Amazon Echo users?

Anyone use/have an Amazon Echo? We have one and use it primarily for timers/alarms and music. Anyone else got one have other cool uses for it?

I just connected our to my Logitech Harmony Hub (couldn't do that before), so now I can turn on the TV etc and change channels with it.

I've not bought any home automation items like lights, garage door etc.

Add items to your grocery lists. Add items to Amazon pantry. All from your kitchen, when you realize you are out of something!

GiddYupJoe said:

Add items to your grocery lists.

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I assume that syncs to a grocery list app on your phone?

Here you go...

http://sirionsteroids.org/grocery-shopping-list/

Life changed! Not really, but it's pretty cool.

Set mine up to control lights in the house. I have rooms that the lights aren't on a switch, so you have to walk through the dark to get to a light, it's great, just tell Alexa to turn on the light you want. I also have a few lights that were on an old fashioned timer. I'd have to reset it often with the shortening of days heading in to winter, etc. Now I have the time set up to turn on a sunset and off at whatever time I set it to. It adjusts all year for me.

Tollus said:

Now I have the time set up to turn on a sunset and off at whatever time I set it to

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Cool....so Alexa tracks the time of Sunset and turns them on? I could use that with my outside lights too!

I knew I'd learn stuff that would broaden my knowledge of her skills!

Julian said:

Cool....so Alexa tracks the time of Sunset and turns them on? I could use that with my outside lights too!

I knew I'd learn stuff that would broaden my knowledge of her skills!

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The app that integrates with Alexa allows me to set up the timer. I used TP-Link bulbs and the Kasa app that controls them. Kasa integrates with Alexa so you can turn them on/off or dim them via your voice. You can set up timers and/or group the bulbs however you want as well. Then you have Alexa discover the bulbs and groups and you can then tell her to turn them on and off. I have 2 lights in my master. I named them individually and grouped them. So I can turn them on individually or as a group.

If you go with smart devices that works with the Samsung SmartThings (for example) hub, you can create even more complex things like when your front door opens, turn on a light.

I did TP-Link because it didn't require a hub, so it was a little less expensive over all and I don't really plan (yet) to add anything other than bulbs.

Anyone replace their switches with controllable ones....would seem cheaper than replacing all the bulbs?

@Julian I just started diving into this. I decided to go with the Phillips Hue line. I bought the starter kit that included a hub and two bulbs. So far it has worked flawlessly. It took about 10 minutes to install and set up. Just make sure you read and follow the directions. Also, try to be particular with naming the devices or else Alexa can get confused, which is annoying.

The initial purchase was more expensive at $69 because it included the hub (which I believe is good for up to 50 devices). After that, it's about $15 per bulb. I plan to replace the bulbs in the floor and table lamps we use, and to replace the switches for overhead lights. For the switches I plan to use the Leviton line mostly because it's a solid brand, but also because they offer companion switches to make the wifi switches work in 3-way installations. The WeMo switches have had good reviews, but I didn't find any that could be used in 3-way applications.

Bill D said:

@Julian I just started diving into this. I decided to go with the Phillips Hue line. I bought the starter kit that included a hub and two bulbs. So far it has worked flawlessly. It took about 10 minutes to install and set up. Just make sure you read and follow the directions. Also, try to be particular with naming the devices or else Alexa can get confused, which is annoying.

The initial purchase was more expensive at $69 because it included the hub (which I believe is good for up to 50 devices). After that, it's about $15 per bulb. I plan to replace the bulbs in the floor and table lamps we use, and to replace the switches for overhead lights. For the switches I plan to use the Leviton line mostly because it's a solid brand, but also because they offer companion switches to make the wifi switches work in 3-way installations. The WeMo switches have had good reviews, but I didn't find any that could be used in 3-way applications.

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I'll be curious to hear which wall switches you go with.....especially the 3 way ones as I have 3 way lights in the kitchen which is one of my primary targets. Would love to be able to go to bed at night as say "Alexa.....turn everything off", but I'm guessing I'll have to say "Alexa, turn off the tv" and "Alexa turn off the lights"

With IFTT you can set a routine like "Alexa, turn everything off". The only caveat is that you have to say the word "trigger" to let Alexa know you want an IFTT routine to run. It's super annoying to me to say "Alexa, trigger goodnight" to make her turn off all the lights so I'll be looking for a way around that. I know, very #firstworldproblems.

Hey @Julian I just got into this within the past month. I went with Samsung Smartthings Hub and Z wave switches as well as some Cree Connected bulbs for lamps. I use my echo dot to control any of the lights I have in my Smartthings hub as well as groups of lights for example I can tell Alexa to turn off the Living room and it will turn off all the lights in the living room. Also in Smartthings I have some routines set up for example when my wife and I have left the house using our iphones as the presence sensor Smartthings will run the Goodbye routine which will set the mode to Away. When we come back I have a Smartapp that turns on a set of lights if it is after sunset and between a set time. I also have it to turn on a set of lights if the mode is set to Home and it is approaching sunset. Once I get smart thermostats, I plan on adding those to the Goodbye and I Am Back routines to control the temperature while away. There are so many things you can do with Smartthings + Echo as well as the Harmony Hub which is what I want to get next.

Too add on to @Bill D you can create groups in Alexa and you could name it Everything then add all you want to that group. Then just tell Alexa to turn off Everything. For nighttime I use a Goodnight routine in Smartthings to do the same thing by telling Alex Turn on GoodNight.

cozilla said:

the Harmony Hub which is what I want to get next.

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I have the Harmony hub, and forgot that it controls Z-wave stuff.....it will also link to Hue and tons more.....so many different ways to inter-twine these devices now! I think I'll probably stick with Alexa for now....but I LOVE my Logitech remote (so much that I have 4 of them now!)

@Julian nice! I am hooked haha.

I recently installed 10 Lurton Caseta wall dimmers and a few lamp modules. They work great with Alexa. If you order through Alexa they have a deal right now for 2 dimmers and a hub. I also have 3 ecobee thermostats connected to Alexa.

jeremy0011 said:

I recently installed 10 Lurton Caseta wall dimmers and a few lamp modules. They work great with Alexa. If you order through Alexa they have a deal right now for 2 dimmers and a hub. I also have 3 ecobee thermostats connected to Alexa.

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Never ordered anything via Alexa....what is the price they have for 2 dimmers and the lutron hub?

Alexa has some good deals. The lighting kit is normally $160 ask her to order the "lutron lighting kit" and it's $120.

jlcj7 said:

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Anybody else try this? I did... Me: "Alexa, play dick her, dick her." Alexa: "I cannot find the song Dicker Taker." LOL!