Amazon Echo - anyone have one?

Anyone knows of an existing hubs for 433 mhz devices, like wall switches, sockets etc? I mean I could build one easily enough with a raspi etc, but an existing one would be handy. I found one that looks nice but it's not on amazon UK.
 
Picked up one to replace the kitchen radio. Haven't done anything clever with it yet, but just being able to change the radio channel by voice when you're busy cooking is worth it. Given my music tastes, the music service bundled with Prime is more than adequate. "Alexa play some 90s dance music" :)
 
The Bro in law got me and the mrs one for xmas. Already set it up with the skill for turning the oven on and off, and now got it using IFTTT to control my heating system. Pretty blooming sweet, plus the ability to get it to play radio stations by just asking is pretty good. I'm massively entwined into the Google ecosystem (play sub), however when the free prime sub runs out, im not going to renew. I think just the ability to control smart things using the skill or IFTTT is good enough to stick with this instead of swapping out with Google Home.
 
I have two amazon dots, i do love em Waiting for the official sonos update.

I have to say though, i am tempted with the google home import. Obviously it has a much much wider database. And i am tied into the google eco system.
 
I'm waiting for the Google Home to be available here as all of my personal email/calendar etc. is through Google.

However, I will change my purchasing decision to whoever licenses the GLaDOS voice.
 
There is no confirmation when it will be released here, and from what i read the imported version will work.. apart from a few features.
 
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Definitely I will switch to Google Home when possible (Maybe even import) just because, great as she is, Alexa is still a little stupid when it comes to asking her questions.
 
Can you use the Echo dot, with Harmony Hub, to change channels on the TV by saying, "Alexa, turn over to BBC1" etc?

if so how?

According to the Harmony app you have to say something like, "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on BBC1"

Thanks in advance...
 
Hussman said:
Can you use the Echo dot, with Harmony Hub, to change channels on the TV by saying, "Alexa, turn over to BBC1" etc?

if so how?

According to the Harmony app you have to say something like, "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on BBC1"

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

I belive you need to install the skill, and have it discover the hub and then you can do it.

Though some people use the IFTTT skill for the Harmony Hub
 
I was hearing how people have been testing Echo's internet usage. It is believed nothing at all is sent over the internet until the actual trigger word is used, so I guess it's not really possible for Amazon to snoop. As was pointed out, it's really quite simple to monitor network usage by a device and Amazon would have so much to loose if they were found to be listening in.

I also had a quick look at the above article and see that Amazon refused access to the authorities. Again, like Apple from earlier this year, they have too much to lose if people don't trust them.
 
Then we will know quite quickly I expect.

How long have mobile phones been around? Has the government got access to mics on them then?
 
Ok, I am now hooked on this home automation thing.... I've been looking at how I can control my old smart tv in the kitchen via the dot. At the moment, its either go all in with a harmony, or get the skills out and use an IR blaster with a Pi and then get Alex to use IFTTT to create files on dropbox to be picked up by Pi to then send IR waves to the TV.

If only someone had created IFTTT IR blasters... Hmm, maybe that is something for me to design and kickstart it (cough, china, cough, copy my idea and make it).
 
We had loads of fun with Alexa last night, some of the programmed responses are great, and certain automations are actualy more usefull than I expected.

Gf is enjoying the 'Magic Door' choose your own adventure type game too :)
 
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