Amazon Echo

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#1649225 11-Oct-2016 14:27

richms:

Using an esp8266 to fake a wemo for alexa control

https://github.com/kakopappa/arduino-esp8266-alexa-wemo-switch

Someone else will probably have a play with this before I get around to it.

And now it looks like you may not even need to roll your own esp8266 with relay etc;

http://www.cnx-software.com/2016/10/10/sonoff-pow-is-a-10-50-esp8266-wifi-relay-box-that-also-measures-power-consumption/

richms

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#1649229 11-Oct-2016 14:31

Not even had a play with my last sonoffs to arrive and they make a new one.

Richard rich.ms

Kiwi0ne

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#1650141 13-Oct-2016 09:20

Hello all,

Yesterday night I finally received my Echo. :) All happy and works automagically.

Now, I do have a couple of questions: by going into Music and Media, under Accounts, I can only find Amazon Music, Spotify and TuneIn.

There is no way for me to add Pandora and iHeartRadio apparently, as they are not there. Moreover, if I go under Default Music Service, Pandora and iHeartRadio are greyed out and cannot be selected. Just wondering if there's any way to add Pandora, at least?

Still have to tackle the change in Timezone and Address. Or at least try if that might work.

Cheers,

Emanuele

Kiwi0ne

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#1650254 13-Oct-2016 11:52

Ok, managed to change TimeZoneID using the RequestMaker PTU hack.

Should I even bother in trying to change the address?

I see that now UK addresses are accepted so I am wondering if it is just a matter of a few months until Echo will be compatible with any location?

Thoughts?

networkn

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#1650257 13-Oct-2016 11:53

Kiwi0ne:

Ok, managed to change TimeZoneID using the RequestMaker PTU hack.

Should I even bother in trying to change the address?

I see that now UK addresses are accepted so I am wondering if it is just a matter of a few months until Echo will be compatible with any location?

Thoughts?

UK is the second largest location for Amazon. I expect it to be a long time before NZ is supported.

SumnerBoy

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#1650258 13-Oct-2016 11:54

You really don't get much by updating the address I don't think. I never tried again after my initial (failed) attempt and it has never been an issue. If it allowed for accurate weather forecasts without having to speak your full location then I guess it would be quite handy, but I generally look out the window for that ;).

networkn

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#1650261 13-Oct-2016 11:55

So what are the most useful things you do with your Echo. I recently discovered currency conversion, but we use it for playing music, timers in the kitchen!

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Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

xbmcnut

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#1650262 13-Oct-2016 11:56

Kiwi0ne:

Should I even bother in trying to change the address?

Don't think you'll have any joy changing the address to NZ as Amazon have blocked this now. Means you can't just ask for the weather or "nearest Thai restaurant" or order an Uber which is a shame.

RS820+, DS223, CoreELEC on Odroid N2+, 3 x Echo Dot & 7 x Google Homes connected to Home Assistant on Beelink SEi12.

SumnerBoy

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#1650265 13-Oct-2016 11:58

Yep currency conversions are pretty handy, we use it mostly for;

1. kitchen timers (multiple times per day)

2. shopping list

3. listening to spotify

4. integration with openHAB - e.g. 'turn on tv', 'turn on coffee machine', 'turn on garage door' (to open)

5. newsflash news briefings

Honestly would be lost without her now!

networkn

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#1650273 13-Oct-2016 12:04

SumnerBoy:

Yep currency conversions are pretty handy, we use it mostly for;

1. kitchen timers (multiple times per day)

2. shopping list

3. listening to spotify

4. integration with openHAB - e.g. 'turn on tv', 'turn on coffee machine', 'turn on garage door' (to open)

5. newsflash news briefings

Honestly would be lost without her now!

She would be on the top of my list of favourite devices, along with my kindle, firetv (3), and pretty much everything else Amazon :)

I'd love to get the grocery list to update another app like Wrike,

SumnerBoy

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#1650276 13-Oct-2016 12:05

Yes - I did see something on Twitter the other day about being able to integrate the shopping list with TODOist or something? Didn't investigate but that would be very useful. I have it setup to email me the shopping list when I ask what is currently on it (via IFTTT) but it is quite slow and the only way to clear the list is manually via the Alexa app.

Probably the only gripe I have with it really.

networkn

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#1650279 13-Oct-2016 12:10

SumnerBoy:

Yes - I did see something on Twitter the other day about being able to integrate the shopping list with TODOist or something? Didn't investigate but that would be very useful. I have it setup to email me the shopping list when I ask what is currently on it (via IFTTT) but it is quite slow and the only way to clear the list is manually via the Alexa app.

Probably the only gripe I have with it really.

Apparently I can remotely start my BMW!

I'd love to find a way to open and close the garage door with it :0

SumnerBoy

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#1650322 13-Oct-2016 12:25

Yeah I can check if my Leaf is charging (via the Juicebox charger) and how much it has charged etc. Not really something I check very often tho!

xbmcnut

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#1650328 13-Oct-2016 12:31

networkn:

I'd love to find a way to open and close the garage door with it :0

I'm opening and closing my garage door with it using Vera. Have ha-bridge running on a Pi2 which natively connects to Vera and Harmony hub as well as allowing API calls to the likes of Home Assistant (work in progress). Can water my garden, open garage door and invoke Harmony scenes with my Dot. Set up of ha-bridge only takes 10 minutes. Blog post on how to do that here.

RS820+, DS223, CoreELEC on Odroid N2+, 3 x Echo Dot & 7 x Google Homes connected to Home Assistant on Beelink SEi12.

Kiwi0ne

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#1650357 13-Oct-2016 13:00

Thank you all.

appreciate your help and replies!

I have actually asked a question related to home automation in the thread below this one.

:) Wondering about garage door opening, lights, etc etc

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=73&topicid=204594

Cheers!

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