Amazon Alexa / Google Home

[denislawsbackheel]

Google Zagar and Evans.

not yet.

I’ll do it later, if man is still alive.

 

[RadcliffeRick]

We went with the Amazon Alexa system. There is a device in every room including the garden.
It started off just using it to stream music around the house/garden. Then we found it useful for shouting the kids down for their tea.
If used properly, it is very handy for any information. The wife uses it all the time to convert weights when cooking. She sets timers and alarms.
Reminders and shopping lists also appear on your phone.

I fitted Hive heating control not even realising Alexa could control it. I then upgraded the lights switches to Lightwave so i could control LED lights better.
I came across a Lightwave Hub, so decided to add that. That meant the Alexa could control the lights. It's great saying "Turn the Big light on"!
I already had a Harmony remote system for control my TV/AV gear, so added an Alexa skill to integrate that.
Lastly i added some smart cameras.

I thought that was it, and was quite happy. Then i had a few days off work and decided to see what else it could do.
I came across a feature called "Routines".
That was the game changer. I could now set timers and automations. My garden lights now have different timers and dusk til dawns functions. (for no extra cost)
On arriving home, i now just say "Alexa i'm home", and the house just comes alive. Lights turn on, the heating comes on, the TV turns on etc.
On leaving the house, i just say "Alexa i'm leaving", and all the lights turn off (including the kids bedroom lights that they always leave on), the heating turns off. Any devices like the TV also turn off.
It is actually saving me real money!

And what do your wife and kids do whilst you are out?

 

[sir baconface]

I have the Huawei version: iSpy.

 

[Blue tube]

Lazy sad “need to have it” twats

 

[JASR]

Just delete each day in settings, or set up the device so you can delete by voice command.

That’s the publicly accessible copies that you can delete.
But no doubt (with the Snowden revelations), the 5 eyes have direct access to the data pipes and everything said with Alexa is recorded. Not just the ‘hey Alexa...’ stuff, but everything you say, because it’s always listening.

 

[stonerblue]

Lazy sad “need to have it” twats

It's actually a very useful tool for the disabled.

 

[fulabeer]

It's actually a very useful tool for the disabled.

You are so right. My disabled Nephew has just had a system installed. He is wheelchair bound and has trouble with coordination.
He can now control his environment around him. Drop in to family and friends for a chat. Turn the TV on. Alter the heating etc.

I see the Luddites are already commenting. I suppose the same comments were made when remote controls for TV's first came out. "What's wrong with getting up and turning the TV over by hand. That's why god gave you leg's etc"

It's not about laziness. It's about control/time saving and safety. We have some lights in the house (on the stairs for example) that come on automatically when somebody is there.
At first it does feel like a gimmick. But as you get used to the convenience, it actually feels weird to not have it.

 

[fulabeer]

And what do your wife and kids do whilst you are out?

I ask them to sit very still and wrap up to keep warm!

 

[Bill]

Lazy sad “need to have it” twats

Dick.
I have lost the use of my arms and legs,my fingers have a tiny bit of use, my wife places my fingers on a mouse whilst i use an on screen keyboard. Soon i will be totally disabled and will type via my eyebrow.i am not "sad" in fact I'm very happy. I will admit though i do "need to have it".

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Well said.