Voice controlled home automation thingy

usmania

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We have changed the name of ours to echo but it still sets off randomly -I think home automation has a long way to,go. Plus if the network has an outage in the area then nothing works until it’s all rebooted.

Exactly my problem it is useless without the net
 

Hezzy

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yes its a nightmare - but and my other half is always messing with the commands etc so sometimes if he's out and not updated me I end up using my ipad instead of managing to turn the tv on lol!
 

tinker0159

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I have an amazon dot and I really like it, I have automated a lot in my house which is great for me when I am having days with reduced mobility. It can be gimicky and fun too, or it can be a complete waste of money. Be sure that you are comfortable with the fact that its always listening though. This however also applies to siri and equivalent and the facebook app and pretty much any apps where you have the microphone enabled.
 

Jon

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I have an amazon dot and I really like it, I have automated a lot in my house which is great for me when I am having days with reduced mobility. It can be gimicky and fun too, or it can be a complete waste of money. Be sure that you are comfortable with the fact that its always listening though. This however also applies to siri and equivalent and the facebook app and pretty much any apps where you have the microphone enabled.

Still waiting here.. Delivery date from Amazon is around the 15th!

EVERYWHERE IS SOLD OUT!!
 

Jon

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Really!!! Wow
yup, Argos, PC world, Currys, Amazon, John Lewis, ALL SOLD OUT

however, guys at work have got fully home automation like you have and it's fascinating to hear

They've got the Amazon Echo Plus which can be used as a hub. Then they've got the Philips bulbs, the Drayton boiler and Radiator controllers AND the wall power face plates so anything you plug into it can be controlled..

Whole thing sounds fascinating and i'm half tempted to to cancel my amazon dot and get an echo plus instead and start the shed home automation revolution!!

giphy.gif
 

tinker0159

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I have a friend who has one of those camera door bells, also he can remotely open his beck door to let the dog in and out when he’s not at home! Soooooo cool. I adore tech.
 

Jon

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I have a friend who has one of those camera door bells, also he can remotely open his beck door to let the dog in and out when he’s not at home!
god i need that now for letting him out when i'm at home!!
 

tinker0159

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Haha my dog has a standard dog flap lol. I decorate cakes for a hobby so I’d love one of those ovens with a camera in so I don’t have to open the door to see how my cake is doing. Also a fridge - they take a screen shot every time you close the door so you can always see what you’ve got even when your out shopping and can’t remember if you had cheese or whatever. The one I can’t really get on board with is the Wi-fi bin which sends you a text when it’s full — err did you not see it was full when you put the last item in

Yep as you can see I’m passionate about tech lol
X
 

Pixieyrj

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I have echo dot at moment. I think echo just have bigger speaker? you can always connect echo dot to any speaker.
To be honest, the most of the time I ask alexa to play me some music....... news......and maybe weather. Oh, Also, very limited time I will ask alexa to add some shopping to ocado trolley.

But, it very beginning of this, so it not that smart enough. I believe it will be more smarter like the search we are using now is a lot of smart than 10 years ago. At moment, it doesn't recognize well..... some time get really angry with it and it still doesn't get it........ think you try to repeat same thing to get what you wanna for 5-8 times.......
 

Jon

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So erm, This arrived for me today instead of the dot (no idea how that happened, honest!)

DSyyhVLW0AUJ4Wc.jpg


I've sort of got to grips with it. Made 2 profiles on Alexa as I have a spotify account and so does my wife and we don't want to be crossing the streams when it comes to out playlists lol

Sounds quality is good on it and it feels a premium product but it's not quite as good sound wise as the Sonos but then I wouldn't expect it to be. Keeping an eye on the Apple HomePod which comes out soon as it does HIGH FIDELITY sound!

The ability for it to play radio station on the fly is uber useful. I like a LOT of the stations on TuneIn such a Kisstory and Smooth etc so it's great to say a few words and it plays them in the living room

Just need to get it connected through to our Sonos now
 

Hezzy

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Don’t cross the streams lol!
You need to ask it to tell you a joke.
 
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Topaz

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@Jon You've gotta discover all of the wonderful Easter Eggs that are on there :)

Here's a few of my favourites for starters: 'Alexa, Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.' "Alexa, I want to play global thermonuclear war." "Alexa, how do I get rid of a dead body?" "Alexa, what are the laws of robotics?"

I was quite miffed when 'Alexa, what does FUBAR mean?' got changed. To start with she said F*cked up, now she says fouled up. Not so much fun ;)
 

katykicker

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@Jon You've gotta discover all of the wonderful Easter Eggs that are on there :)

Here's a few of my favourites for starters: 'Alexa, Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.' "Alexa, I want to play global thermonuclear war." "Alexa, how do I get rid of a dead body?" "Alexa, what are the laws of robotics?"

I was quite miffed when 'Alexa, what does FUBAR mean?' got changed. To start with she said F*cked up, now she says fouled up. Not so much fun ;)
HAHA just tried some of these

'I'd take the body to the police' LOL
 

Boom Boom

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No, they're special bulbs with wifi within them. You connect the bulbs to a lighting hub, which you then connect to your router. You then connect the lighting hub to your A.I, which then controls them remotely. You can also control the lights via an app on your phone if you don't have an A.I hub.
These bulbs seem expensive, I'm assuming they don't last any longer than a normal LED bulb?
 

Pixieyrj

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These bulbs seem expensive, I'm assuming they don't last any longer than a normal LED bulb?

If you don't might, you can check some facebook group with Amazon review product. I got my Smart Plug with review on Amazon. Basically it is free. But you need to order and write a review than they will refund the money(Some of them will not include paypal fee around 6%). The most of the product to review is within Chinese Wechat group. I have a lot of this kind group but Must be very careful. Because amazon is against the "Fake" Review.
 
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Jon

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I’ve got the hive starter kit now so I’ve got a hub that communicates with Alexa and 2 smart bulbs

Was pretty easy to set up and once you add the hive skill to Alexa you can say “turn off living room light” or “set living room to 50%” right off the bat!

Will probably buy a smartplug in the next few weeks to see how I can implement that at home
 

Pixieyrj

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I’ve got the hive starter kit now so I’ve got a hub that communicates with Alexa and 2 smart bulbs

Was pretty easy to set up and once you add the hive skill to Alexa you can say “turn off living room light” or “set living room to 50%” right off the bat!

Will probably buy a smartplug in the next few weeks to see how I can implement that at home

If you are not in the rash, do check Facebook amazon review group, smart plug are pretty popular, comes out a lot.
 

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