom, one in the living room, the little guys got one in his, and the older kid has one of the larger ones, what he does idk cause he takes it with him to just play music, “but” we’re suppose to get a newer one delivered today, this way we get it for our bedroom and the old one goes to the kitchen so the Mrs has one to listen to when she’s cooking. But it’s great cause we can just sit here and “drop in” on the little guy when he’s up in his room, no need to call him or scream upstairs to ask him something or get him to come down, we used to have it also setup for the older kid but that changed when he just uses it for music. We don’t use it to order anything, just more like info.

We did play a prank once, back when we had only one and it was in our bedroom back at our apartment, our neighbor had 3 young daughters and they loved the thing, they’d run in asking it to play whatever song they could think of, but, as the Mrs was talking with their mom and she thought it was enough and wanted to go home, the Mrs would type a little something for the eco to say, so it would say like “hey blank, blank, blank(saying their names), I think I’ve had enough of your junky music, get out of here! Then the three of them would come running down the hall to mom :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh oh was it funny!
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 25, 2018, 09:39:49 PM
You can tell one to broadcast whatever message you want and it will be played on every echo in your house, e.g. Alexa, broadcast dinner is ready
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 26, 2018, 02:40:41 AM
seems dots are back ordered for 2-3 weeks now via amazon Spain

Also looking at using Jasper or Mycroft with my pi
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 26, 2018, 08:16:11 AM
They are here as well on Amazon. Some of the local retailers still have a few but most are sold out now until after Dec 27th. 

Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on November 26, 2018, 08:53:24 AM
I guess it’s good we got ours, we got one of the newer ones which was a few more but still on sale yet the Mrs had a coupon and we only had to pay like $10, and yet it was delivered today on a Sunday.. weird..
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 26, 2018, 01:19:55 PM
Amazon deliver 7 days a week up to 9pm at night nowadays
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 26, 2018, 01:24:08 PM
I've got one of these hangers on the way for my kitchen dot to keep it tidy and out of the way. I have an above counter socket I want to plug it in to so this is the ideal solution for the location
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: dks on December 18, 2018, 01:32:21 PM
Got one a couple of weeks ago, dot, after a few drinks at a friend's house.

They are cheap, but can do several things. I like to use the shoping list (stays on your phone with the app) and to do list options, some music, quick weather, quick searches, timers, alarm, and fun.

You can also have it from your phone.

For the cost of it, under 25 euro it is definitely worth it. How usefull it becomes depends on whether you want it to have access to your calendar, contacts, basically al that google has access to already really.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 18, 2018, 02:05:03 PM
I'm really loving mine, I use them mostly for listening to music on and operating my smart home devices. The dot in my bedroom is also my alarm clock and my old jbl ontime has been retired. I originally wanted the sub woofer to go with the standard one in my living room but I am more than happy with just the standard speaker in it. 

The intercom (drop in) feature is also very handy for around the house.

Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on December 18, 2018, 02:28:10 PM
You couldn't pay me to install one of these. :whistle:

Actually maybe that is not the right way to say this?

People pay me to install these.........and you couldn't pay me to have one. :rant:

Last year I did a big house with several in it controlling the doors,TV,music,lighting and some other automation and once I had it working pretty much I was standing there when their Neice came in and everyone greeted Alexis except Alexa who was just pretty much confused! :oops:

Apparently this never occurred to anyone as a potential problem?  :dunno:

You can change the name the thing responds to too but they didn't want to and now every time both are in the house they think it is hilarious! :hatsoff:

It is pretty amusing.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 19, 2018, 11:41:50 AM
I've switched follow up mode off on the one in my living room. Last night I told it to turn off the Xmas lights, and while it was still listening in follow up mode the show on the TV used the word broadcast followed by whatever it said, which then made every echo in the house say whatever the TV show had just said, at whatever volume the particular echo was set at, including the one in my mums room, which had the effect of waking her up and scaring the crap out of her.

I only realised it happened when I heard the kitchen one say it. Mum wasn't impressed at all, I found it quite funny though  :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on December 19, 2018, 01:57:39 PM
Talk about First World Problems! :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 19, 2018, 02:33:56 PM
Talk about First World Problems! :like:

Isn't it just  :rofl:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on December 19, 2018, 11:46:10 PM
Here’s something a little funny concerning one,
The Mrs was going out to dinner with a friend, so she asks the one in the living room to drop in on the little guys up in his room so she could say goodbye, well, he unplugged the one on the living room to plug something else in to charge, yet the one in the kitchen overheard her but not word for word, so it said something else and she got mad and told it to shut up, only thing is it heard something else and says back, “I don’t know of a Alexa bathroom shut up” :doh:
She looks at me and was like whatever,
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 20, 2018, 02:07:23 PM
We are really liking the Google Home Mini so far.  So much in fact that everyone is getting a Home Mini for Christmas.  :D

My brother has gotten Alexa for his house, but I think I may send one of my nephews a Home Mini for Christmas so they can duke it out head to head.  :D

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on December 20, 2018, 02:45:31 PM
alexa dots are now backordered until late feb via amazon.es

I probably should have grabbed one of each minis when they were on the black friday sale...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 20, 2018, 06:33:27 PM
I have Siri, does that count?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on December 20, 2018, 07:06:41 PM
I have Siri, does that count?
I have Google Assistant. :shrug:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 21, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Stories like this are hilarious:

https://gizmodo.com/the-amazon-alexa-eavesdropping-nightmare-came-true-1831231490?fbclid=IwAR2OKUQ0IJBiobwGWT21FrbONAvNKY2DcdPTIdP5-Gmnb4B4173DjbkXQqo

A magazine, trying to get a story decided to stalk this poor bugger rather than simply writing about the concerns and respecting this person's privacy.  It was a mistake on behalf of Amazon- these things happen, especially with new technology.  I'm not saying it was right, but it was, in my opinion at least, made much worse by someone desperate to make a name for themselves by writing a story to take a shot at a giant.

I also wonder if there is any potential legal issues for the Amazon user who realized he received the improper information, then willingly passed that info on to another party?

Again, in my opinion, it isn't the tech that is bad, it is the lack of decency on behalf of the users, and society in general.   :facepalm:

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: dks on December 22, 2018, 02:54:01 PM
ALEXA rules!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on December 22, 2018, 03:44:50 PM
I read this the other day just after I sold a few of these course?

https://www.vanco1.com/spot-for-dot/

Not in a Strip Club either.........this time.

https://www.cepro.com/article/is_it_illegal_to_install_a_hidden_smart_speaker?utm_source=CEPWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=content&eid=344677342&bid=2331592
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 22, 2018, 11:56:57 PM
I had a huge laugh at the Google Home Mini yesterday.  I was supposed to pick up Megan, on my way by the house, and she wasn't responding to text messages or answering her phone.  I assumed she was listening to music on the Home Mini, so I used the Broadcast feature to break into the music and ask her if she was ok.

Scared the crap out of her as it records my voice on the phone and plays the recording on its speaker.

Now I have to resist the urge to get it to say something creepy in the middle of the night!

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on December 23, 2018, 12:08:53 AM
I had a huge laugh at the Google Home Mini yesterday.  I was supposed to pick up Megan, on my way by the house, and she wasn't responding to text messages or answering her phone.  I assumed she was listening to music on the Home Mini, so I used the Broadcast feature to break into the music and ask her if she was ok.

Scared the crap out of her as it records my voice on the phone and plays the recording on its speaker.

Now I have to resist the urge to get it to say something creepy in the middle of the night!

Def
Oh it’s good, just like the little story I posted a little bit ago about the Mrs and the neighbors kids, that was fun!
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 23, 2018, 12:41:53 AM
Just imagine drifting off to sleep in a quiet house, then hearing a creepy, disembodied voice saying "I liiiiike to watch you ssssleeeeeeeepppp."

She'd never sleep again!   :ahhh

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on December 23, 2018, 12:45:22 AM
Just imagine drifting off to sleep in a quiet house, then hearing a creepy, disembodied voice saying "I liiiiike to watch you ssssleeeeeeeepppp."

She'd never sleep again!   :ahhh

Def
Lol :rofl:
Yeah but would be so good to get recorded, lol..
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 23, 2018, 10:00:40 AM
My house is completely filled with Apple stuff, including the HomePods. But on the second floor there's no one to 'talk' to for turning on the lights.
I can get a Home Mini for €39,-. Go for it?
Domotics are Hue and Ikea Trådfri lights.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on December 23, 2018, 11:20:33 AM
use your phone?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 23, 2018, 11:55:50 AM
Bought it…

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181223/d80cac61398e4b73fa1e18cf32c02419.jpg)

My phone is mostly not in my pocket when I'm at home, it just lays on the coffee table.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 23, 2018, 12:23:20 PM
If you're  all apple why didn't you buy one of their pods? Or don't they do a small cheap version?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 23, 2018, 01:00:47 PM
If you're  all apple why didn't you buy one of their pods? Or don't they do a small cheap version?
I do own two HomePods. They're actually not available in The Netherlands, but I live near to Germany. But way too expensive for upstairs.
But a HomePod costs €349,- and this Mini €39,-.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on December 23, 2018, 02:07:54 PM
I am looking forward to hearing your thought!

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 23, 2018, 03:26:26 PM
For now I like it. Too bad there's no Apple Music on it, but everything else works great. Especially nice because I can speak Dutch. With the HomePods I stil l have to speak English.
Thinking of getting one for the living room also.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 23, 2018, 07:34:14 PM
Ouch, that's expensive, especially when you can't speak your native language to them to
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 23, 2018, 08:13:38 PM
Ouch, that's expensive, especially when you can't speak your native language to them to
Yeah, Apple is not that fast with updates in The Netherlands. Same for Apple Pay…
Check which country isn't blue.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181223/524650ce7367d0fa8e923f2cd8b18c1e.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 24, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Yep, couldn't resist. Also got one for the living room.
Made a little movie. It's Dutch, but okay…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrxFEYthdVD/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=lkzcgwh04q9i
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 26, 2018, 10:29:57 PM
Hey Google, self-destruct…
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 26, 2018, 11:03:55 PM
The amazon system did on xmas day, it couldn't take all the traffic of the tens of thousands of new echoes going online and it overwhelmed the servers
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 27, 2018, 06:03:54 AM
The amazon system did on xmas day, it couldn't take all the traffic of the tens of thousands of new echoes going online and it overwhelmed the servers
Oh really? Hahahaha!!!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 27, 2018, 04:53:17 PM
The amazon system did on xmas day, it couldn't take all the traffic of the tens of thousands of new echoes going online and it overwhelmed the servers
Oh really? Hahahaha!!!

Yep, but only for a short time.  It was only 5 mins for me, but they have reported people had difficulty up to 4pm
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Chako on December 27, 2018, 06:51:58 PM
Last Christmas I bought 2 of the Google Home Minies, one for myself and the other for my girlfriend. Gave both of them to someone when hers started having conversations with someone not there. Seriously creeped both of us out as I did witness hers going off twice. Not as bad as the laughter that the Amazon version suffered from a while back. Still not exactly cool. I also didn't like that it records all of your conversations to the cloud. Before I gave them away, we turned off the mic on our units...but that didn't exactly stop her's from having one sided conversations with someone.

Hope you enjoy yours and not have the somewhat paranormal stuff happening.  :hatsoff:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on December 27, 2018, 08:29:47 PM
You can use the Alexa app on your phone to remotely make an Echo say something.
I did it on my parents.  :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on December 28, 2018, 12:45:40 PM
A friend of mine has a 3D printer. He made me a retro alarm clock stand for the Mini.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181228/f0e936224fbd4155338ed691dfda97cc.jpg)

How cool is this?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on December 28, 2018, 01:45:48 PM
pretty neat
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 28, 2018, 01:48:08 PM
That's pretty cool  :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on December 28, 2018, 03:27:19 PM
Ingenious! :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on December 28, 2018, 06:36:28 PM
Well this thread had my interest peaked enough that I ordered a couple of the google minis and a google home hub ::) hope I can get it all setup and use it well  :D probably be questioning you peeps on them :whistle: :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Smashie on December 28, 2018, 06:39:09 PM
Well my Hive system has randomly logged me out again, I'm sure they carry out no testing on these apps before they release them smurfing smurfs  >:(
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 28, 2018, 09:48:35 PM
I haven't had any problems with my hive system
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 28, 2018, 09:51:39 PM
The echo dot 3rd gen are £20 off on amazon uk again.

I just got 2 amazon plugs for xmas to add to my devices
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on December 29, 2018, 12:51:49 PM
Buy 2 save 30eur here...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 30, 2018, 03:00:00 PM
I got another one while they are on offer. This will be the beater one for in the garage.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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…
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Smashie 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:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Smashie 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.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Smashie 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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. 
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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…
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 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:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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!!!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian 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
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 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:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 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:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 03, 2019, 08:49:12 PM
Just do a little bit at a time, new stuff is coming out all the time
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 03, 2019, 08:51:01 PM
If you want to dim a lamp fit a smart bulb,  if you just want wireless control/timing or it has an obscure bulb, use a smart plug

Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 03, 2019, 09:17:10 PM
If you want to dim a lamp fit a smart bulb,  if you just want wireless control/timing or it has an obscure bulb, use a smart plug



Yes :tu: if not for the Christmas money I wouldn't have bought as much as I did :salute: wonder if brands will really matter a lot with the different bulbs :think: I know to a point it will but just how much of a difference  :think:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 03, 2019, 09:38:08 PM
If you want to dim a lamp fit a smart bulb,  if you just want wireless control/timing or it has an obscure bulb, use a smart plug



Yes :tu: if not for the Christmas money I wouldn't have bought as much as I did :salute: wonder if brands will really matter a lot with the different bulbs :think: I know to a point it will but just how much of a difference  :think:

As long as they are compatible with your hub it shouldn't matter.  I stick to the Philips hue and hive bulbs as they work on my hive hub 
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 03, 2019, 10:10:20 PM
We've slowly but surely replaced most of our lighting with led bulb options.

I've been eyeing those sonoff smart switch/relays (and how customizable/hackable they are) and they really are an affordable option. Our living room light has a ir remote, but is pre wifi control, and it has multiple brightness and colour temperature adjustments, it'd be great to adjust that via app or home assistant, but looks like I'll need a smart ir control
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Etherealicer on January 03, 2019, 10:51:28 PM
Stories like this are hilarious:

https://gizmodo.com/the-amazon-alexa-eavesdropping-nightmare-came-true-1831231490?fbclid=IwAR2OKUQ0IJBiobwGWT21FrbONAvNKY2DcdPTIdP5-Gmnb4B4173DjbkXQqo

A magazine, trying to get a story decided to stalk this poor bugger rather than simply writing about the concerns and respecting this person's privacy.  It was a mistake on behalf of Amazon- these things happen, especially with new technology.  I'm not saying it was right, but it was, in my opinion at least, made much worse by someone desperate to make a name for themselves by writing a story to take a shot at a giant.

I also wonder if there is any potential legal issues for the Amazon user who realized he received the improper information, then willingly passed that info on to another party?

Again, in my opinion, it isn't the tech that is bad, it is the lack of decency on behalf of the users, and society in general.   :facepalm:

Def
I have read the original article :D

First problem, when reporting it to Amazon the user who got the wrong files did not get a response. That is not a problem of new tech but a big NO GO. And in fact a crime, as they are legally bound to report an incident like this to the authorities AND inform the user who the files belong to. Amazon did neither.

The party that got involved, c't, is a fairly renown computer journal. They actually did what journalists are meant to do, they investigate and part of it is trying to find who those files belong to (something quite rare among journalists these days). Once they figuered out who these files belong to, they contacted the wronged person.  He did not only confirm that they identified him correctly, but also his partner and confirmed that Amazon has not informed him (This is critical information!!!). Only when c't contacted Amazon they acknowledged the problem and informed the wronged party (it is unclear if they informed the authorities of their error and their breach in data security).

The whole reaction of Amazon is not very much reassuring, they do not seem to acknowledge the problem. And quite frankly, their reaction to the incident was pathetic.

I wager right here, right now, there will be more stories like this and Amazon will do nothing about it.
And I have to contradict you in this case. The user in question did, with the help of journalists, uncover a crime. Isolated, it might seem like a small crime, but considering the enormous data-collection Amazon makes, this is a big issue. The way Amazon reacted to this is quite worrying, they do not seem to care much about people's privacy. I do agree though, the tech is not the problem, Amazons greed for data is.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 04, 2019, 11:42:23 AM
There was a story of a google unit sending the conversation of a couple to one of their contacts when they had been talking crap about them
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 04, 2019, 11:57:42 AM
There was a story of a google unit sending the conversation of a couple to one of their contacts when they had been talking crap about them

 :o I try not to talk bad about peeps but I didn't set up any type of calling on it yet either :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 04, 2019, 12:06:10 PM
I just had another socket hangar/tidy arrive ready for my other dot that's coming at the end of the month.  Makes me wish I had a 3D printer so I could print some myself

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4831/32723513038_12dacd0fd2_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 04, 2019, 12:09:50 PM
There was a story of a google unit sending the conversation of a couple to one of their contacts when they had been talking crap about them

 :o I try not to talk bad about peeps but I didn't set up any type of calling on it yet either :D

I've only got drop in enabled on all my echoes so they can be used as an intercom between them
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 04, 2019, 12:41:50 PM
The Dot hanger looks nice, Kev 8) :like: I have wondered about getting the google mini version for at least one of mine :think:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 04, 2019, 12:43:10 PM
There was a story of a google unit sending the conversation of a couple to one of their contacts when they had been talking crap about them

 :o I try not to talk bad about peeps but I didn't set up any type of calling on it yet either :D

I've only got drop in enabled on all my echoes so they can be used as an intercom between them

Not really tried the intercom function yet :think: need to look into that when they all get here and set up :cheers:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 04, 2019, 12:43:40 PM
I just had another socket hangar/tidy arrive ready for my other dot that's coming at the end of the month.  Makes me wish I had a 3D printer so I could print some myself

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4831/32723513038_12dacd0fd2_b.jpg)
So happy to have a friend with a 3D printer. Love my retro clock stands.
He now made me a wall mount for my iPad. Still have to pick it up, but then I can have HomeKit as 'buttons' on my wall.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 04, 2019, 01:03:38 PM
Did I already show the white one?

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190104/c2f263e970a310c5f392e4e618f50660.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 04, 2019, 01:11:06 PM
I think you showed the black one :think: they are both very cool looking though 8) :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 04, 2019, 01:14:57 PM
Thanks! Really happy with them…
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 04, 2019, 01:36:10 PM
They are great  :tu:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 04, 2019, 06:22:33 PM
they are cool, I'd be more tempted to do something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3260556
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 04, 2019, 07:59:52 PM
Now that is a cool idea 8) :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 05, 2019, 12:41:42 AM
Well, it's no brush bolted to the wall, but the Alexa users have one up on us poor Google users....

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/kohler-numi-alexa-toilet,news-28957.html

Or is that one down?

Or maybe its number two.....

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 05, 2019, 01:28:24 AM
I don't think I like the idea of Alexa going to the potty with me :ahhh

 :rofl:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 05, 2019, 01:33:40 AM
I am sure NEVER going on any service calls for those,NEVER!

Just a crappy idea. :whistle:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 05, 2019, 05:27:51 AM
they are cool, I'd be more tempted to do something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3260556
Is it bad that I have never seen a Starwars movie?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: dks on January 05, 2019, 10:06:53 AM
Trekie?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 05, 2019, 12:17:23 PM
Trekie?
Nope, just not my genre of movies.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 05, 2019, 03:00:26 PM
they are cool, I'd be more tempted to do something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3260556
Is it bad that I have never seen a Starwars movie?

Bad for you! :popcorn: Literally!

At least the early ones,I have not seen any of the newer ones and have no desire to really but the first defined a Genre probably of their own and are worth the time for sure.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 05, 2019, 05:29:02 PM
they are cool, I'd be more tempted to do something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3260556
Is it bad that I have never seen a Starwars movie?

Yes, you need to at least watch the originals :pok: :D I like the rest of them as well because it has expanded the original story though :cheers:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 05, 2019, 06:46:40 PM
they are cool, I'd be more tempted to do something like this: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3260556

That's cool
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 05, 2019, 09:50:18 PM
https://youtu.be/JepKVUym9Fg

 :rofl:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 05, 2019, 09:55:29 PM
 :rofl: :rofl:

That's great, I've already experienced that frustration. Sometimes I've got to talk really slow and clear.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 09, 2019, 11:24:50 AM
flash deal on amazon so I snapped up 4x sonoff basics

https://sonoff.itead.cc/en/products/sonoff/sonoff-basic
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 09, 2019, 03:46:03 PM
Hello wall mount…

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190109/d8abd42a96fcda9c58e9be40ac64ff4b.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190109/5c57976323ecaf9411c546c73dd6d5d1.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Aloha on January 09, 2019, 05:32:10 PM
Pretty neat.  Pretty soon your home will recognize you and all your devices will come alive with little more than your presence.   
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 09, 2019, 06:06:44 PM
Pretty neat.  Pretty soon your home will recognize you and all your devices will come alive with little more than your presence.
It already does. I never arrive in a dark house. The lights go on when I approach my house.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Aloha on January 09, 2019, 08:34:37 PM
Pretty neat.  Pretty soon your home will recognize you and all your devices will come alive with little more than your presence.
It already does. I never arrive in a dark house. The lights go on when I approach my house.

Alrighty then  :tu: 
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 10, 2019, 09:50:09 AM
I've got geolocation set for my heating, when I get within a mile of my house it turns it up to the normal evening set point if it isn't already at it.  My mum  lives with me so generally it is already there nowadays.

I'll never get to Ipad on a wall level of automation though, I've already got 3 smart plugs I don't know what to do with.  I could do with a few more bulbs at some point and a couple more sensors though.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 10, 2019, 09:53:56 AM
flash deal on amazon so I snapped up 4x sonoff basics

https://sonoff.itead.cc/en/products/sonoff/sonoff-basic

They look good, I could do with a couple of those for some outside lights rather than having to replace all the bulbs and put them in a group.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 10, 2019, 01:17:59 PM
 :like: the wall mount and it would be cool to get my home to that point sometime but I am sure it is a long way from that :ahhh

Also cool devices, Whoey :like: I am still trying to get my head around the idea of what to do with some of these devices :think:

Still can't justify the price of a Nest thermostat though ::) May wait a while and see if the prices come down more and see what else comes out :cheers:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 10, 2019, 02:40:35 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190110/844f51debaf88e34a5bcddcc718d73de.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 10, 2019, 02:44:10 PM
It was getting a hive thermostat and control system when I got my new heating system last Feb that started all this for me. Hive is very much like nest, and comes with it's own app to control it all remotely, and that also came with a bulb and plug. It is all integrated with my amazon echoes now so it just gets better.

The addition of room sensors and geolocation is quickly automating it to a point where you don't even have to ask it to do it for you, the routines you set up to trigger off those sensors do it automatically.

The only downfall will come when there is an internet outage and everything goes offline and you have to use the manual buttons on the front of the plugs, etc.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 10, 2019, 03:46:50 PM
It was getting a hive thermostat and control system when I got my new heating system last Feb that started all this for me. Hive is very much like nest, and comes with it's own app to control it all remotely, and that also came with a bulb and plug. It is all integrated with my amazon echoes now so it just gets better.

The addition of room sensors and geolocation is quickly automating it to a point where you don't even have to ask it to do it for you, the routines you set up to trigger off those sensors do it automatically.

The only downfall will come when there is an internet outage and everything goes offline and you have to use the manual buttons on the front of the plugs, etc.
and that right there, along with the listening in factor, is why I'm tempted to throw custom firmware on devices and use a brew your own assistant solution over alexa/google devices. IMHO, it should run local 100%, and if the internet is down only things requiring outside connection should be affected.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 10, 2019, 04:33:01 PM
My hive system would continue working as it has it's own hub, as would the light and socket I have on it, I just wouldn't be able to control it from the app.  The amazon echo alarm clock type alarms would work because they are stored locally, everything else would stop working as the first thing it does when you give it a command is send it to the server to determine what to do. I'm guessing the google assistant does the same.   If you can create a server/hub that keeps all the control local and still utilise one of the assistants you should patent it and get it out there as the all in one hub. 

Just to use the hive system and philips hue bulbs I have to have a hive hub and a hue bridge, and apps for them all as well.  It would be nice to just have one hub to run everything.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on January 10, 2019, 05:15:39 PM
It was getting a hive thermostat and control system when I got my new heating system last Feb that started all this for me. Hive is very much like nest, and comes with it's own app to control it all remotely, and that also came with a bulb and plug. It is all integrated with my amazon echoes now so it just gets better.

The addition of room sensors and geolocation is quickly automating it to a point where you don't even have to ask it to do it for you, the routines you set up to trigger off those sensors do it automatically.

The only downfall will come when there is an internet outage and everything goes offline and you have to use the manual buttons on the front of the plugs, etc.
and that right there, along with the listening in factor, is why I'm tempted to throw custom firmware on devices and use a brew your own assistant solution over alexa/google devices. IMHO, it should run local 100%, and if the internet is down only things requiring outside connection should be affected.
I thought those voice assistant things needed the cloud for processing power?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 10, 2019, 06:15:56 PM
Jasper has a Speech-To-Text engine that works without the internet, but will also use others that do require sending the text over the internet.

Quote
Choosing an STT engine
You need to choose which Speech-To-Text (STT) engine Jasper should use. An STT engine is basically a piece of software that takes recorded speech and transforms it into written text. If you say “foo”, but Jasper understands “bar”, it’s either a problem with your microphone or a bad or misconfigured STT engine. So choosing the right STT engine is crucial to use Jasper correctly. While most speech-recognition tools only rely on one single STT engine, Jasper tries to be modular and thus offers a wide variety of STT engines:

Pocketsphinx is a open-source speech decoder by the CMU Sphinx project. It’s fast and designed to work well on embedded systems (like the Raspberry Pi). Unfortunately, the recognition rate is not the best and it has a lot of depencies. On the other hand, recognition will be performed offline, i.e. you don’t need an active internet connection to use it. It’s the right thing to use if you’re cautious with your personal data.
Google STT is the speech-to-text system by Google. If you have an Android smartphone, you might already be familiar with it, because it’s basically the same engine that performs recognition if you say OK, Google. It can only transcribe a limited amount of speech a day and needs an active internet connection.
AT&T STT is a speech decoder by the telecommunications company AT&T. Like Google Speech, it also performs decoding online and thus needs an active internet connection.
Wit.ai STT relies on the wit.ai cloud services and uses crowdsourcing to train speech recognition algorithms. Like you’d expect from a cloud service, you also need an active internet connection.
Julius is a high-performance open source speech recognition engine. It does not need an active internet connection. Please note that you will need to train your own acoustic model, which is a very complex task that we do not provide support for. Regular users are most likely better suited with one of the other STT engines listed here.
Important: Except PocketSphinx and Julius, all of the above STT engines transfer the microphone data over the internet. If you don’t want Google, Wit.ai and AT&T to be able to listen to everything you say, do not use these STT engines! In this case, use PocketSphinx instead.

We also do not recommend using Internet-connected STT engines for passive listening. From privacy and performance standpoints, Pocketsphinx/Julius are superior solutions.

Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 10, 2019, 08:40:12 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190110/844f51debaf88e34a5bcddcc718d73de.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That looks even farther out of my price range :ahhh :D Cool looking though :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 10, 2019, 08:40:52 PM
It was getting a hive thermostat and control system when I got my new heating system last Feb that started all this for me. Hive is very much like nest, and comes with it's own app to control it all remotely, and that also came with a bulb and plug. It is all integrated with my amazon echoes now so it just gets better.

The addition of room sensors and geolocation is quickly automating it to a point where you don't even have to ask it to do it for you, the routines you set up to trigger off those sensors do it automatically.

The only downfall will come when there is an internet outage and everything goes offline and you have to use the manual buttons on the front of the plugs, etc.

If I was changing out the thermostat I had anyways I would opt fo rthe wifi one for sure :cheers:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 11, 2019, 03:34:35 PM
It was getting a hive thermostat and control system when I got my new heating system last Feb that started all this for me. Hive is very much like nest, and comes with it's own app to control it all remotely, and that also came with a bulb and plug. It is all integrated with my amazon echoes now so it just gets better.

The addition of room sensors and geolocation is quickly automating it to a point where you don't even have to ask it to do it for you, the routines you set up to trigger off those sensors do it automatically.

The only downfall will come when there is an internet outage and everything goes offline and you have to use the manual buttons on the front of the plugs, etc.

If I was changing out the thermostat I had anyways I would opt fo rthe wifi one for sure :cheers:

Thats the only reason I did mine. If my heating boiler hadn't died just before Xmas 2017 and needed a full replacement I wouldn't have my hive system. 

One of the things I really love about it is you can take the Thermostat off the wall and put it on a little stand so can control the heat in your house to whichever room you want rather than having just one thermostat.  They are just too expensive to have multiple thermostats dotted around the house.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 16, 2019, 11:34:31 AM
well this is interesting: http://bjoernkarmann.dk/project_alias

Quote
Alias is a teachable “parasite” that is designed to give users more control over their smart assistants, both when it comes to customisation and privacy. Through a simple app the user can train Alias to react on a custom wake-word/sound, and once trained, Alias can take control over your home assistant by activating it for you.
 

When you don't use it, Alias will make sure the assistant is paralysed and unable to listen by interrupting its microphones.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 16, 2019, 12:04:25 PM
That sounds very promising for home privacy :o :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 16, 2019, 12:08:44 PM
I also like that you can use a custom trigger word, and it automatically whispers the actual word to the device... IE you don't need to say "ok google" or "alexa"
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 16, 2019, 12:18:54 PM
I wonder how long it takes for them to get mass produced and on sale.  It'll be interesting to see if amazon sell them when they do
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 16, 2019, 01:00:27 PM
:dd:

(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1PSPwbLIrata/giphy.gif)

 :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 16, 2019, 05:08:27 PM
my Sonoff wifi smart switches arrived!  :mail:

Too bad I don't have time to play with them right now...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on January 16, 2019, 06:39:40 PM
:dd:

(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1PSPwbLIrata/giphy.gif)

 :D
It would be awesome to be able to use that wake-up word on Google assistant! :dd:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 16, 2019, 07:22:20 PM
I believe "computer" is one of the alexa alternative keywords

Also the Google devices have provisions for custom keywords, but apparently only a custom built device can use it for now, which is a huge fail by google imho.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 16, 2019, 08:19:10 PM
I believe "computer" is one of the alexa alternative keywords

Also the Google devices have provisions for custom keywords, but apparently only a custom built device can use it for now, which is a huge fail by google imho.

Amazon or Echo or Computer were the original alternatives here at least.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: dks on January 16, 2019, 08:22:37 PM
I just call her "sexy"

she does not reply, but I am sure she likes it... :)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 16, 2019, 08:29:30 PM
Imho you should be allowed to train it to whatever word/wordcombo you want.

like: artoo, marvin, android, gort, hal

 >:D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on January 16, 2019, 08:32:57 PM
Imho you should be allowed to train it to whatever word/wordcombo you want.

like: artoo, marvin, android, gort, hal

 >:D
Ask your Alexa to "open the pod bay doors". You'll be surprised.  :pok:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 16, 2019, 09:17:19 PM
I don't have one.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 17, 2019, 06:07:20 AM
I would love to rename my GH Mini's amd HomePods to something I want it to be!
Now it so often get's triggeref by YouTube videos etc. Actually really annoying.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 17, 2019, 10:24:11 AM
I'd be boring and change all my wake words to echo and use Alexa on the privacy device. It's took long enough to get my mum to remember the name Alexa without trying to get her to learn something more sci-fi  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Don Pablo on January 17, 2019, 10:30:56 AM
I'd have thought that saying Computer would come more naturally to most people than Alexa.  :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 17, 2019, 04:23:37 PM
Yeah it would, but you'd be surprised how many time you hear the word computer on the TV, and the echo device would respond to them.  Though with more and more adverts about them the Alexa wake word is being said a lot more often.

I like messing with my friends ones and set alarms at odd times, then act all innocent when they tell me it did an alarm that they didn't set  :D

The last thing to theirs is 'Alexa, volume 10'  :rofl:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 23, 2019, 01:03:10 PM
Guess I should update you all on what I have done :cheers: I ended up with 2 Google home minis, my little girl got herself a Google home mini, a Google home hub and a Chromecast so far :tu:

I have found that I use the Chromecast way more than I thought I would :o as I cast stuff to it all the time now :like: We have all the minis set up im different home groups and play music on them quite a bit, the little one uses hers a lot as well and even uses it in conjunction with her Roku stick :tu: I have all the apps needed on my phone for several different viewing options on my Chromecast as well and I am really liking that :cheers: I did also add a wifi network ectender to help improve the signal throughout the house and this has worked marvelously :like: going back and forth about getting a thermostat and smart bulbs :ahhh it will be a while I am sure before I add any of that though, really liking what I have at the moment though :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 23, 2019, 01:07:04 PM
while I still have a v1 chromecast, it's back in the box now as it's been replaced by a firetv stick that does the same things... and allows me to watch Amazon Video. None of my other android box or chromecast from my tablet options seemed to work properly, plus my old kodi box wasn't h265 compatible, so when the firetv was on the black friday sale I jumped at the chance to "upgrade" although it sometimes feels more like a step sideways.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 23, 2019, 01:11:35 PM
My sister in law has a Firestick at there house as well and they seem to really like it :cheers: they also went through all the steps and put Kodi on it as well :tu: Seems like a good setup :tu: I only went with the Chromecast as an impulse buy because I had some Christmas money still, glad I did as it was very easy to set up and can be controlled with both my phone and the mini I have in that room :like:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 23, 2019, 01:21:11 PM
Guess I should update you all on what I have done :cheers: I ended up with 2 Google home minis, my little girl got herself a Google home mini, a Google home hub and a Chromecast so far :tu:

I have found that I use the Chromecast way more than I thought I would :o as I cast stuff to it all the time now :like: We have all the minis set up im different home groups and play music on them quite a bit, the little one uses hers a lot as well and even uses it in conjunction with her Roku stick :tu: I have all the apps needed on my phone for several different viewing options on my Chromecast as well and I am really liking that :cheers: I did also add a wifi network ectender to help improve the signal throughout the house and this has worked marvelously :like: going back and forth about getting a thermostat and smart bulbs :ahhh it will be a while I am sure before I add any of that though, really liking what I have at the moment though :like:
Please, think about buying Philips Hue. It's a bit expensive, but soooooo amazing!!!
I have HomeKit, Apple fangirl, and with automations it's just amazing. I never arrive in a dark house. Motion sensors turn on the lights in the toilet, hallway etc.
Hey Google/Siri, turn off all the lights. So easy!!!
You need to spend some time for setting it up, but after that, only advantages.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 23, 2019, 04:44:41 PM
The only reason I haven't bought the Philip's Hue bulbs yet is the price :ahhh other than that I have only heard good stuff from them and from you and Kevin :cheers: may be a while but I will probably bite the bullet and get them :facepalm: :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 23, 2019, 05:09:31 PM
The only reason I haven't bought the Philip's Hue bulbs yet is the price :ahhh other than that I have only heard good stuff from them and from you and Kevin :cheers: may be a while but I will probably bite the bullet and get them :facepalm: :D
Just get a starter kit and then buy bulbs once in a while. That's the way I did it. Impossible to do the house at once. I've started three years ago, and I need one more lamp (In the shed) and then I'm done.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 23, 2019, 07:13:52 PM
I have been looking at the Hue series of lights and I am wondering what the point of the Hue Bridge is.  Do you need that or can it just be controlled through the smartphone or Alexa/Google Assistant/Siri?

Def
Title: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 23, 2019, 08:57:50 PM
I have been looking at the Hue series of lights and I am wondering what the point of the Hue Bridge is.  Do you need that or can it just be controlled through the smartphone or Alexa/Google Assistant/Siri?

Def
You have to have a bridge for connecting the bulbs, update them etc. Won't work without the bridge. That's the internet connection when you're not at home, connects it to your Google Home, to your phone etc.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 23, 2019, 08:59:23 PM
Ah.

I thought all of that was built into the bulbs themselves.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 23, 2019, 08:59:34 PM
I have been looking at the Hue series of lights and I am wondering what the point of the Hue Bridge is.  Do you need that or can it just be controlled through the smartphone or Alexa/Google Assistant/Siri?

Def
The Bridge is how they work with all other devices including your Phone generally speaking.

The Hue works with a Protocol called Zigbee.

So the Devices are actually Zigbee devices as are many other Automation devices.

The Bridge is a Zigbee converter so whichever device you are controlling with or controlling talks to the bridge in its native tongue and the bridge sends Zigbee commands to the Hue stuff.

Upside is that the Bridge is independent of Internet too so as long as the bridge has power you should be able to control things from inside the house.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 23, 2019, 09:06:28 PM
That's good to know.  Thanks for the additional info!

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 23, 2019, 09:20:14 PM
That's good to know.  Thanks for the additional info!

Def

Sure Thing!

All of the lighting options like these use a Bridge for the system that you use.
I have some homes that have 5 or 6 Bridges for different families of controls,it can get pretty silly quickly.

I use mostly Lutron but the Hue and Smart Things are great as well.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 23, 2019, 10:04:23 PM
My goal is to convert my three unit building to as many smart features as possible.  Got any recommendations?

Def
Title: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 23, 2019, 10:10:43 PM
What phone do you have Grant?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 23, 2019, 10:36:42 PM
My goal is to convert my three unit building to as many smart features as possible.  Got any recommendations?

Def

Look at the WYZE cameras first of all,if you are thinking of a camara system these are so cheap and so great it is actually hard to accept!
2 weeks rolling recording is free too and you can stick cheap memory cards in them to record all the time.

Ring now has a $100 price on the original video doorbell and that is tough to match with anything else though you do have to subscribe to keep the recordings.

I use August Systems Locks mostly as they provide the most robust interface and options and have been pretty reliable for me which is the most important feature really.
All of the Lock Makers stuff though is also entirely reliable it seems too,it sort of has to be.

As for Lighting I like Lutron like I said but all of the mainstream systems are really good and Best Buy has them all sitting next to each other in stores so you can see and compare them directly there,sometimes.

The NEST T-Stats are really the best I think though not the cheapest but you do really get what you pay for here too.
You can easily combine them with NEST Smoke and Security detectors for a really simple system if you want to go there?

I have used a Water Detector several times now that I really like but can not think of the name now for some reason?
These have actually saved 2 properties that I know of from disaster in real time by detecting and shutting off the house water main immediately and sending messages about it as well,talk about paying for itself!

I mostly use SONOS for Music,there is not much like it that I have tried and I have tried!

Alexa works simply with all of these things and while I will never have that witch in my house,everyone that I does that I install loves her deeply.

I have yet to try the Google platform and am not sure that I will.

If its not Broke,I am not Fixing it with Alexa.

YMMV of course.
Title: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 23, 2019, 11:12:39 PM
I'm an Apple fangirl.

In here mostly everything is HomeKit based combined with HomeBridge on the Raspberry Pi.

I have:
Logitech Circle cams
Nest thermostat
Philips Hue lights, switches and motion detectors
Ikea lights and plugs
Eve plugs, door sensors and thermometers
Xiaomi smoke detectors, thermometers,window sensors and plant sensors
Music is played through my HomePods and AirPort Expresses I've connected to active speakers

I mostly use Siri. But… HomePods still don't speak Dutch. And sometimes, it's just easier to speak in your own language.

That's why I bought two Google Home Mini's. They also connect to Hue, Ikea and Nest, so I can control my lights and thermostat. First bought one for the bedroom, but I found so easy I bought a second one.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on January 23, 2019, 11:36:55 PM
I am pretty much Apples Bitch myself but I am also migrating all networking away from the now abandoned Apple stuff to more modern and much faster gear.
I sell and install the only Apple based commercial Automation System, Savant and these are scalable up to an almost unlimited number of Zones and Devices but of course this is all at one end of the spectrum of toys that can be made.
Most systems that I install are capable of running all systems in a property by themselves and combining these into a single,simple front end for anyone to be able to understand is the fun and challenge of what I do.
My Clients are not Hobbyists at all but just people with big homes and families who want the toys.

At the other end I try to standardize on established gear and while it is all do it yourself these days,I have no problem staying busy all time doing it for you instead thankfully!

So while there are many ways to do the same things these days my clients seem to prefer as integrated an approach and interface as I can give them as long as it works and this is often not the way I would do it for myself,if I wanted any of it in the first place.
Happily I do not.

If it works without fail,I love it and that is enough for me!

I'm an Apple fangirl.

In here mostly everything is HomeKit based combined with HomeBridge on the Raspberry Pi.

I have:
Logitech Circle cams
Nest thermostat
Philips Hue lights, switches and motion detectors
Ikea lights and plugs
Eve plugs, door sensors and thermometers
Xiaomi smoke detectors, thermometers,window sensors and plant sensors
Music is played through my HomePods and AirPort Expresses I've connected to active speakers

I mostly use Siri. But… HomePods still don't speak Dutch. And sometimes, it's just easier to speak in you own language.

That's why I bought two Google Home Mini's. They also connect to Hue, Ikea and Nest, so I can control my lights and thermostat. First bought one for the bedroom, but I found so easy I bought a second one.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 25, 2019, 01:19:26 PM
What phone do you have Grant?

Not an iPhone!

I've got a Samsung A8 and two Samsung tablets.  The only Apple product I've ever owned was my father's original iPod that he gave me when he upgraded.  I could never get any music on it so I just used it to play Breakout.  I still have it around here somewhere.

I'd rather stick to Google and Android options wherever possible.  I've already sold my soul to Google, I'd rather not do it again to Alexa or the ghost of Turtleneck Steve.   :facepalm:

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 25, 2019, 02:19:12 PM
What phone do you have Grant?

Not an iPhone!

I've got a Samsung A8 and two Samsung tablets.  The only Apple product I've ever owned was my father's original iPod that he gave me when he upgraded.  I could never get any music on it so I just used it to play Breakout.  I still have it around here somewhere.

I'd rather stick to Google and Android options wherever possible.  I've already sold my soul to Google, I'd rather not do it again to Alexa or the ghost of Turtleneck Steve.   :facepalm:

Def

If you have a Samsung than the most logical option is to buy a Google Home. Those work perfectly together.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on January 25, 2019, 03:57:30 PM
I have Google Home Minis in both of my homes.  :D

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 25, 2019, 04:15:36 PM
Seems to a degree Amazon is reading my mind, the Echo Input is basically a dot but without the speaker, so you add your own...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 25, 2019, 10:34:12 PM
I have Google Home Minis in both of my homes.  :D

Def
Nest for you thermostat, Hue for lights, maybe Ikea for lights and definitely the smart plugs.
But on the other hand, America has WAAAAAY more smart plugs than Europe does.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 09, 2019, 02:02:31 PM
Anyone using IFTTT?  I just discovered it last night, and it basically just adds a lot more commands and functionality to your phone and other smart devices.

Of course, one of the first things I did was set it to respond to the command "Execute Order 66" because... you know... priorities...   :jedi:   :facepalm:

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on February 09, 2019, 02:47:35 PM
Anyone using IFTTT?  I just discovered it last night, and it basically just adds a lot more commands and functionality to your phone and other smart devices.

Of course, one of the first things I did was set it to respond to the command "Execute Order 66" because... you know... priorities...   :jedi:   :facepalm:

Def
does it order 66 donairs?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on February 09, 2019, 03:01:22 PM
Anyone using IFTTT?  I just discovered it last night, and it basically just adds a lot more commands and functionality to your phone and other smart devices.

Of course, one of the first things I did was set it to respond to the command "Execute Order 66" because... you know... priorities...   :jedi:   :facepalm:

Def

I use IFTTT as a Bridge between devices all the time as there are no Alexa Commands for many others devices.
I use them most for AV Remote stuff probably.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on February 09, 2019, 06:07:58 PM
I've got IFTTT ad had a test of it, but haven't needed to set any widgets up with it yet.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on February 09, 2019, 07:12:01 PM
Anyone using IFTTT?  I just discovered it last night, and it basically just adds a lot more commands and functionality to your phone and other smart devices.

Of course, one of the first things I did was set it to respond to the command "Execute Order 66" because... you know... priorities...   :jedi:   :facepalm:

Def

Yep, I use it a lot. For example for Social Media forwarding etc.
But also in the house. My lights flash when someone rings my doorbell. Just for fun…
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 09, 2019, 08:59:24 PM
Anyone using IFTTT?  I just discovered it last night, and it basically just adds a lot more commands and functionality to your phone and other smart devices.

Of course, one of the first things I did was set it to respond to the command "Execute Order 66" because... you know... priorities...   :jedi:   :facepalm:

Def

Yep, I use it a lot. For example for Social Media forwarding etc.
But also in the house. My lights flash when someone rings my doorbell. Just for fun…

That seems like it would come in very handy for my father, who has a major hearing problem.  It is because of his hearing issues that he got a Smarsmurfch- the buzzing on his wrist made a lot more sense than than a ringing/beeping phone did.  When they had a land line it was hooked up to a strobe light for him, and the scary part is that he can be standing right under the smoke alarm and not hear it, so I have been thinking of getting them a smart smoke alarm too.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on February 09, 2019, 09:35:05 PM
I also automated the smoke alarm. If it goes off, ALL the lights in the house turn on at 100% brightness.
Did that in Apple Home btw.

I have a Ring doorbel and Philips Hue lights.
The lights in the living room flash 3 or 4 times if someone rings the doorbell.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: ezdog on February 09, 2019, 11:29:05 PM
I have a Client who was Paralyzed in an accident and has around the clock nursing care in home.
They are not supposed to drift off but sometimes in the middle of the night.....

So I rigged an Alexa in his bedroom so that when he says "Alexa Get Help" it blasts the Beatles Help through Sonos Speakers around the house.
It took a while to get it working as you can not just ask Alexa for "Help" as she already thinks this means help with her?
She is sort of Bitchy about it too!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 16, 2019, 01:39:40 PM
I picked up a couple of smart plugs the other day because I got a good deal on them.  Unfortunately I ended up with exactly the same issue that the person I bought them from had- they seem to only work with a 2.5ghz router and I only have a 5ghz router so they are virtually useless to me.   :facepalm:

I am pretty sure Megan has a dual band router in Ottawa, so they will probably go back with her when she visits next.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 20, 2019, 09:38:27 PM
I managed to wheel and deal a little bit today and got a 3rd Generation Alexa Echo Dot.  And I though Google Home Mini had a long name...  :facepalm:

The first thing I noticed, immediately out of the box, is that Alexa is HEAVY!

Both the Alexa Dot and Google Home Mini went on the scale (without their power cords) and the Mini came in at 174g versus 295g (6.1 oz vs 10.4 oz respectively).  This is likely due to the better speaker on Alexa- we all know Alexa has better hardware while Google has the better software, or at least that seems to be the general consensus.  I would concur as well, at least as far as my initial testing has taken me.  But I am getting ahead of myself.

I will say that I also prefer Alexa's fancy circular light to the Mini's 4 dots.  It is a lot easier to see if she's listening- and yes, I have fallen into the trap of calling them "she" because of the female voice on them.  Yes, you can change it, but I'm pretty sure I prefer the female voice.  Maybe I am sexist, wanting a female assistant, but I prefer to think of it as just preferring that the competent and helpful voice around the house doesn't sound like it's going to have a few beers later and take a swing at me.

Bear in mind that some of what I am about to say is the result of me already having Google Assistant software on my phone.

Alexa was harder to set up initially.

With the Google Home Mini, the app on my phone asked me if I wanted to connect my Mini to the same router, using the settings the phone used.  I said yes and it did the rest for me.  The app (Google Home) was already installed on my phone, and I believe it is already on most (all?) Android devices as part of the OS.

For Alexa I had to download the Alexa app on my phone, then connect to the device, then select the router and input the password.  Not a big deal for most of us, but Google was a lot easier. 

I then had to create a voice profile for Alexa, which resulted in me having to repeat ten phrases for her.  With Google, creating a voice profile is a lot easier, as I think (if I recall correctly anyway, it has been a while since I set it up) you just say "Ok Google" three times and it's ready to go.

The speaker on the Dot is easily far superior to that of the Home Mini, and the light show you get while things are playing is much cooler, although I wonder what it is like to fall asleep to? 

If you ask Google Home whether she is better than Alexa (or Siri, or Cortana etc) she will come up with one of many phrases that are amusing and noncommittal, while praising the others.

For example- I asked Google Home Mini right now whether she was better than Alexa.  Google responded that she was sure that Alexa loved Canada as much as she did, and that she (Google) was looking forward to them singing the national anthem together someday.  She then played O Canada. 

I then asked her again and she said "I couldn't compare myself to Alexa- assistants have to stick together."

If you ask Alexa, she just says "I like all AI's" every time.

Not a big deal really, but it shows you that the difference between Alexa's AI and Google's is just as far apart as the difference between Google's speaker and Alexa's.  Google's speaker is perfectly functional and adequate, but if you had Alexa first you'd be disappointed in it.  Alexa's responses seem a lot more generic.  Again, it is obvious in the Easter Eggs.  Asking each of them silly questions like "will you be my girlfriend" or "drop a beat" and you will get the same (amusing) responses from Alexa each time.  Ask the same questions to Google Home and it will come up with a different amusing answer every time.

For example:

How are babies made?

Alexa- "Babes are made through the process of reproduction."
Google- Actually gives the scientific process and then sends a link to your phone in case you want to know more

Is there a Santa?

Alexa- "Santa makes a lot of people Ho Ho Hopeful for a happy holiday and I definitely believe in that"
Google- dial tone, touch tones, elf switchboard, operator connects you to Santa, who then asks you to help him choose what band to have for Elfstock.  Say yes you will help and it starts asking you some follow up questions which then leads to a holiday song. 

If your kids don't believe Santa exists after that virtual, simulated two way conversation, then you have failed miserably as a parent.  :P

All in all, I like them both, but I think (at least so far, bear in mind I have only had Alexa for an hour or so!) if I had to choose one, I would stick with Google.  I will continue to test them against each other over the next little while and let you know if I change my mind.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on February 21, 2019, 12:04:41 AM
The big reason for my indecision to jump on the black friday/holiday sales was that I want the amazon hardware with the google software
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 21, 2019, 12:15:55 AM
I feel like that is what we all want.   :think:

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 22, 2019, 02:58:09 PM
It turns out that my preference for Google's superior software is not as cut and dried as I thought.

Compared to Google Assistant, Alexa is pretty dumb, but you can add more functionality with IFTTT, and that helps a lot.  There is also a lot more setup with Alexa, such as having to give her access to your GPS data and phone, and then still having to input your location for weather data.  Imagine how unamused I was when I gave her access to GPS data, then asked what the weather was, and she said she couldn't answer because she didn't know where I was.   :facepalm:

Alexa cannot find your phone, and the weather data on the app appears to be stuck in F instead of C, although Alexa now reads me the weather in C.  The app is kind of difficult to navigate as there are a lot of submenus to go through to get what you want.  The Google app is also difficult to use for similar reasons- there are less submenus to navigate since it does a lot of stuff natively (assuming you have an Android phone or tablet) but the options are graphical and so you may have to guess the right icon to be in to accomplish something.

Using IFTTT though you can fix some of the things that Alexa doesn't do- sort of.  I installed the Alexa find my phone option, and it worked, except that the VOIP call she made to my phone took almost ten minutes to actually ring my phone.  If you are looking for your phone, you probably don't want to wait ten minutes for help finding it.   :facepalm:

While it looks like Alexa may be kind of useless, at least by comparison, the hardware is much better.  And I mean by a lot.  I hadn't realized how tinny the Home Mini speaker was, and I find myself not having to yell at Alexa as often as I had to at Google, especially if it was playing the radio or music.  And the sound coming out of it is far superior. 

One annoying thing regarding sound on Alexa though- the timer.

When using the timer on Google (which I do a lot) it makes a noticeable but not too annoying alert.  That's what you want in a timer, something you will notice, but not be terribly upsetting if you can't get to it to shut it off right away.  The Alexa version beeps at you as if it was programmed by Milton from Office Space:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsayg_S4pJg

In fact, the first time I used it, I actually had to ask Alexa what the noise was and what it was trying to tell me.  Of course, it couldn't answer that question.   :facepalm:

I think that you can't make a bad decision getting either of these, but stick to whichever one you get, because you will judge the other harshly by what you get used to.  If you get Alexa first you will get used to the better sound and microphone, and you won't really know what you are missing with the lack of functions.  If you get a Google Home device first, you will appreciate how easy it is to set up and use, and how many things it can do, and the sound quality won't bug you, because again, you won't know what you are missing.

I have relegated Google to the bedroom as I prefer the morning and nighttime routines with it, and Alexa has taken over in the living room because I listen to the radio much of the day (if for no other reason than to keep the dogs from hearing and barking at things outside) and the sound quality is much better- it fills the room much nicer.  The living room is also next to the kitchen, and the better microphone is handier when I am making supper.  I just have to really listen for the alarm at the end.  And, if I need a Google service when I am not in or near the bedroom, my phone is usually happy to do the job.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on February 22, 2019, 03:28:06 PM
I'm sticking with Alexa, I've got 6 of them now so no going back for me.  I've also just bought my sister one for her birthday as she has been wanting one since she saw mine.  She's an apple fangirl so really should get the homepod thingy they do, but they are way to expensive. 
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 22, 2019, 04:26:45 PM
I'm sticking with Alexa, I've got 6 of them now so no going back for me.  I've also just bought my sister one for her birthday as she has been wanting one since she saw mine.  She's an apple fangirl so really should get the homepod thingy they do, but they are way to expensive.

I agree- if you have one, don't go to the other.  There's not much point in that.  I think what bothers me is that they both have a call (intercom) feature, but as far as I can tell, they are not able to call eachother, which seems silly.  Maybe there is something in IFTTT, but in the end it doesn't make much difference to me as my place is small enough- if I speak loud enough that either will hear me, chances are the person in the other room I am trying to communicate with will hear me too.

Having both will either make you appreciate what they each do better than the other, or more likely, frustrate you when you want to do something that device doesn't do.

My Chromecast should arrive next week, and, as I understand it, Alexa won't talk to it, so that will be another interesting test.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on February 22, 2019, 07:47:13 PM
I have Siri and Google. Because Apple ignores The Netherlands (No Apple pay, no HomePods (I do have them), no Dutch Siri on the HomePods etc.) I bought the Google mini's.
Talk to them for accessing 1 item. For the scenes I stick with Siri.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on February 24, 2019, 04:04:41 PM
I like the drop in feature on the Echo's, but I wish when they released a new feature it was world wide. Still not able to call phones with them unless they have the Alexa app.  In the US you can call any number in your contacts.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 24, 2019, 04:27:39 PM
I am making my first call on the Alexa right now.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on February 24, 2019, 11:24:19 PM
I am making my first call on the Alexa right now.

Def

Are you still waiting for an answer :ahhh

 :D
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 25, 2019, 12:36:57 AM
No, it actually worked quite well.

Just like any other speaker phone anyway.  :D

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on February 25, 2019, 03:56:38 AM
Good to know :salute:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 25, 2019, 11:29:37 AM
One thing to remember when using it to make calls is that they tend to come up on the other person's phone as Unknown Name, Unknown Number or similar, so the person on the other end may not bother responding.

That's why it had taken me so long to actually make a call on it- no one answered the first few times.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on April 08, 2019, 11:43:04 PM
Amazon echo and dots are reduced again in their spring sale
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on April 09, 2019, 08:02:47 AM
I have a dot on the way, spring sale in Spain means 35 instead of 60.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on April 10, 2019, 08:48:17 PM
Dot arrived, plugged in, was pretty painless to setup to be honest

Haven't done much with it yet but I'm liking what I see so far
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on April 10, 2019, 10:13:48 PM
There's a battery speaker base for the dot 3 now, the reviews say it gives better sound than the echo plus and gives 8 hours of power. I'll get one sometime for use when I'm doing bbq's
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on April 14, 2019, 07:19:35 AM
Really haven't used any of my smart devices in a bit :ahhh Need to use them more I guess :facepalm: Still debating on when and what to get with smart bulbs and plugs :think: I have also been looking really hard at the Nest Thermostat :salute:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on April 14, 2019, 10:09:15 AM
mostly been using ours for timers and alarms so far, and a bit of music.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on April 15, 2019, 10:27:10 PM
I have been using mine largely for watching TV (Mini controls Netflix and Chromecast very well), as well as timers, reference info (weather, conversions etc), music and news.

I also love the Chromecast for the slideshows.  I have it set to show photos of friends and family photos that I have stored in Google Photos and it randomly shows them on the TV.  It is great to be reminded of various adventures that we've been on- most of the time I can identify them immediately, but some of them I have completely forgotten about, and it's great to be reminded!  :D

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on June 04, 2019, 03:18:14 PM
Echo Dots are on offer again
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on June 07, 2019, 01:06:03 PM
I have two Google Nest Hubs now. One functions as a picture frame in my living room and the second one is on my nightstand as an alarm clock.
Love them!!!
Also have three Mini's in other rooms. Works great for some music and I can control my lights etc. everywhere now.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on June 08, 2019, 11:09:49 PM
They are indeed addictive.

I have an Alexa Echo Dot 3 in the living room and a Home Mini in the bedroom.  I find the Home Mini is a lot better overall, and there's honestly not much I prefer about the Echo Dot.  Nothing significant, at least.

For example, I like the LED lighting on the Dot.  It is much more visible, so I know Alexa has heard me and I can continue with my command.  The green light that indicates which microphone is being used is also a nice feature, although to be honest, neither of these really offset the issues with Alexa.

For example, I use them both mostly as a radio, and I listen to a local station called Q104.  I tell Google to play Q104 and it automatically brings up my local Q104, which makes sense because I probably want to listen to my local station.  If I give the same command to Alexa, she either plays some other station or tells me that the station I want to listen to is not available in my area.  Then I say "Alexa, play 104.3" and she will play the correct station (wrong one is apparently 104.5, in Mexico or the southern US somewhere), but what's really annoying is that she will respond with "okay, playing Q104 on Tunein."

If she knew it was Q104, why the hell did I have to specify?

The Home Mini is a lot more intuitive, and I like that I can control my Chromecast.  For example, I just walk into the room, and if the TV is on I just say "okay Google, play Family Guy" and it will automatically pull up Netflix and start playing Family Guy on the nearest TV.  I can also play, pause, advance to the next episode, restart the current episode or go to the previous episode all by talking to it.  Not so with Alexa, although maybe that would work better if I had a Firestick instead of Chromecast.

The other day I also asked them both a couple of random questions.  I asked them both what the three laws of robotics were, and both gave me comprehensive (and correct!) answers, which was nice.  I then followed up by asking what the three rules for keeping a Mogwai was, and only Google was able to respond.  I will say that I wasn't 100% thrilled with the response from Google as it mentioned all three rules but only talked about what happens with bright light and water, and nothing about feeding them after midnight, which seems like perhaps the most important warning.   :facepalm:

Of course, that was still miles better than Alexa's complete lack of a response.

I also like that the Home Mini listens for follow up commands- or even non commands.  For example, my parents did an excellent job of teaching me to say please and thank you, and I often say please and thank you to Google.  Google often responds with "you are welcome" or other, similar responses.  I know it's not a big thing, but I appreciate these kinds of details, and it makes me want to use it more.

Unfortunately the one place that I think Alexa may outshine the Home Mini is with shopping lists, and that is one feature I really don't use on either.

After a few months of playing with both I can see why someone was willing to trade their Echo Dot for a Home Mini.  I want to add more smart home features to my house, and I have to say, in my limited experience, Google seems like it would be much better suited to controlling things than Alexa.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on June 10, 2019, 12:21:58 PM
Not specifically a smart home device but has the features of one :cheers: does anyone have an Nvidia Shield TV :think: I have been looking and researching one of these and am really trying to debate about getting it but the price keeps me hung up about it :ahhh if it really is as great as all the reviews say then I very well may pull the trigger for one :dd:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on June 10, 2019, 02:40:23 PM
I also like that the Home Mini listens for follow up commands- or even non commands. 

So do the Amazon Echo's, it must come disabled as default over there. Just turn on follow-up mode in the Alexa app.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on June 10, 2019, 09:58:07 PM
So do the Amazon Echo's, it must come disabled as default over there. Just turn on follow-up mode in the Alexa app.

Thanks for the heads up- I will give that a look.   :tu:

I'm not sure who's app is more convoluted, although Google's seems convoluted because it does more, while Alexa's just seems convoluted because they can.   :facepalm:

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on June 11, 2019, 12:59:25 PM
Having mostly only used Amazon's app, yes it's a bit of a PITA.

I have it installed on my sofa tablet, and initially was hoping all my amazon stuff would play nicely together.

My firetv stick is basic, which has no voice support, and to add insult to injury, does not connect with the dot.

Also I haven't really had much luck trying to add apps to the firetv using either my tablet or desktop, only using the Fire Tv itself which without voice is an epic PITA to navigate the "amazon apps store" Most of the apps I have tried are useless in Spain, which makes me wonder why they show them to begin with. Finding the relevant android apps such as local tv streaming apps is sometimes easier to do externally. Seriously how hard can it be to add "send to device" support like you can with the play store, especially when devices are linked to the amazon account  :facepalm:

I mainly only use the Fire Tv for 2 things at the moment, running prime video, or kodi which I had no problem getting installed and running. The Fire Tv basic does seem to have CEC built in so I can use the tv remote to control it, and also allows me to use bluetooth headphones when using either of those apps (but not with regular TV obviously, since our TV does not have bluetooth integrated).

I have yet to do anything with the smart switches I picked up, mainly because I would like to set it up so that both the manual switch and the smart switch can toggle lights, and it's a little more complex to setup.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on July 16, 2019, 03:48:24 PM
I made the most of amazon prime day, sadly the deals were only 2 per customer.  I treated myself to an updated my firestick, I have the gen 1 stick so now have the 4K one on the way while they were 50% off, and also got one for an xmas present for my neice.

I also got a couple of dot 3's for xmas presents while they were at £20 instead of £49.99, and got another one in a bundle with an amazon smart plug for £31 instead of £74.98 that it should have been.

That's half my xmas shopping done already  :rofl:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on July 17, 2019, 08:45:56 PM
Well since I'm abroad I didn't get anything. Barely looked tbh, but there were some good opportunities I suppose
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on July 18, 2019, 03:12:15 PM
Yeah there were.  They limited them all to 2 per customer this time though as it got silly with delivery lead time on them last time.  I was less than impressed with the delivery of one parcel that was left in my flower bed because no one was home  :twak:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 25, 2019, 12:38:34 PM
Black Friday deals are on for echo's on amazon and also advertised for the google nest mini to
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 25, 2019, 12:40:23 PM
I've updated my full size 2nd gen echo to a 3rd gen with the better speakers that the plus has.  It seems to have better mic's as well as it hears me easier, and is faster than the gen 2.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 25, 2019, 08:07:46 PM
I've ordered an echo dot for 22eur and a firetv with voice remote for 25, my old firetv doesn't have the voice remote. sadly we don't get the 4k firetv for the barn fire sale the US users do.

the idea is to have one for France and the other home in Spain
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on November 28, 2019, 11:20:13 AM
I got 2 of the 4k firetv sticks for xmas presents for my niece and sister to upgrade their gen 1 firesticks.  I did mine earlier in the year on amazon prime day and they are so much faster.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 28, 2019, 08:34:58 PM
I would have if they were remotely close to the US price, but not double.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Roc on November 30, 2019, 01:18:10 AM
I am completely stupid when it comes to how all this works. My 8 yr old wanted a TV for his bedroom, which I was happy to oblige. Sick of watching video games being played and YouTube videos of kids playing with the same toys he has. I plan to upgrade my TV in February. My sons TV is an LG and I’ll probably follow suit when it comes to mine. Which smart speakers should I adopt to make my home “smarter”? I have a google mini that I got free from Spotify, but have no idea which system would be easiest to integrate. I want to be able to control my streaming with them also.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on December 01, 2019, 11:03:40 AM
In theory they all work similarly, perhaps it makes sense to stick with one ecosystem. Currently I have firetv and echo dots, even though I would like a Google device, or something more impartial like some of the diy options posted before.

Depends on what you want to do with it.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: SteveC on December 01, 2019, 04:41:12 PM
Bought three Echo dots for the house.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on December 01, 2019, 05:31:14 PM
Bought three Echo dots for the house.
Lol, we just bought 2 more alexa’s one for the dinning room and one for the bathroom, so we will have one in every room, total of 7
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on December 02, 2019, 03:50:18 PM
Here’s the one I put in the bathroom yesterday, I didn’t have anywhere to sit it so we bought a shelf setup to go along with it, as you can see it’s designed to go with a single plug but with a little thinking a leatherman and Dremel, I cut away the one side and it works fine. I thought the plug goes in the top one but won’t fit, it has to go in the bottom, but then will run up the side, then the extra like 4ft of cord is stored inside the top of the shelf itself, idk why but was a pain to open! So I don’t have a pic.. cute little setup..
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 03, 2019, 04:36:21 PM
I'd like one in the bathroom for easy music in the shower, but we can't do like you have. Over here you can't have standard outlets in bathrooms, shaver sockets only, which the power cube on echoes won't plug in to.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: MadPlumbarian on December 03, 2019, 05:14:44 PM
I'd like one in the bathroom for easy music in the shower, but we can't do like you have. Over here you can't have standard outlets in bathrooms, shaver sockets only, which the power cube on echoes won't plug in to.
Yeah you can’t have standard plugs near water here they have to be gfci, which is a breaker, if you look closely between the two you can see two little buttons, which are test and reset, Incase you drop your hairdryer in the sink..
JR
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 06, 2019, 12:41:12 PM
Can't have those either over here.  I've got one of THESE (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Docking-Speaker-Echo-Generation/dp/B07L37P38J/ref=sr_1_12?adgrpid=51707987685&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjILWy_ag5gIVx7TtCh2JEAH7EAAYASAAEgK-DvD_BwE&hvadid=259054001666&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007055&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4286228115090186364&hvtargid=aud-613701470069%3Akwd-302902454280&hydadcr=5083_1827841&keywords=echo+dot+battery+base&qid=1575632001&sr=8-12) battery/speaker bases for the 3rd gen dot so am using that at the mo, but would like a permanent install.  It's handy for taking camping to and linking to my phone hot spot.

I've just set up a dot in my office at work now to.  Security gave me access to their wifi so I brought the one in that I used to have in my bedroom. I replaced it recently with the full size Gen 2 I used to have in the living room which I upgraded to the new Gen 3 when it was released.  My boss thinks I'm running it off my phone wifi because security asked me not to tell anyone they gave me their password.

As its linked to my personal account I also unplug it and lock it away at night as an extra precaution, even though I have voice ordering disabled on my account.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 06, 2020, 04:56:31 PM
I added another Gen 3 echo to my setup at xmas and set up a stereo pair of them in the living room. They sound good alone, but are amazing as a stereo pair.

I also got some teckin smart plugs. They are a pain to set up as they will only work on a 2.4Ghz WIFI network so you either have to split your network or disable 5Ghz.  I split mine and have left all my Alexa and smart home devices on the 2.4GHz and moved tablets, phones, etc over to the 5Ghz one.  They are 13A rated and much smaller than most smart plugs, unlike my Hive and Amazon ones which are huge.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 07, 2020, 08:21:18 PM
I have yet to setup the new dot in Paris, but the FireTV is up and running...

amazing how they manage to keep making stuff smaller and smaller!

that being said, the 170 W power brick for my new laptop is huge!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 08, 2020, 10:03:46 AM
Which FireTV did you go for? The cube or the 4K stick?
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on January 08, 2020, 10:14:00 AM
Normal stick with voice remote. 4k is double price over here.

Plugged in the dot last night, setup was even easier this time.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 08, 2020, 02:15:47 PM
The robbing gits.

Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 09, 2020, 10:45:15 AM
Stuffed the house with Sonos.
Switched out a Google Mini (Which means I made an extra room 'smart' now). Everybody's complaining about how bad Google listens on Sonos, but I have absolutely no problems.
And… Great sound!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 09, 2020, 10:56:44 AM
Have they expanded the language selection yet with the Google home to include Dutch so you can use your native tongue or are you still having to use English with them?  Amazon haven't yet and I see a lot of people asking on the FB help page about it.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on January 09, 2020, 11:07:21 AM
Have they expanded the language selection yet with the Google home to include Dutch so you can use your native tongue or are you still having to use English with them?  Amazon haven't yet and I see a lot of people asking on the FB help page about it.
That's why I also added Google to my home in 2018. It speaks Dutch and makes everything so much easier. And yes, the Sonos does so too.
I have two HomePods for two years now and they still don't speak Dutch. Drives me a bit crazy…
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on June 19, 2020, 02:12:00 PM
They have finally released the echo auto over here this week.  I've wanted one for quite a while, and seeing as I had a £20 amazon voucher to reduce the cost down to an acceptable level, I treated myself to one which should arrive later today.

 :ahhh :ahhh :mail:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on July 17, 2020, 09:56:21 AM
I'm loving the echo auto.  I can see that if you had one of the more modern stereos that had android play or whatever its called it wouldn't be needed, but for mine that doesn't even have bluetooth its ideal.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on August 05, 2020, 12:26:54 AM
I've done a bit more accumulating since my last post.

In Ottawa I have:

2x Google Home Minis (1x First gen, 1x 2nd gen)
2x Smart plugs (generic)
2x Chromecast

In Halifax I have:

2x Google Home Minis
1x Alexa Echo Dot
1x Lenovo Smart Clock
1x Smart switch for the bedroom light
2x Chromecast
1x smart camera that I rarely plug in, but got free with the Lenovo
3x Nest smart thermostats (1 per unit in my 3 unit building)

I have to say, I am most impressed with the Lenovo smart clock- if I had gotten it before any of the Minis, I doubt I would have gotten Minis.  It does everything the Mini does and has a display on it as well.  I got it specifically so that when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the washroom, I don't have to disturb Megan to get the time, as I don't have any other visible clocks in the house, besides the stove.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on August 05, 2020, 09:00:44 AM
Very nice. 

I am still amazon echo all the way for my smart speakers, right now I have..

2x 3rd gen full size echoes, set up in a stereo pair.
5x 3rd gen echo dots
1x 2nd gen full size echo
1x echo auto
1x echo buds (amazons bluetooth earbuds that can control alexa)
2x 3rd gen 4K firesticks
1x 1st gen firestick
Hive system with their hub for the heating and hot water
Hive smart thermostat
5x hive smart bulbs
2x hive smart plugs
4x teckin smart plugs

I'd like to replace the 3rd gen echoes with a pair of the echo studio and a sub woofer, but they are way to expensive at the mo.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Serena on August 27, 2020, 09:40:31 PM
I can’t even count all my devices.
Use HomeKit as my main system. Last weekend I spend my time connecting HomeKit with Google.
I can now trigger my HomeKit scenes with my Google/Nest hubs/minis.
Gotta love HomeBridge.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200827/c32bb25b274363b9450d270d6a3f2683.jpg)
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on October 07, 2020, 04:36:28 PM
That's impressive.  I'll never go to that level of automation.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on October 07, 2020, 04:37:22 PM
Amazon prime day on Oct 13th/14th should be some good deals, hopefully the studios will be reduced, I fancy a stereo pair of those in my living room.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 10, 2022, 04:20:33 PM
I just added a ring 4 doorbell camera and show 8 2nd gen to display it on to my slowly growing collection of smart home devices.

I'd read loads of reviews about various doorbells and a lot of them were conflicting about picture quality, so never pulled the trigger on one as a result.  After seeing a ring 2 on someone else's phone I finally decided to get one and its been great so far.  Battery life won't be anywhere near as advertised due to the settings I have meaning it will drain much faster, but I have a spare so should only be a minute to swap it out. If you ever get a battery ring doorbell, definitely buy a spare, they take 7 to 8 hours to charge (and that was from 30% out of the box).  I figure now I have stopped playing with settings often and its just doing its normal thing, I'll get 2 months out of a battery instead of 3 to 6 as can be possible.  Though I have no idea how with the sensible settings most will want, which I think mine are.

Day picture quality is good and night picture quality is far better than I thought it would be. The only annoying thing with it so far is people walking past my yard at night. Even though I have the motion zone set for in my yard, their shadow created by the new LED streetlight opposite is detected as a person in my motion zone, so sets it off.  I've created routines in the amazon app to display the camera motion detection only on the show 8 (and my phone & tablet) so we can see if its anyone actually coming in the yard, rather than an alert on every Alexa in the house as with doorbell presses.  I've only had it 3 weeks but so far I'm impressed with it, so much so I'm now looking at adding camera's to it.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: zoidberg on January 10, 2022, 09:35:22 PM
Good to see you Kev!!
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 11, 2022, 04:54:07 PM
Good to see you Kev!!

Thank you  :cheers:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Poncho65 on January 13, 2022, 01:30:44 AM
Good to see you Kev!!

 :iagree: :woohoo:

Been a while :ahhh
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 17, 2022, 03:10:53 PM
:iagree: :woohoo:

Been a while :ahhh

Thank you  :cheers:
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on January 17, 2022, 03:13:01 PM
I just added a ring 4 doorbell camera and show 8 2nd gen to display it on to my slowly growing collection of smart home devices.

I'd read loads of reviews about various doorbells and a lot of them were conflicting about picture quality, so never pulled the trigger on one as a result.  After seeing a ring 2 on someone else's phone I finally decided to get one and its been great so far.  Battery life won't be anywhere near as advertised due to the settings I have meaning it will drain much faster, but I have a spare so should only be a minute to swap it out. If you ever get a battery ring doorbell, definitely buy a spare, they take 7 to 8 hours to charge (and that was from 30% out of the box).  I figure now I have stopped playing with settings often and its just doing its normal thing, I'll get 2 months out of a battery instead of 3 to 6 as can be possible.  Though I have no idea how with the sensible settings most will want, which I think mine are.

Day picture quality is good and night picture quality is far better than I thought it would be. The only annoying thing with it so far is people walking past my yard at night. Even though I have the motion zone set for in my yard, their shadow created by the new LED streetlight opposite is detected as a person in my motion zone, so sets it off.  I've created routines in the amazon app to display the camera motion detection only on the show 8 (and my phone & tablet) so we can see if its anyone actually coming in the yard, rather than an alert on every Alexa in the house as with doorbell presses.  I've only had it 3 weeks but so far I'm impressed with it, so much so I'm now looking at adding camera's to it.

Well I fixed that, by removing it and mounting it at the lower height they recommend of 48".  Would be nice if that instruction was in the box though rather than finding it a week later online and having screw holes to fill in my door frame.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 24, 2022, 07:38:46 PM
As it's that big yearly one day sale that lasts over a week now, we added a 5th gen Echo dot...
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on November 25, 2022, 05:22:49 AM
Nice.

We have a Google Home in every room already (yes, even that one!) and I'm really glad to have them.

I rarely ever use my Echo Dot anymore though.

Def
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Whoey on November 25, 2022, 09:05:01 AM
 It's supposed to have a better speaker than previous versions, and some sort of WiFi mesh capabilities, but you need a specific router I think. For 25€ it'll do. I want to pair the old ones with the tv or something.
Title: Re: Smart Home devices
Post by: Kev D on December 01, 2022, 12:25:04 PM
It's supposed to have a better speaker than previous versions, and some sort of WiFi mesh capabilities, but you need a specific router I think. For 25€ it'll do. I want to pair the old ones with the tv or something.

Yes you need the Eero mesh system, it acts as an extra 100mbit mesh node I believe. They also released the same capability in the full size gen 4 echo's. 

I have the Eero pro 6 mesh system, but haven't noticed any benefit with the echo's adding to it since they released that capability.  The mesh already has such a great signal I was already getting wifi speeds far in excess of 100mbit everywhere already so no idea if it helps or not.    When looking at the devices on my network through the Eero app, they are showing up as Eero built-in devices so assume they do something, maybe??