Do we have a Black Friday 2018 Deals thread

Martynt74 · 27 Nov 2018 at 15:21

Also playing music (which is what i use it for most)

glenimp617 · 27 Nov 2018 at 15:24

iamtheoneneo said:
Alexa is good for three things:
1. kitchen timer
2. changing hue lights
3. putting on the heating/hot water

apart from that its pretty pointless, but I still like appreciate the convenance of not having to load an app on your phone to do those things.
until we reach a point where most electronics have smart functionality its always going to be a novelty purchase.

I'd say routines are easily the best thing about smart speakers. Especially the goodnight and good morning ones.

413x · 27 Nov 2018 at 15:42

iamtheoneneo said:
Alexa is good for three things:
1. kitchen timer
-you mean like for Food?
2. changing hue lights
-only useful thing I found here was 'all lights off'
3. putting on the heating/hot water
-this is probably the only thing I can see being useful

apart from that its pretty pointless, but I still like appreciate the convenance of not having to load an app on your phone to do those things.
until we reach a point where most electronics have smart functionality its always going to be a novelty purchase.

Yeah playing music sounds useful Too.

AndyCr15 · 27 Nov 2018 at 16:08

I wasn't a fan of Alexa. Google seems better at simply answering questions. I do a lot of conversions and maths on my Google Home.

HungryHippos · 27 Nov 2018 at 16:08

You can use ifttt to trigger whatever phrases and settings you want for lighting.

I also use mine for lights, heating, timers and playing music from Spotify.

Kainz · 27 Nov 2018 at 16:09

I ended up buying my Nespresso Pixie & Aerocinno froffer along with enough pods to last me well into next year thanks to special offers. Also bought a BOSTANTEN ratchet belt off the rainforest sales and a cheap kettle!

Regarding G.Home - mines been garbage from day 1. It is mainly used for switching on hue lighting and basic queries because it can't do anything else without throwing up errors. Hell even 'conversations' feature doesn't work yet. Certainly been tempted by Alexa but from what I've heard and read it isn't that much better.

Raymond Lin · 27 Nov 2018 at 16:11

I use Alexa to set my alarm a lot

"alexa, set alarm for 7am"

"alexa, start timer for 5mins". (for cooking)

I used to be able to control all the individual lights in my house with it, but slowly it stopped recognising the bedroom, Kitchen and stairs, and I have not changed any settings. The only room it still recognises by voice command is the living room and "all the lights"

Raymond Lin · 27 Nov 2018 at 18:23

Kenai said:
Not sure if different networks will work differently but my last 2 phones were from CPW and mobiles.co.uk on EE and they were bog standard unbranded unlocked phones.

Where does it ask you for the PAC code on their website? I am going through the checkout process and can't see it.

Kenai · 27 Nov 2018 at 18:25

Raymond Lin said:
Where does it ask you for the PAC code on their website? I am going through the checkout process and can't see it.

Never changed network through them, no idea

Koalaboy · 27 Nov 2018 at 18:29

You have to do the PAC change after connection AFAIK. I went with the 80GB deal and got a Huawei Mate 20 Pro (amazing phone) and just received it today - network should be connected within 24 hours and then I can move my number. Their process seems really clunky, but it is slowly moving.

Raymond Lin · 27 Nov 2018 at 18:44

Koalaboy said:
You have to do the PAC change after connection AFAIK. I went with the 80GB deal and got a Huawei Mate 20 Pro (amazing phone) and just received it today - network should be connected within 24 hours and then I can move my number. Their process seems really clunky, but it is slowly moving.

Change after? The last time someone told me that I lost my number, I thought you had to have it before?

b0rn2sk8 · 27 Nov 2018 at 19:18

PAC is after the new line is connected, just hand the PAC code to Voda after you have your new phone number and within 30 days of the PAC being generated.

I don't think you even have to speak to them, you can just do it online IIRC.

5punk3monk3y · 27 Nov 2018 at 21:14

Raymond Lin said:
I use Alexa to set my alarm a lot

"alexa, set alarm for 7am"

"alexa, start timer for 5mins". (for cooking)

I used to be able to control all the individual lights in my house with it, but slowly it stopped recognising the bedroom, Kitchen and stairs, and I have not changed any settings. The only room it still recognises by voice command is the living room and "all the lights"

. Funny that my Google home has lost my front outdoor light and now refuses to recognise it.

AndyCr15 · 27 Nov 2018 at 21:41

Is it still listed in the Home app?

5punk3monk3y · 28 Nov 2018 at 23:17

AndyCr15 said:
Is it still listed in the Home app?

It is, had a play around with it last night and now I have to say "outdoor front light" I grouped it with my nest outdoor cams and the garden lights, oh well..

RedvGreen · 29 Nov 2018 at 15:16

Has anyone seen any deals for Dyson Supersonic hairdryer? Need one for the missus but loathed to pay £300 for one.

Raymond Lin · 29 Nov 2018 at 15:17

Didn’t go for the Vodafone deal in the end, called up 3 to get a PAC code they pretty much matched it so sticking with 3 and have a new XR on the way.

ThriceNightly · 29 Nov 2018 at 18:05

iamtheoneneo said:
Alexa is good for three things:
1. kitchen timer
2. changing hue lights
3. putting on the heating/hot water

apart from that its pretty pointless, but I still like appreciate the convenance of not having to load an app on your phone to do those things.
until we reach a point where most electronics have smart functionality its always going to be a novelty purchase.

I enjoy the handsfree functionality especially in the kitchen.....multiple timers are excellent

Also very good as a kitchen radio and as a standalone bluetooth speaker for my smartphone can play spotify free etc (......sound quality enough for me to sell my soundlink mini)

Good for weather forecasts including "how windy is it"?

Great as a calculator and unit conversion

I also use it as a timer for exercises and stretches as well as Alarm Clock to get me out of bed in the morning

koolpc · 29 Nov 2018 at 18:06

Black friday was a complete let down

Greebo · 29 Nov 2018 at 18:56

koolpc said:
Black friday was a complete let down

Best year ever for me and the most I have ever bought on Black Friday. Normally it’s a total waste of time for me but not this year. Suppose it depends on what your interests are and what you wanted as to whether it was good or bad. At last count I had bought over ten items totalling over £1300 but would have cost me over £1800 at normal times so I’m happy