Anyone into home automation/smart homes with integration to Alexa, Google Home, Siri, etc.?

[oj88]

I just started to build one myself to get my feet wet. I currently have two WiFi power plugs, an Amazon Echo Dot, and a Broadlink RM Mini 3 (IR blaster).

Got most of it working, including remotely controlling the TV, A/C, two bedside lamps (using the powerplugs) from my mobile phone. All but the A/C works with Alexa and I'm still figuring it out with the developer.

In the future, I might get either a Broadlink RM Pro (supports both IR and RF control) or a Logitech Harmony Hub, more WiFi powerplugs, and WiFi smart light switches to replace the current mechanical ones.

[StockEngine]

how is amazons alexa voice recognition? google has perfect recognition. its just weird google maps doesnt have the same voice recognition.

ok google: set alarm to 6pm. 🤓

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[oj88]

how is amazons alexa voice recognition? google has perfect recognition. its just weird google maps doesnt have the same voice recognition.

ok google: set alarm to 6pm. ��

Voice recognition through the Echo Dot is virtually flawless. It has multiple microphones that works together to pinpoint where you are in the room... called far-field voice recognition. End result is that even while standing across the room, with ambient noise like TV and other people talking, it can still recognize and understand what you're saying.

I chose Amazon Alexa because right now, they're more mature than Google Home. They have better integration with home automation solutions.... even with the cheaper Chinese stuff.

[StockEngine]

So my unconscious observation is true, Alexa is growing faster than google home.

I was looking at denon heos and they do support Alexa. I need to check more brands.

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[ice15]

So my unconscious observation is true, Alexa is growing faster than google home.

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looking at Google's strategy for CES 2018... It will be (Google) Assistant vs Alexa this year...

In no way do I see Siri catching up

Visited a hotel last year which had an Echo installed in their rooms...

Alexa can turn-on/off the lights and tell you about the weather... But that's basically it.

Would prefer Assistant since you can set reminders when you arrive a specific place, make lists (our phone have our Google accounts) and reply to messages.

[StockEngine]

nice blog

alexa has similar google assistant features..

Amazon Echo & Alexa 10 Everyday Uses - YouTube

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[oj88]

nice blog

alexa has similar google assistant features..

Amazon Echo & Alexa 10 Everyday Uses - YouTube

I literally just setup mine last night but me and my wife have become fond of using the list-taking ability and some "assistant" type tasks. Just say, "Alexa, add soap and toothbrush to the groceries list" as well as, "Alexa, wake me up at 5am" .... all that while snuggled up in bed in total darkness.

[StockEngine]

Alexa can play spotify - its rival in audio streaming 🤓

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[oj88]

Alexa can play spotify - its rival in audio streaming 🤓

Yup. Way ahead of ya.

I have so many ideas in my mind on what to do with it. But then, toys can wait. Daddy's gotta work. :D

[StockEngine]

Yup. Way ahead of ya.

I have so many ideas in my mind on what to do with it. But then, toys can wait. Daddy's gotta work. :D

i cant catch up😅

alexa: show me ip6 security camera feed in the garage.

hmm is this possible now? in the future it will be. for the time being camera feed has to be manually accessed 😶



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[shadow]

OJ, what's your set up for the A/C? Lalo na split Type?


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[EQAddict]

Cant download alexa in philippine market. Someone gave me an echo dot and i cant set it up

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[oj88]

i cant catch up��

alexa: show me ip6 security camera feed in the garage.

hmm is this possible now? in the future it will be. for the time being camera feed has to be manually accessed ��

Apparently, it is possible. But that's using Amazon Echo Show (an Echo with a display). It can be integrated with smart cameras.

OJ, what's your set up for the A/C? Lalo na split Type?

I've got a Samsung in the bedroom and LG in the living room. Both are split-type inverters. The Echo Dot I have now will be permanently in the bedroom, along with a Broadlink RM Mini 3 universal IR remote/blaster. The A/C in my bedroom can already be controlled using Broadlink's app on my phone. In fact, I can turn it on/off, change temp, change fan speed, etc., even while I'm here in the office.

The bedroom Samsung TV is also controlled by Broadlink and like the A/C, I can control it from everywhere (not really a particularly useful thing when you're not there to watch it, but I just mentioned it to be on point).

The only catch right now is that, of the two devices that Broadlink can control in my bedroom, only the TV was discovered by Alexa. In other words, I can control the A/C using the Broadlink app, but I can't use voice commands/Alexa to do the same. I am hoping that Broadlink will eventually update their API to have full integration with Alexa.

[oj88]

Cant download alexa in philippine market. Someone gave me an echo dot and i cant set it up

You have two options:

1. Setup a US Google account and use that to download the Alexa app. You may or may not need to VPN to the US to download the app. However, once downloaded, a VPN connection is no longer necessary and you can use your local Google account moving forward.

2. Sell it to me at a good price. :D

[Jrtoons]

Google home is the best

[oj88]

Google home is the best

I wouldn't know about that. But as per numerous feedback, it is still limited. Even within the Google ecosystem. What it is good at is being a great conversationalist. Its algorithm supports a more natural speech recognition. But as far as learning a new "Skill" as well as integration with 3rd party solutions, it has far less capabilities as Amazon's Alexa.

Again, this is now. We don't know what will happen in the coming months or years. Amazon has had a good head start. GH is practically playing catch-up as of this time.

[StockEngine]

new voice soon?

[Walter]

Google home is the best

Alexa's got more options when it comes to device availability ...

[oj88]

I've recently received my Google Home Mini so I can pit it against the Echo Dot.

I haven't really spent too much time on it, with work and all, but here are my first impressions....

First, the good:
The sound quality is better on the Home Mini. It is both louder and "thumpier" than the comparatively tinny sound coming from the Dot's built-in speaker. The Home Mini also provides better and more relevant search results (no surprise here) and speaks them out in a more natural, more human manner.

But immediately, I've discovered a few cons with the Home Mini.

The bad:
You can't connect it to an external speaker using conventional methods (Bluetooth Out or Line Out) like the Dot can. If you want audio from the Home Mini to come out of your receiver or external speaker, will require the use of Chromecast/Chromecast Ultra (for audio and video) or Chromecast Audio (for audio only) dongles. But to a certain extent, the quality of the built-in speaker somewhat makes up for this limitation.

I also don't like the microphone Mute switch on the Home Mini. The Dot has a mute button on top and is easily accessible. The Home Mini uses a toggle switch at the back.

BUT the one thing that I don't like the most about Google's offering is the seemingly lack of privacy if you have multiple Home devices connected to the same WiFi SSID or VLAN. Let me explain; I have a brother who lives downstairs who also owns a Home Mini. Even though we have different Amazon accounts and the fact that our respective devices are linked to our own personal accounts, we can still see each other's Home Mini.... what it's doing or what media or song it's playing, using the Google Home app on our phones. I mean, we each have nothing to hide but, if my brother decides to play Britney Spears' songs, I really don't need to know about it.

There are several other quirks with the Home Mini, namely, the inability to manage it using the mobile app if my phone is not connected to my home WiFi. On the Dot, I can pretty much manage all my devices through the cloud from anywhere where there's an internet connection. Finally, there's this thing about the Echo ecosystem supporting "Skills"... plugins, if you will, that allows it to expand its capabilities. There's no such concept on the Home ecosystem.

If it were up to me, I'd like my solution to have the AI of Google Assistant but have the level of integration of Amazon Alexa.

[StockEngine]

siri is dumb?