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Digitial Home Assistant
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BuckyB93 Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 12:17 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,165
Any of you old farts use Amazon Alexa or Google Home at your shack?

I know this is the wrong forum and even the wrong audience since most of youze are still trying to decide if it's time to give up your flip phone but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Part of my current edumacation has got me thinkin' 'bout gettin' one of these new fangled do-hikies. Seems like it's the new thing all the kids are doing and I shud prolly learn 'em. I've faked my way so far but a bunch of my classes are about IoT, AI, cloud $hit stuff, and stuff... yet I ain't gots one in my shack.

Any advice? I'm leaning to the Google Assistant but I also have Amazon Prime and Music which kinda puts me in the Alexa corner too. What do you use (if you use any)? Looking for real world pros and cons from real world losers & users.

So any advice other than don't test an active electric outlet with a butter knife or try to shoot a raccoon when riding shotgun in a gocart?






Disclaimer: Let's put the "big brother" thing aside, that's a bigger topic all on it's own. I PM'ed RAM and Whistle but they couldn't help... neither of the mentioned home assistant's have the ability to change old fart diapers.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 12:54 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
We use Alexa... we've got the small ones for the garage and bedrooms... we've got a bigger one (significantly better music quality) in the living room...

Things we use it for all the time include music, setting timers, getting the weather, turning on lamps (smart plugs), and answering the constant barrage of children's questions... instead of "look it up" I get to say "ask Alexa" and I get to learn with them...
ZRX1200 Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 2:24 AM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,582
I thought we were talking Japanese sex robots and Mexican maids.
teedubbya Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 5:04 AM EST
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
Can’t help. I thought this thread was about getting fingered.
Speyside Offline
#5 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 6:36 AM EST
Joined: 03-16-2015
Posts: 13,106
We use Alexa in conjunction with a Domotron hub. It works well.
fourfear Offline
#6 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 7:38 AM EST
Joined: 01-25-2021
Posts: 230
Use Alexa for music, works great.
MACS Offline
#7 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 7:43 AM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,747
GET OFF MY LAWN!!

I'm technologically challenged. I don't even have smart TV's...
Smooth light Offline
#8 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 8:56 AM EST
Joined: 06-26-2020
Posts: 3,598
Don't even think about, you lazy excuse for a hat rack.

Not looking for new problems got plenty of old ones, to keep me entertained. 🥱
Gene363 Offline
#9 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 8:59 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,799
In the remote for my Amazion TV dongle, but I don't leave it on.


Alexia = Spy ram27bat
opelmanta1900 Offline
#10 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 10:46 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
MACS wrote:
GET OFF MY LAWN!!

I'm technologically challenged. I don't even have smart TV's...

Me neither... my tvs are old... I was really resistant to Alexa at first, but being able to play any song I want just by telling her to do it makes it totally worth it...
opelmanta1900 Offline
#11 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 10:48 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
Gene363 wrote:
In the remote for my Amazion TV dongle, but I don't leave it on.


Alexia = Spy ram27bat

You do realize there's a camera and microphone in every single cell phone, laptop, and television made after 2015, right? If a powerful corporation wants to spy on you, they don't need your alexa...
rfenst Offline
#12 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:08 AM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,255
opelmanta1900 wrote:
Me neither... my tvs are old... I was really resistant to Alexa at first, but being able to play any song I want just by telling her to do it makes it totally worth it...

Same here. I have been pushing for one in the family room (after 23 years without)I'd love a new one for the bedroom, but our Panasonic has a good picture, even though it's like 98.2 years old. Almost got wife to agree to the family room TV, but also hoping the Panasonic takes a $hit.
MACS Offline
#13 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:08 AM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,747
They are already spying on us... and have been for some time.
BuckyB93 Offline
#14 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:09 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,165
I think I'm going Google. Reviews are kind of neck and neck but Google seems to have better voice recognition commands and deeper resources (tap into Google maps and web stuff). Plus my phones are Android so Google might make sense there.

Amazon won't let me buy a Google hub thingy though. Prolly pick one up at the local funny farm (Walmart) if they have a Google mini thingy in stock. Looks like many of the wizy-ma-jigs are both Google and Amazon compatible so either will work from that standpoint.
rfenst Offline
#15 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:11 AM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,255
My elderly mother wants to set up a few Alexa around her house so that if she fall and can't get up, all she has to do is call out for help. Any thoughts on this?
Speyside Offline
#16 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:19 AM EST
Joined: 03-16-2015
Posts: 13,106
Just make sure it is a wireless node. Can you believe they are still selling hard wired nodes?
opelmanta1900 Offline
#17 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:54 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
BuckyB93 wrote:
I think I'm going Google. Reviews are kind of neck and neck but Google seems to have better voice recognition commands and deeper resources (tap into Google maps and web stuff). Plus my phones are Android so Google might make sense there.

Amazon won't let me buy a Google hub thingy though. Prolly pick one up at the local funny farm (Walmart) if they have a Google mini thingy in stock. Looks like many of the wizy-ma-jigs are both Google and Amazon compatible so either will work from that standpoint.

The only reason I think you might regret that is the music... but then again I don't know what Google has for music options...
Gene363 Offline
#18 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:54 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,799
opelmanta1900 wrote:
You do realize there's a camera and microphone in every single cell phone, laptop, and television made after 2015, right? If a powerful corporation wants to spy on you, they don't need your alexa...


Absolutely, but I'm not about to volunteer.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#19 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:55 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
rfenst wrote:
My elderly mother wants to set up a few Alexa around her house so that if she fall and can't get up, all she has to do is call out for help. Any thoughts on this?

I think the nest can be had for $20-$30 each... 3 would probably be enough...
opelmanta1900 Offline
#20 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:56 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
Gene363 wrote:
Absolutely, but I'm not about to volunteer.

So you don't have a laptop, TV, or cell phone made after 2015? Cuz if you do, you volunteered... that camera on your cell phone always functions, as does the microphone...
Gene363 Offline
#21 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 12:00 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,799
BuckyB93 wrote:
I think I'm going Google. Reviews are kind of neck and neck but Google seems to have better voice recognition commands and deeper resources (tap into Google maps and web stuff). Plus my phones are Android so Google might make sense there.

Amazon won't let me buy a Google hub thingy though. Prolly pick one up at the local funny farm (Walmart) if they have a Google mini thingy in stock. Looks like many of the wizy-ma-jigs are both Google and Amazon compatible so either will work from that standpoint.


Walmart has a pretty good online ordering site, often with free delivery or delivery to a local store.
izonfire Offline
#22 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 12:18 PM EST
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,644
rfenst wrote:
My elderly mother wants to set up a few Alexa around her house so that if she fall and can't get up, all she has to do is call out for help. Any thoughts on this?

Alexa won’t help her to get up.

Matter of fact,
she’ll probably mock her while she lays helplessly on the floor...
ZRX1200 Offline
#23 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 12:39 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,582
Alexa play https://youtu.be/04F4xlWSFh0
fourfear Offline
#24 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 12:52 PM EST
Joined: 01-25-2021
Posts: 230
rfenst wrote:
My elderly mother wants to set up a few Alexa around her house so that if she fall and can't get up, all she has to do is call out for help. Any thoughts on this?

It's worth a try.
BuckyB93 Offline
#25 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 1:35 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,165
I think both allow you to make phone calls via voice commands from an established contacts list including 911.

As for a music library, Google owns YouTube so they use that for their music database and, If I understand it, you can upload/setup your own playlists.

About $40 for a mini Google nest. I've wasted more than $40 on stupider $hit.

Re: privacy, I'm aware of the trems and conditions and what is shared and stored. I'm not too worried if they track what music I listen too. I've found some stuff that I'd normally not run into if they didn't suggest it based on my likes. Netflix, Hulu, Prime do it all the time with what I stream and watch. If my location is of concern, junk mail already knows where to find me and I used to be in the phone book when I had a landline.

Anyone can already Google me if they so desire. There's a ton of publicly available stuff out there with a LinkedIn account, property purchases and sales, blah blah, blah.
Stogie1020 Offline
#26 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 2:04 PM EST
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,308
We got a smart thermostat when we replaced our AC system and it has Alexa built in. It's fun, but we rarely use it.
delta1 Offline
#27 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 8:02 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,778
we got a Hey Google thingy a couple years ago, from DIL for Xmas... and used it mostly to play music on command....we had already installed smart switches with timers to turn on and off the exterior garage and driveway lights and the front family room light...it woulda cost us some money to retrofit light switches and outlets to smart ones to work with Hey Google..

I realized that it's prolly healthier for two past middle-aged, somewhat plump peeps to get off their azzes every once in while to turn something on and off...


the poor Hey Google thingy just sits in a cabinet now...it did have decent sound quality for its size...
frankj1 Offline
#28 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 9:45 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,215
I miss my flip phone.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#29 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 10:16 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
delta1 wrote:
we got a Hey Google thingy a couple years ago, from DIL for Xmas... and used it mostly to play music on command....we had already installed smart switches with timers to turn on and off the exterior garage and driveway lights and the front family room light...it woulda cost us some money to retrofit light switches and outlets to smart ones to work with Hey Google..

I realized that it's prolly healthier for two past middle-aged, somewhat plump peeps to get off their azzes every once in while to turn something on and off...


the poor Hey Google thingy just sits in a cabinet now...it did have decent sound quality for its size...

You know if you get several you can make house-wide announcements... seems like you could get a lot of fun out of the hijinks that would ensue from such power....
BuckyB93 Offline
#30 Posted: Thu, May 27 2021, 11:55 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,165
I went with the Google mini nest. Easy to set up and use. Playing the Beastie Boys right now off of YouTube music. The speaker can get loud enough for a bedroom (actually louder than I expected) for a small puck but it's not going to rattle the windows. A little short on the highs but whatya expect for $50. I think a set of bluetooth speakers or sumptin will be the next thing on the list to add.

A buddy I work with has his whole shack smartified: Google nest, lights, fans, door locks, Roomba vacuum thingy, iRobot floor moping thingy and on and on (the kid's got too much money burning a hole in his pocket). He gave me a tutorial of all the $hit he has hooked up and that can be accessed from voice commands to his cell phone.

From now on when I walk by him I'm going to start to say things like "Hey Google, tell Roomba to vacuum the bedroom. Hey Google, unlock the door. Hey Google, mop the floor. Hey Google, turn on the kitchen lights..."

Oh boy, this is going to be fun. He's going to have to shut off his phone when I'm around since I'm totally gonna #uck with his $hit.
8trackdisco Offline
#31 Posted: Fri, May 28 2021, 6:32 AM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,074
BuckyB93 wrote:
Any of you old farts use Amazon Alexa or Google Home at your shack?

I know this is the wrong forum and even the wrong audience since most of youze are still trying to decide if it's time to give up your flip phone but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Part of my current edumacation has got me thinkin' 'bout gettin' one of these new fangled do-hikies. Seems like it's the new thing all the kids are doing and I shud prolly learn 'em. I've faked my way so far but a bunch of my classes are about IoT, AI, cloud $hit stuff, and stuff... yet I ain't gots one in my shack.

Any advice? I'm leaning to the Google Assistant but I also have Amazon Prime and Music which kinda puts me in the Alexa corner too. What do you use (if you use any)? Looking for real world pros and cons from real world losers & users.

So any advice other than don't test an active electric outlet with a butter knife or try to shoot a raccoon when riding shotgun in a gocart?



Disclaimer: Let's put the "big brother" thing aside, that's a bigger topic all on it's own. I PM'ed RAM and Whistle but they couldn't help... neither of the mentioned home assistant's have the ability to change old fart diapers.


Won’t go Big Brother much.
Simply put, enough of our privacy is being taken away and being sold. I’m not going to contribute to their cause. Listened to Edward Snowden on the Rogan podcast. We might be screwed either way with our current addiction to gadgets and sloth.
8trackdisco Offline
#32 Posted: Fri, May 28 2021, 6:33 AM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,074
teedubbya wrote:
Can’t help. I thought this thread was about getting fingered.


(Chuckle)
Gene363 Offline
#33 Posted: Fri, May 28 2021, 10:44 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,799
This Faceless cartoon goes with this thread:

https://www.faceless.co.za/read_fl.asp?rated=1&pass_num=1917
delta1 Offline
#34 Posted: Fri, May 28 2021, 6:38 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,778
frankj1 wrote:
I miss my flip phone.



they're coming back, ya know...bettern before, they say...
BuckyB93 Offline
#35 Posted: Mon, May 31 2021, 4:19 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,165
Bluetooth speakers are due it today (not sure if they deliver on the holiday though).

Tried to fark with my buddies smart home thingy with his cell phone but it won't recognize my voice for commands.
izonfire Offline
#36 Posted: Mon, May 31 2021, 4:21 AM EST
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,644
My nads could use a digital assistant about now...
BuckyB93 Offline
#37 Posted: Mon, May 31 2021, 4:24 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,165
Return to forum without posting
izonfire Offline
#38 Posted: Mon, May 31 2021, 4:25 AM EST
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,644
Drool
Gene363 Offline
#39 Posted: Mon, May 31 2021, 7:08 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,799
Amazon’s Sidewalk Will Soon Share Your Internet With Your Neighbors

Quote:
Amazon Sidewalk is still an experiment but that experiment is set to go live in the US on June 8. Not only are all Amazon Echo and Ring devices eligible, they are actually enrolled by default. Users will have to explicitly change their settings to opt-out and Amazon is probably hoping that they will also fall back on their default behavior of not changing default settings anyway.


If you have the newer devices that support this I'd turn it off or the FBI might smash your doors and arrest you because a neighboor is downloading kiddie porn.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GRGWE27XHZPRPBGX

https://hackaday.com/2020/11/30/amazon-sidewalk-should-you-be-co-opted-into-a-private-neighbourhood-lora-network/

https://www.wired.com/story/how-amazon-sidewalk-works/

https://www.ghacks.net/2021/05/30/if-you-dont-want-amazon-devices-to-share-your-bandwidth-with-your-neighbors-you-need-to-opt-out/
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