If you’re looking for a state-of-the-art home automation, you should check out Fibaro. You can automate almost anything with this setup!
FIBARO Home Automation System
Amazon Echo
The Amazon Echo has already reached his 2nd Generation.
Let’s have a look at the features:
- Echo connects to Alexa to play music, make calls, set music alarms and timers, ask questions, control smart home devices, and more—instantly.
- Just ask for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, and more. With multi-room music, you can play music on compatible Echo devices in different rooms. Echo can also play Audible audiobooks, radio stations, news briefs, and more.
- Call or message almost anyone hands-free with your Echo device. Also, instantly connect to other Echo devices in your home using just your voice.
- New speaker, now with Dolby processing for crisp vocals and dynamic bass response. Echo can fill the room with 360° omnidirectional audio.
- With seven microphones, beamforming technology, and noise cancellation, Echo hears you from any direction—even while music is playing
- Just ask Alexa to check your calendar, weather, traffic, and sports scores, manage to-do and shopping lists, control your compatible smart lights, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more
- Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new features and skills. Just ask Alexa to control your TV, request an Uber, order a pizza, and more.
Where to buy?
Amazon.com
Ebay.com
Mega Voice Command on Android Wear?
Is Mega Voice Command making his way to Android Wear? According to their Facebook page , they are looking for users to test.
Check it out here
Joao’s First Public Tasker Release
As mentioned before, Joao has now acquired Tasker and this will be a benefit for everybody. His first priority is to:
Make Tasker much easier to use for everyone, while not giving up on the power it already has!
In his latest release you can find:
Custom setting:
But also:
- Runtime Permissions
- Location Mode
- Immersive Mode
- Authentication Dialog
- Android P
- New Actions
- …
Check it out here
AutoVoice on Amazon Echo
We knew they were testing and now it’s finally here! Autovoice is completely integrated with Amazon Echo. Never you have to say again: “Ask AutoVoice to…” which was quite annoying to be completely honest.
In the video, you can see a really short example of how it works with your phone volume.
Check out the full tutorial here.
BEDDI – Intelligent Alarm Clock
Getting out of bed is a big problem for a lot of people. So the creators of Beddi decided to do something about it. This Intelligent Alarm Clock’s single goal is to make your morning routine as smooth as possible.
It is packed with features:
- Spotify integration
- Wake Up Light
- Soothing Sound Generator
- Traffic & Weather report
- Multiple USB Charging
- High Quality Bluetooth Speaker
- SmartHome Ready (Philips Hue, Google Nest,…)
- One Touch Uber Calling
It actually comes at a fair price which is $74.99. Check out the full product here
Gladys: the smart home assistant
Another great Smart Home Assistant we came across the other day is Gladys. Gladys is an open-source program which runs on Rasberry Pi. It has a very enthusiastic community which is around 28k big.
The video gives you a pretty good idea of how it works. It’s mainly created to support across the day and works a lot with motion sensors.
The best thing about Gladys is that it is completely free, the only thing you need is a Raspberry Pi. Check out the website here.
How to make a smart home for $200
It’s not that hard to make your home smarter and certainly also not that expensive anymore for a mere $200 dollars you can already control your house with your voice. With this, you can play any song you want through your speakers, control your lights,…
Which setup do you have?
A Guide to Complete Home Automation Systems
A brilliant article by Mansion Global. They made an extensive guide for homeowners who want a single smart home solution. They discuss several systems like Vivint, Control4, Savant,… It’s a must-read for every person who wants to take their first steps in home automation.
Amazon Echo Lights Hack
Great tutorial from Armando Ferreira about how to use Amazon Echo to turn on your lights. Also, check out the videos from Armando as he has other great tutorials as well!