So hopefully, she'll soon be able to bring up the lights by voice command to walk to the bathroom.
So hopefully, she'll soon be able to bring up the lights by voice command to walk to the bathroom.
Movement sensor is too much old tech? ;)
What's a smart thermostat do a regular one don't?
I get the doorbell thing, really, for the camera, but a lot of the voice stuff is what's the point?
Some of the phillips lightbulbs that let you set programs for while you're away on travel look nifty, with the color change crap being a silly bonus.
About the 'smartest' thing we have is the fish tank light. It simulates sunrise/sunset, moon, etc. I CAN hook it to a weather station to simulate the weather as well. And for all that, it can get REALLY annoying if I miss a feeding time by an hour and need to set the lights up so they can eat. I have to power cycle just to get it to recognize the remote imputs again, but it goes right back to schedule with one press after I'm done altering temporarily.
But as I proceed, I will ask myself if a simple motion sensor can do the job. Now I'm wishing I had that kind of thing with my basement lighting. I normally only go down the basement once or twice a day , but I nearly always enter or leave with my hands full .
What's a smart thermostat do a regular one don't?
I get the doorbell thing, really, for the camera, but a lot of the voice stuff is what's the point?
Some of the phillips lightbulbs that let you set programs for while you're away on travel look nifty, with the color change crap being a silly bonus.
About the 'smartest' thing we have is the fish tank light. It simulates sunrise/sunset, moon, etc. I CAN hook it to a weather station to simulate the weather as well. And for all that, it can get REALLY annoying if I miss a feeding time by an hour and need to set the lights up so they can eat. I have to power cycle just to get it to recognize the remote imputs again, but it goes right back to schedule with one press after I'm done altering temporarily.
Thus far I only really see people making music light shows with the thing, both christmas and Halloween, but I'm sure there'd be prop things I could do with them.
I'm quite happy with the UPS surepost stop solution to that problem, and ship everything possible UPS to use it. Considering buying one of their addresses even.
I'm quite happy with the UPS surepost stop solution to that problem, and ship everything possible UPS to use it. Considering buying one of their addresses even.
You mean buying a postbox in their local office?
Less easy was setting up the Samsung Smart Things hub. The reason is the box tells you little, except download the app. Simple! Trouble is there are different versions of the app, and different versions of the hub, and different authentiation procedures, and until I got the right combination of those, I was fantasizing about destroying the hub with a sledge hammer. Not that I own such a hammer, but I would gladly have bought one for the specific purpose of destroying the accursed hub. I chose to adjourn and start afresh the next day. I prevailed.I find any semi heavy object will substitute in times of real need (or fury) :p
I want to get a remote controlled plug. I have chosen the Wemo mini. The advantage is that these things are wide rather than blocky, and don't block the other receptacle in the outlet when you plug it in. The job I have in mind is simply to inerrupt the power supply of our wireless printer, to start a reboot. Apparently it shuts down over time to conserve energy, and cycling the power gets it working again.
Less easy was setting up the Samsung Smart Things hub. The reason is the box tells you little, except download the app. Simple! Trouble is there are different versions of the app, and different versions of the hub, and different authentiation procedures, and until I got the right combination of those, I was fantasizing about destroying the hub with a sledge hammer. Not that I own such a hammer, but I would gladly have bought one for the specific purpose of destroying the accursed hub. I chose to adjourn and start afresh the next day. I prevailed.I find any semi heavy object will substitute in times of real need (or fury) :pQuoteI want to get a remote controlled plug. I have chosen the Wemo mini. The advantage is that these things are wide rather than blocky, and don't block the other receptacle in the outlet when you plug it in. The job I have in mind is simply to inerrupt the power supply of our wireless printer, to start a reboot. Apparently it shuts down over time to conserve energy, and cycling the power gets it working again.
Check the printer's manufacturer's webside for any possible firmware upgrades. It might have one that could fix this...
There is a difference between Drivers on your computer (which might be an issue as the Wake-On-Lan might be in it) and the firmware to operate the hardware of the device (which in this case, is the Printer). The problem sounds like it's not getting a Wake-On-Lan that wakes it (it doesn't really turn off, just goes into sleep mode). That or it's not going into sleep mode properly, which might require power interrupt to correct.
Typically, you have to download the firmware and, IIRC, have the printer physically connected to the computer (not on the Wifi, but could through your router - depends on printer) for the firmware to be installed onto the device.
Usually, Drivers for Windows are handled by your Windows Update (you do have it set to download Recommended and Important Updates as well as your Critical Updates??) as the manufacturer partners with Windows about those. But sometimes, you have install them yourself (due to being part of a software suite that is bundled with the Printer).
I take it you don't have pets wandering the house that would set off the motion devices.
Is there a system in the making for having your smart stuff linked to the meteo forecast and close your shutters if severe enough weather comes in?
Or simply when the sun sets of course. ;)
Rusty's on the left coast, I doubt storm shutters are even a thing over there. The only automatic ones I've seen were ugly as hell, like little garage doors.
It functions in relation with humidity/co2 levels then?
Sounds like something you could use in the bathroom too.
I noticed my toilet room (cubicle actually) activates when leaving the door open while visiting it.
Do you sometimes get Lake Effect Snow storms?Rusty's on the left coast, I doubt storm shutters are even a thing over there. The only automatic ones I've seen were ugly as hell, like little garage doors.
Actually I'm in Wisconsin in the Milwaukee suburbs, but not too many miles from Lake Michigan. Close enough to moderate the temps about 6 degrees F vs. Madison. Strangely, if a lake is big enough, it seems to lift or deflect tornados. Shutters are strictly trim and style in these parts.
Do you sometimes get Lake Effect Snow storms?Rusty's on the left coast, I doubt storm shutters are even a thing over there. The only automatic ones I've seen were ugly as hell, like little garage doors.
Actually I'm in Wisconsin in the Milwaukee suburbs, but not too many miles from Lake Michigan. Close enough to moderate the temps about 6 degrees F vs. Madison. Strangely, if a lake is big enough, it seems to lift or deflect tornados. Shutters are strictly trim and style in these parts.
What's a smart thermostat do a regular one don't?
They're ganging up to see what is needed to drive (you) the electronics nuts....
We have had two incidences of cats triggering the hall light motion sensors, but it seems to take a few of them moving in the hall simultaneously to do it.
I should have an effective intercom system now. The Echo Dot, the Echo Spot, and my phone app all work well enough...
I should have an effective intercom system now. The Echo Dot, the Echo Spot, and my phone app all work well enough...
Hang on a minute, it's coming (from the right)..."Computer! Locate wife!"
;st
"Mrs Edge, your presence is required in..."
Makes me wonder if a home VAV system wouldn't ultimately be better than all these 'smart' thermostats, vents, etc.
We discussed potential expenditures and have decided to conserve cash for a while with the stock markets headed south and Mr. Tariff in charge of things.
Everything is working great, and I'm pleased. I'm opening and closing the upstairs vents manually. We're finding new uses for Alexa and getting better at communicating with her. I've been sick and still haven't gone outside to re-synch the Skybell, but I did remove the app from my wife's phone in anticipation of the start all over approach.
It occurs to me that closing vents to balance the temps has had no effect on the HVAC in terms of fan noise, but doing it by adjusting dampers often did. With that method I would either have uneven, uncomfortable temps, or fan noise and squeaks. As I said, everything is working great.
Alexa can make purchases if you so order it? ???
What device do you use to do the streaming? And how easy is it to find something if you don't KNOW which service it might be on?
Is there a streaming box that does similar?
Valentines day lighting?
Valentines day lighting?
Would it not be advantageous to procure some of the smart string lights, string them for the December holidays, and alter the color for the rest of winter, taking down after, say, Easter?
(while the insert holiday C-lights is about as much my thing as making charlie brown characters for halloween, I do appreciate the time and effort involved. I haven't seen anyone around these parts doing Valentines.)
I'll say this, though; I didn't forget to take out the trash this morning.
I'll also want to get a Roomba (or one of the other robovacs) once I've got my own place, which should work with google, too. And probably more lighting options, either via bulbs or plugs.
Do the cats ever ride on it??
My point isn't really that you should buy a Neato, it's that cleaning situations vary and that you should check things out and choose one that fits your situation.
How are you feeling about the move this time?
I had a Roomba about 10 years ago when I shared an apartment with friends. It was good, but not great and eventually died. While researching recently, I came across the Neato and found that it compares very favorably to the Roomba. Strongly considering it.I'm trying to remember back to my bachelor days--I know that now, with kids, there's no way in hell I'd be able to keep the floor uncluttered enough for a Roomba to function without a little bottle of robot Xanax, but I can't recall if I was equally messy myself back when it did not, strictly speaking, matter if dirty clothes went in the hamper or on the floor.
Chat offers me a 5th (and granted correct) total showing on HIS side. Assures me only THAT will be charged through autopay. No idea why my side is all fubar.
/www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/04/23/how-nest-designed-keep-intruders-out-peoples-homes-effectively-allowed-hackers-get/?utm_term=.8b1b946cfbff&wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1
Ain't Technology wonderful...
I have reservations about smart door locks, garage openers, and interior cameras, which could all potentially be hacked. I don't have any of those, and may never get them.
I suppose true A.I. leads to HAL and SKYNET. Not good.All depends on how you grow it, I suspect. Check out "Two Faces of Tomorrow" by James P. Hogan...
The voice climate control sure is nice. Potentially it's the biggest problem if it should run amok.
I have reservations about smart door locks, garage openers, and interior cameras, which could all potentially be hacked. I don't have any of those, and may never get them.
I learned a long time ago, that sometimes, people would drive through neighborhoods, while having several garage door openers set at various things. Usually, the more older types only had a limited combination of settings for door codes. So, they would sometimes find one that would work and then rob the place.I have reservations about smart door locks, garage openers, and interior cameras, which could all potentially be hacked. I don't have any of those, and may never get them.
A sort of funny story on that one here. Just yesterday I read in the news that a neighborhood here has a real plague of automatic stuff like garage gates, car locks -and windows open up on their own lately. The likely culprit would be a transmitter antenna which after maintenance emits on another frequency, appearantly on one where aforementioned stuff acts on.
They pick the $200 Ring 2 with a $30/year subscription.
They pick the $200 Ring 2 with a $30/year subscription.
This one automatically does facial recognition on and creates a profile for anyone who frequently pops by your door! (if it's the model my friend has)
Why the storage subscription? Does that mean records go straight to some data center? Can't you link the records to a disk on your own computer?
Well what do you know?
Apparently whoever the builder hired (builder out of business now, no record of the sub in my stuff, so I cant go back after the idiots) to install the heater with the remodel did a total hack job, and hid it. Exhaust run wrong, ductwork done incorrectly, filter too small, and other tech speak from the technician. Essentially the thing isn't able to move the amount of air it was supposed to due to installation, and that's royally fubarred the furnace.
So...I'm buying a new furnace.
It happens to be cheaper to do a smart thermostat than hard wire a new dumb one.
Looks like one of my smart vents has unsynced from the ecobee. I'll probably have to reset some passwords because I'm not sure what I used at the time. Might be batteries in the smart vent, too.
They love her lap, do any get on your lap? As long as they are positioned to were I can easily scratch a face at times, I was always good with mine doing that to me, too.
Prime Day is advancing our smart home, so time for an update.
1)We ordered a single time programmable vent for the upstairs. It's the last one left for sale on the internet in our size, near as I've found. We need two more. I'll have to see if Alea is close to producing and selling smart vents yet/again for the other two.
2) We ordered an outdoor smart plug that is Alexa ready. This will enable me to turn off the other stuff on the outdoor circuit ( usually holiday lights ) and run the roof and gutter heaters by voice command when the temps are in the proper range by voice command. No getting dressed to go outside and swap some plugs.
3) Ordered an indoor smart plug for the printer problem. Uno was right. The only reliable way to get the printer ( which is on the 2nd floor) working properly is to turn it on and off. The driver update didn't solve the issue. So my wife should be able to tell Alexa to turn the printer off, and then back on, and then proceed without involving me. Two plugs were actually about a buck and a half cheaper than one, so we're getting two, but don't have any plans for the 2nd one.
4) The video doorbell. SkyBell HD is a lost cause. A new one costs as much as we paid, but there seem to be limited amounts left in stock. I expect it would work much the same, amazing for a while, and then with difficulty or not at all. So I'm guessing it's obsolete. I indicated I'd go with Ring because it was now under Alexa ownership. The trouble with that is their security system business model. $10/month to access anything but a live feed. An extra $3/month for each additional device. So it's like buying the device every year. We refuse to go with that. So, we could go with replacement lamps with HD cameras, motion sensors, speakers, etc. Maximus charges $5/month to store your video. A competitor offers card storage onboard, but you replace one, you need to replace all exterior lamps, and they only make smart ones. No matching dummy lamps. So the initial cost is the highest. We chose to procrastinate and buy nothing at this time.
5) Ordered the new Echo Show 5. Essentially an Echo Spot with a 5 inch phone screen. I wanted it for the kitchen. I'd like having Alexa there to set timers and reminders when I'm cooking. Possibly to check my math on measurements and conversions. To play music or an audiobook while I work. To pull up a recipe from Pinterest, instead of walking between rooms. To extend our intercom system. I probably would have preferred the Echo show 2, but this is inexpensive enough to try it and see if it's justified first. It can always be moved to replace the Echo Dot if we upgrade the kitchen to the Show.
6) We're going to see about trying to upgrade our ceiling fan to a remote or smart configuration after the summer, but not while it's in heavy service. It's a cast bronze reproduction of an antique, so it's not a fan that can be replaced with anything comparable. It has to be upgraded. We already upgraded it once, so that now the wall switch controls the fan speed, direction, and light kit by radio. I figure it can be internally modernized a little more.
That covers it for now, I think.
Personal Smart Home
*I got the used vent working and the programmable vent modified and installed. So far, so fine.
*The smart plugs are working fine, but they seem to be a deterrent. I haven't had much need to switch things on or off since
I put them in, so they've barely been cycled beyond the initial set up tests.
* Mrs. Edge says not to screw with the modem until next year. So be it.
* Still haven't made adjustments to the doorbell sensors. My main complaint with it would be that there is some lag,
and delivery people are scurrying this time of year so they are back to the truck by the time I can respond.
----------------------------
General Smart Home
I've been trying to buy the best products for the task and make them work. The downside is that there are setup,
synch/connectivity issues and lag. I predict that Smart Home will sort out into Amazon, Google, Apple, and Samsung systems,
and that people will chose one and stick with it for ease of set-up and integration.
Some products, such as Chamberlain garage door openers seek to be compatible with all systems to retain market share.
Wirecutter has a new article about the Apple Home Kit system.
[Like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, HomeKit allows you to integrate smart-home devices from different
manufacturers into one system. It works more like a smart-home hub, like SmartThings and Wink,
but in this case the hub lives in the cloud. All HomeKit devices automatically “see” one another without requiring any setup.
And setting up automations—preset actions that involve one or more devices—is satisfyingly straightforward,
requiring only a few taps in Apple’s Home app, which comes preinstalled on iOS devices.
Unlike Alexa and Google Assistant, HomeKit is primarily a smart-home system with a voice search feature,
while the other two are voice search systems (for music and random queries) with smart-home features.
Many smart-home accessories are designed specifically for HomeKit, while Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
are often just an add-on feature to an existing device. The Home app for HomeKit is a much more comprehensive
interface for smart-home control than the apps for Alexa and Google Assistant,
though the latter two systems are catching up.]
I personally avoid most smart technology in the home because I detest the upkeep for many of the products and I possess concerns with surveillance from the products on my personal life. I maintain mostly low technological levels in many areas of my life beyond automated reminders from certain apps for appointments, schedules, and products.
I personally avoid most smart technology in the home because I detest the upkeep for many of the products and I possess concerns with surveillance from the products on my personal life. I maintain mostly low technological levels in many areas of my life beyond automated reminders from certain apps for appointments, schedules, and products.
My little sister (once certified as one of the smartest people in the NorthEastern United States, but now working a tech job in Seattle) shares your skepticism of Alexa and her kin.
So I assume you have a valid point. It's not something I worry about, kinda like when I got myself finger printed to become a licensed insurance adjuster.
One thing I have learned is that if Alexa is playing music louder than your commands, she struggles to hear and understand you. So, if you're in somebody's home with Alexa, have them play music.
I think it's great having you around again, Dio.
We ended up with a new router that solved a lot of the stuttering problems. There's randomly issues on the main TV but they seem to be related to very specific app/channel combinations when streaming. (certain channels don't like to keep up on the live hulu streaming service)
I've got "smart" lights on our gazebo and xmas lights, but that's mostly just blutooth app controlled rather than through a hub.
Also got some smart floods for halloween that are going to be fun.