crashV👀d👀
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Post by crashV👀d👀 on Dec 23, 2021 11:39:46 GMT
We have Alexa kit around the house for music etc. but the OH is wanting to add some other things in with voice control/remote activation while out and about.
I've been doing some research on plugs/bulbs as a starter and was hoping it was as simple as plugging them in and connecting them to either the router or Alexa but they seem to require their own bespoke apps for setp each with varying privacy policies about the shit they'll harvest. The Amazon recommended ones seem to catch fire with a little bit of load through them so giving them a wide berth.
Anybody using anything along these lines and have any recommendations?
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Post by TheSaint on Dec 23, 2021 11:43:13 GMT
Stick to the Hue stuff and you'll be fine. It does need an app to set them up but it is super easy.
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Derblington
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Post by Derblington on Dec 23, 2021 11:48:22 GMT
I’ve got some Nanoleaf light panels in my living and bedrooms. You set them up with their app but then I can control them via Apple Home.
They have bulbs too, and don’t require their own network set-up like Hue.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2021 11:55:24 GMT
I've got about a dozen smart switches, bulbs and extension leads in the house and have used them for years. Most use the Smart Life app and once setup, you can forget about them and just use the Alexa App.
I've had a couple die on me and every now and then one will forget that it's connected to my network, but in the whole they've been fine. Don't get ones that need your own hub as I've had much swearing about those when trying to fix them and then seen the hub is turned off.
I can get you Amazon links if you like for the ones I have.
I mostly use them for turning on lights at dusk or turning on out of the way sockets. Also handy for seeing when the kids have snuck the TV on in their room.
The light bulbs are a bit of a pain as people in the house forget they're smart and then just touch the switch which makes it forget the network. I've given up on those. I've still got some garden lights though which are kind of decent and will change colour or chase sound etc.
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Post by Abarth71 on Dec 23, 2021 11:59:45 GMT
I've got the Hue stuff, including a lightstrip along the back of the tv cabinet.  |
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Bongo Heracles
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Post by Bongo Heracles on Dec 23, 2021 12:01:44 GMT
We have a couple of TP-Link Tapo smart plugs for hard to reach lamps and christmas lights.
They do need the TP link app (and its, frankly, horrendous privacy policy) to set up but after that everything is controlled through either the alexa app or voice.
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crashV👀d👀
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Post by crashV👀d👀 on Dec 23, 2021 12:41:57 GMT
We have a couple of TP-Link Tapo smart plugs for hard to reach lamps and christmas lights. They do need the TP link app (and its, frankly, horrendous privacy policy) to set up but after that everything is controlled through either the alexa app or voice. yes the TP-Link Tapo, it's these ones I was referring to RE: the priv policy. |
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crashV👀d👀
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Post by crashV👀d👀 on Dec 23, 2021 12:42:54 GMT
I've got the Hue stuff, including a lightstrip along the back of the tv cabinet. |
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crashV👀d👀
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Post by crashV👀d👀 on Dec 23, 2021 12:46:35 GMT
that would be good quitsking, if you don't mind. I don't want an exhaustive list but some starter recommendations would be ideal. @all that use this stuff Is it a case of just using the bespoke 'apps' to complete initial set-up and then once paired with alexa/google/apple you can bin off the app or do you have to keep it around ? I think what I'm after is something that's the least invasive. I already give most of my data to amazon/google i don't want lots of random chinese vendors listening in on me |
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Post by Abarth71 on Dec 23, 2021 12:51:29 GMT
that would be good quitsking , if you don't mind. I don't want an exhaustive list but some starter recommendations would be ideal. @all that use this stuff Is it a case of just using the bespoke 'apps' to complete initial set-up and then once paired with alexa/google/apple you can bin off the app or do you have to keep it around ? I think what I'm after is something that's the least invasive. I already give most of my data to amazon/google i don't want lots of random chinese vendors listening in on me TBH I find myself still using the Hue app even though I can control the lights using Google and also via the tv. Just easier to set the brightness and colour through the native app. |
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robthehermit
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Post by robthehermit on Dec 23, 2021 12:54:39 GMT
I just use the cheapo generic china plugs off Amazon, they all connect through Smart Life and the Alexa. I just use them to turn the lights on so I don't have to get up and also one of them turns off at 12.30 to remind me that I've got half an hour or so before I need to think about calling it a night.
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Derblington
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Post by Derblington on Dec 23, 2021 12:57:09 GMT
I’ve kept the nanoleaf app, for firmware updates and setting schedules. I don’t really use it anymore though, it’s just in my automation folder on the phone. The lights in both rooms have various schedules for on/off and changing colours: the bedroom lights turn on gradually in the morning with my alarm, and then shut off until the evening when they match my living room. My living room lights are bright during the day and go to a low warm glow after 8pm.
And then I just use the Home app at night to push one button to shut them all off when I go to bed.
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robthehermit
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Post by robthehermit on Dec 23, 2021 12:58:07 GMT
As an aside, Mrs Hermit was well against the idea because she thought I was lazy enough as it was, a week in and she wondered how we ever lived without it.
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Post by TheSaint on Dec 23, 2021 13:02:42 GMT
I’ve kept the nanoleaf app, for firmware updates and setting schedules. I don’t really use it anymore though, it’s just in my automation folder on the phone. The lights in both rooms have various schedules for on/off and changing colours: the bedroom lights turn on gradually in the morning with my alarm, and then shut off until the evening when they match my living room. My living room lights are bright during the day and go to a low warm glow after 8pm. And then I just use the Home app at night to push one button to shut them all off when I go to bed. Have the Nanoleafs helped you get more subscribers for your Youtube channel? |
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Derblington
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Did you know I have a girlfriend
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Post by Derblington on Dec 23, 2021 13:10:34 GMT
Don’t be jelly, you can be as cool as me!
The gf chose them. I was just after some wall lamps for the rooms and she chose the ones she thought were most interesting. They’re actually pretty good as they have a ton of (largely pointless, for me) functionality, but I use the schedules and being able to control them via the app and touching the panels makes them nice and easy.
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nexus6
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Post by nexus6 on Dec 23, 2021 13:18:53 GMT
There is a certain amount of faff with these things even using Alexa and Hue for example.
I get a little sad when I find myself worrying and stressing over the optimal naming convention for room lights once or twice a year.
That said, Hue colour bulbs are great!
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Post by stixxuk on Dec 23, 2021 13:54:04 GMT
All this stuff can be super fiddly.
Lots of stuff connected up but all I really use is Alexa as a kitchen radio and timer (and occasionally to open or close the blinds)
I've come to realise though that just because something says it has smart integration sure as shit doesn't mean it's going to play nicely with everything else you've got, so never worth banking on it.
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スコットランド
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Post by スコットランド on Dec 23, 2021 14:03:06 GMT
I've got the Hue stuff, including a lightstrip along the back of the tv cabinet. What are your prints? |
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Post by technoish on Dec 23, 2021 14:14:09 GMT
I have hue bulbs for almost the entire house (just not bathrooms, the closet, and the loft).
Control them via voice on alexas or the hue switches I have put on top of the proper switches. I only use the hue app for fine tuning / fun light shows or rooms with no alexas and I am lazy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2021 14:20:48 GMT
Last ones I bought were these www.amazon.co.uk/Socket-Amazon-Google-Wireless-Control/dp/B085LY7W7G/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_i=B085LY7W7G&psc=1 They have their own app, but it doesn't bother me. I've the smart Life app, the kasa app, the meross app and magic home. Once you set them up using their app, you then get your Alexa App to look for new plugs and it does the rest. You can then forget about the original app unless there's a problem with them. I've not had any problems with meross and use them on a mesh system with no issues. I have them named (eg work and gym) and just say Alexa Work On and it's done. In the living room, I've got them turning on 15 minutes before dusk and have the Christmas tree called Christmas. I have all my plugs set to go off at 11:30 in case the kids forget and leave something on. I've a multi colour bulb in the living room, waterproof multi colour spots outside and a couple of cameras linked to my echo show. This all started with a single echo for that my wife was convinced was rubbish until we got it. Then, like COVID, the bloody things were everywhere. We've got an echo in every room now. Briefly dabbled with a smart plug for the kettle, but 1) it didn't bring the drinks upstairs to bed 2) the current drawn tended to kill the plugs after a while. |
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Psiloc
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Post by Psiloc on Dec 23, 2021 14:48:04 GMT
Has anyone got any creative uses for the ton of surplus smart plugs I've got knocking around?
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Post by Zomoniac on Dec 23, 2021 14:58:49 GMT
Has anyone got any creative uses for the ton of surplus smart plugs I've got knocking around? My favourite use for one is the slow cooker, if something needs six hours I can turn it on from work. Though I’m full time wfh now so not sure that will ever come in useful again. |
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Post by technoish on Dec 23, 2021 18:06:16 GMT
Has anyone got any creative uses for the ton of surplus smart plugs I've got knocking around? My favourite use for one is the slow cooker, if something needs six hours I can turn it on from work. Though I’m full time wfh now so not sure that will ever come in useful again. How does this work? You fill it up before work and then it sits there at room temperature building up deadly bacteria? |
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Post by Abarth71 on Dec 23, 2021 18:18:03 GMT
I've got the Hue stuff, including a lightstrip along the back of the tv cabinet. What are your prints? My favourite anime and some old motorsport ones.  |
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Post by Zomoniac on Dec 23, 2021 18:23:25 GMT
My favourite use for one is the slow cooker, if something needs six hours I can turn it on from work. Though I’m full time wfh now so not sure that will ever come in useful again. How does this work? You fill it up before work and then it sits there at room temperature building up deadly bacteria? Correct. |
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Post by technoish on Dec 23, 2021 19:02:33 GMT
Oki! Braver soul than me  Most meat recipes are 7/8 hours, so I can start it as leaving, e.g 830, cook for 8 hours, and it has a 2 hour (safe) keep warm function, so will be ok until 1830. |
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Post by khanivor on Dec 26, 2021 16:20:25 GMT
I have loads of bulbs and a few plugs. Merkury brand bought from Walmart. Not sure of a single in UK but as the app is called Geeni it screams to me that they are sold elsewhere under another name.
They are cheap. Got a new four pack of color changers - color changers are only ones to buy, imo, especially with a kid in the house - for twenty bucks. The Hue bulbs are an insane rip off, just pure theft.
I’ve got a couple other brands and once setup in their native app Alexa works well. Unless you are wanting to pick colors on the slider or setup musical responses.
I’ve a plug for the lizard’s lights. So handy to wake up and say “Kiwi on”. (Kiwi is her name)
When I was using a drip coffee machine I’d fill it at night. In morning, “coffee on” then by time I’d make it out of bed and to kitchen there was a freshly brewed pot of coffee waiting
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crashV👀d👀
Junior Member
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Post by crashV👀d👀 on Dec 26, 2021 23:01:17 GMT
Turns out the brother in law has some of the tplink Tapo plugs. Says they're really good too.
Maybe I should just dive in to a brand and try them out.
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ekz
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Post by ekz on May 2, 2022 4:28:34 GMT
I just got an echo dot, where can I go from here? I got it mainly for the clock/speaker but I'd be interested in learning more about setting up a house-wide system with more.
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Post by muddyfunster on May 16, 2022 22:54:42 GMT
I just got an echo dot, where can I go from here? I got it mainly for the clock/speaker but I'd be interested in learning more about setting up a house-wide system with more. [br There's so much you can do the possibilities are almost endless, but a simple way to start is by adding a light bulb and or plugs to devices. Really you need to think about what you want to achieve longer term. i.e. save money by bring more energy efficient? save time by automating aspects of your daily routine? improve security? cool pointless stuff? Then gradually buy smart tech in sales to build up your eco system. To give an idea, my favourite automation is that all my lights turn off, and unnecessary appliances get powered down and the burglar alarm is armed when I say 'Alexa, goodnight'. Need a fair amount of extra smart kit to get to that stage mind you. |
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