Amazon Echo

[Sticks.]

Podie said:

Shaw Tarse said:

Have any car manufacturers joined in yet?
"Alexa defrost the car"

I believe BMW i models can be locked / unlocked, check battery level etc

Yes, it's on the BMW Connected app.

[JonV8V]

Shaw Tarse said:

Have any car manufacturers joined in yet?
"Alexa defrost the car"

There's a tesla owner trying to get it going using ifttt or something. I think he has it working at home but nit oublished it yet

[ajprice]

JonV8V said:

There's a tesla owner trying to get it going using ifttt or something. I think he has it working at home but nit oublished it yet

This one? Opens the garage door and rolls the Tesla out onto the driveway. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-voice-comma...

[JonV8V]

ajprice said:

JonV8V said:

There's a tesla owner trying to get it going using ifttt or something. I think he has it working at home but nit oublished it yet

This one? Opens the garage door and rolls the Tesla out onto the driveway. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-voice-comma...

No.. it's a uk guy on the official owners group. He shared the list of comands he was trying to get working which were most you'd do from the app li,e set charge limit, start charge and ask what the current charge level was. There are quite a few geeks in that group, one has published a garmin app for your watch to check charge levels.

[anonymous-user]

Right.

A couple of weeks in to Alexa ownership, I've had a bit of a read around on IFFT, Harmony etc and I’m feeling a bit lost. If anyone can answer a few core questions for me, I’d appreciate it.

I realise I need a hub, but do I need a hub for each element – so one for Hue, one for something else, etc? Or would a hive or harmony hub see/run everything? Reading the product specific websites they obviously don’t even mention competitiors. Googling compatibility with Alexa just brings up coding pages, which I’ll be totally honest are so far beyond my understanding it’s not even worth thinking about.

What do I need – ideally I’d like dimmable warm white lights in a mix of lamps and main lights, and maybe a coujple of sockets, and potential future compatibility with TV etc.

Is there a simple guide? I’m about as knowledgable as a pensioneer when it comes to computers…

Thanks all!

Edited by OpulentBob on Monday 16th January 10:07

[JonV8V]

OpulentBob said:

Right.

A couple of weeks in to Alexa ownership, I've had a bit of a read around on IFFT, Harmony etc and I’m feeling a bit lost. If anyone can answer a few core questions for me, I’d appreciate it.

I realise I need a hub, but do I need a hub for each element – so one for Hue, one for something else, etc? Or would a hive or harmony hub see/run everything? Reading the product specific websites they obviously don’t even mention competitiors. Googling compatibility with Alexa just brings up coding pages, which I’ll be totally honest are so far beyond my understanding it’s not even worth thinking about.

What do I need – ideally I’d like dimmable warm white lights in a mix of lamps and main lights, and maybe a coujple of sockets, and potential future compatibility with TV etc.

Is there a simple guide? I’m about as knowledgable as a pensioneer when it comes to computers…

Thanks all!

Edited by OpulentBob on Monday 16th January 10:07

I have a hub for each thing (evohome and lightwaverf). The way I see it, and happy to be corrected, is that each is a propriety system that can sit outside Alexa. Some of these may work together or be a standard, but most are unique to the manufacturer. All that Alexa does is access a gateway to these systems in the same way their app on your mobile phone does. IFTTT is similar and can be a bit more sophisticated in what it does, and bridges the gap to Alexa where Alexa doesn't have the skill.

Back to the hub, its the thing that transmits to your associated devices in the home. So without it, unless the devices attach directly to the internet, you can't talk to them to control them.

[Cotty]

OpulentBob said:

What do I need – ideally I’d like dimmable warm white lights in a mix of lamps and main lights, and maybe a coujple of sockets, and potential future compatibility with TV etc.

Is there a simple guide? I’m about as knowledgable as a pensioneer when it comes to computers…
Thanks all!

I have two Wemo plugs that work very well. You can set timers on them, my bedside lamp is set to go on for an hour every weekday morning. But can also be turned on and off by the Wemo app on your phone or via voice commands on Alexa.
I gom mine for less than £30 but they all seem to be £40 now. (you don't need a hive or hub just the plug and the app)
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5531141

I have heard good things about Philip Hue so going to get the starter kit and see what its like
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4970954

[pmanson]

OpulentBob said:

Right.

A couple of weeks in to Alexa ownership, I've had a bit of a read around on IFFT, Harmony etc and I’m feeling a bit lost. If anyone can answer a few core questions for me, I’d appreciate it.

I realise I need a hub, but do I need a hub for each element – so one for Hue, one for something else, etc? Or would a hive or harmony hub see/run everything? Reading the product specific websites they obviously don’t even mention competitiors. Googling compatibility with Alexa just brings up coding pages, which I’ll be totally honest are so far beyond my understanding it’s not even worth thinking about.

What do I need – ideally I’d like dimmable warm white lights in a mix of lamps and main lights, and maybe a coujple of sockets, and potential future compatibility with TV etc.

Is there a simple guide? I’m about as knowledgable as a pensioneer when it comes to computers…

Thanks all!

Edited by OpulentBob on Monday 16th January 10:07

Ok i've done what you want to do (albeit with coloured bulbs). You'll need:

1x Amazon Echo Dot (£49)
1x Philips Hue Starter Kit - hub + 3 bulbs (£149) - If needed you can get converters from IKEA to convert bulbs from B22 to E27

This will allow you to switch the lights on/off via Alexa (and set lights levels) eg. Set light to 50.

You'll need to add the Hue 'skill' to Alexa within the Alexa app and that's about it.

If you want to control the TV you'll need to add a Harmony Hub (I got one for £115 including the Dot from Amazon) and configure this to work with your TV/DVD etc. You then set activities (eg. watch TV - Turn on TV, Set AMP to sky, Turn on Sky box etc).

Where it can get really clever is if you add a cloud based piece of software called Yonomi. Like Harmony you build scenes but in this case you can join multiple systems together under 'skills'. These skills can then be seen by Alexa and actioned by your voice.

For example we have:

• Turn on White - turns on the three hue lights in the lounge to 'white' at a preset colour temp
• Turn on Funk - turns on the three hue lights to a different colour each
• Turn on TV - sets the hue lights to green, turns on the TV, turns on the AMP, sets the input to Sky and turns on the Sky Box
• Turn on Sonos - sets the amp to Sonos, switches on the Sonos Connect, lights to white
• Turn on Film - sets the hue lights to purple, turns on the TV, turns on the AMP, sets the input to BluRay and turns on the Blu Ray player
• Turn on Drive - turns on the hue bulb in the storm porch light

I then have the opposite functions 'Turn off' to turn of the devices.
Finally there is a catch all of 'Everything off' which turns off all devices

You do have to set these scenes up in Yonomi and then search for the skill in Alexa but it's all fairly easy

Happy to do you a couple of screen shots from Yonomi / Alexa if it helps you visualise what you need/want to do?

[anonymous-user]

Thank you all - especially pmanson - that is great info. I shall do some research tonight and maybe get ordering if I can get authorisation from her. She wants to book a holiday; I want to get the house finished!

Thanks again. Appreciated.

[FurryExocet]

it all gets rather costly!!

[Cotty]

FurryExocet said:

it all gets rather costly!!

Yes but I suppose once you have the kit that's it, there is no ongoing subscription

[VEX]

'Echo - watch big tv'

A big +1 for the Yonomi App, full control of Harmony Hub and some basic Rako Lighting as well.

[pmanson]

VEX said:

'Echo - watch big tv'

A big +1 for the Yonomi App, full control of Harmony Hub and some basic Rako Lighting as well.

VEX - Can you get it to control individual devices? Eg. Pause TV, Pause Film? Turn up volume to 50 etc?

I've not seen that functionality (unless I need to create that 'scene' within Harmony)

[Trabi601]

Shaw Tarse said:

Podie said:

I believe BMW i models can be locked / unlocked, check battery level etc

I'd have thought JLR would be on the case.

"Alexa. Call the AA. Again"

[21TonyK]

pmanson said:

Ok i've done what you want to do (albeit with coloured bulbs). You'll need:

...lots of interesting things...

Happy to do you a couple of screen shots from Yonomi / Alexa if it helps you visualise what you need/want to do?

Sounds more like what I want.

Time to do some research.

[pmanson]

21TonyK said:

pmanson said:

Ok i've done what you want to do (albeit with coloured bulbs). You'll need:

...lots of interesting things...

Happy to do you a couple of screen shots from Yonomi / Alexa if it helps you visualise what you need/want to do?

Sounds more like what I want.

Time to do some research.

BTW I have a new found hobby for winding up/freaking out my wife by switching the TV on/off, mucking about with the lights whilst she is home alone.

Apparently it is very frustrating to be watching a programme to have it interrupted by me switching the TV off and the music on!

[Shaw Tarse]

pmanson said:

BTW I have a new found hobby for winding up/freaking out my wife by switching the TV on/off, mucking about with the lights whilst she is home alone.

Apparently it is very frustrating to be watching a programme to have it interrupted by me switching the TV off and the music on!

[Shnozz]

pmanson said:

BTW I have a new found hobby for winding up/freaking out my wife by switching the TV on/off, mucking about with the lights whilst she is home alone.

Apparently it is very frustrating to be watching a programme to have it interrupted by me switching the TV off and the music on!

Had similar at the other half's house at the weekend. Housemate the other end of the country at the time and the chilled music we had on whilst lounging in front of the fire switched to Eminem playing at max volume. Totally shat me up.

[21TonyK]

pmanson said:

21TonyK said:

pmanson said:

Ok i've done what you want to do (albeit with coloured bulbs). You'll need:

...lots of interesting things...

Happy to do you a couple of screen shots from Yonomi / Alexa if it helps you visualise what you need/want to do?

Sounds more like what I want.

Time to do some research.

BTW I have a new found hobby for winding up/freaking out my wife by switching the TV on/off, mucking about with the lights whilst she is home alone.

Apparently it is very frustrating to be watching a programme to have it interrupted by me switching the TV off and the music on!

In which case I'd better not tell her about it as I'm the one at home most of the time!

[Cotty]

Philips Hue Bridge and four bulbs for $89.97. From Argos only place they had any in stock

Right now to start naming my rooms after areas in Star Trek ships, bridge, engine room, shuttle bay, holodeck etc. Once we get the "computer" wake word I can just say "Computer bridge on" "computer shuttle bay on" or maybe I'll wuss out and revert to lounge, hall, bedroom, library, west wing , orangery etc