gweempose

The ISY/ELK integration is phenomenal. I can't recommend it highly enough. Everything just works so seamlessly.

Thanks for the clarification, Benoit! I guess I've been using the ISY smart home skill all this time and didn't realize that there was a newer version available. Is it still in beta, or is it recommended that everyone upgrade to it now?

What is the difference between the ISY skill and the Smart Home skill?

Once you get used to having an Echo around, it's hard to imagine life before it.

If you are a Prime member, you can purchase an Echo today for $129. Hurry up, though. It's a lightning deal, and it's already 28% claimed.

Count me in as someone who had no idea that the Alexa Fund was in any way tied to venture capital. I assumed it was just a way for Amazon to encourage development on their new platform. I guess I'm naive to think that they would just fork over money and not expect a piece of the action.

Ah, thanks for the clarification!

I figured it out. Once I played around wit it a little, I realized that it's actually pretty easy. I simply created a different program for each armed state, and inserted the corresponding arm command into the "Then" statement. Works like a charm!

So now I'm even more confused. That's the list I was referring to, but if the Echo is capable of deciphering virtually any combination of words, what is the purpose of the list? Is it simply just to show examples?

When assigning spoken names to ISY devices and scenes, are you limited to certain words, or can you use any words you want and have the Echo figure it out phonetically? I seem to recall there being a specific list of words that the Echo understands, but I can't find this list anywhere.

Thank you for the reply. You raise some very interesting and valid points. It sounds like you are ultimately against the very concept of the ISY's ELK security module, as you generally feel HA and security should be kept entirely separate. Is this the correct interpretation of your response? My thinking was that the ISY Portal is a relatively safe way to access the ELK system, since you don't even need to expose any of the ELK's ports outside the firewall. Perhaps I am being naive. As far as thinking the system was armed when it actually wasn't, this isn't something I am concerned about. All of my Echoes are located within earshot of my ELK speakers. I would have instant audible feedback from the ELK system itself every time the system is armed. I also have keypads all over my house which I can easily look at to view the status of the system.

I can understand why it would be a bad idea to disarm the system from the Echo, but what would be the issue with arming it using my voice? How is that any different than arming it by pressing a button on one of my keypads?

I have a 994 with a Portal subscription and the ELK security module. I'd like to arm my M1 via the Echo. Is this possible?

Update: I fixed it. I logged out of my Amazon account on my phone, and then deleted the cache on the Alexa app. I then logged back in, and it magically worked.

Is anyone else experience problems logging into the Alexa app on their phone? Mine seems like it's stuck in some kind of a loop. I tried uninstalling the app and reinstalling it, but it didn't help.

I have no personal experience with them, but Smarthome makes a load sensing module called the SynchroLinc. It can be used to create custom triggers based on power state. It sounds like this might be exactly what you are looking for .... http://www.smarthome.com/synchrolinc-insteon-2423a5-power-synching-controller.html

One other caveat - if the failed device is in a sub-folder, I believe you will have to move it to the main folder before you can replace it.

Can you please elaborate on this. What are "Pushover" notifications, and how do I set them up? Thanks!

That's what I figured. I doesn't peel off that easily, though, so I thought I was perhaps trying to remove something that wasn't meant to be removed.

The film doesn't actually cover the sensors. I tested the unit, and it works fine with the film on.

I just picked up a bunch of leak sensors (2852-222). I noticed there is a clear plastic film on them from the factory. Is this supposed to be removed before deploying the sensors, or is it there to protect the electronics from moisture?

Some great ideas in this thread! I can't believe how much Smarthome charges for the custom etched buttons. It's basically highway robbery.

I'd like to add a deadbolt to my house that I can control with my ISY. I see that Smarthome makes an Insteon lock controller that is compatible with MiLock deadbolts. Are these any good, or am I better off going with some type of Z-Wave deadbolt? Edit: I did a little digging and found this thread: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/17788-deadbolt-recommendations/?hl=deadbolt I probably should have searched better before asking this question. It looks like the Schlage BE469 is probably my best option. What exactly will I need to integrate this lock into my system? I assume I need to add Z-Wave capabilities to my ISY. Is there any other Z-Wave infrastructure I'll need to add, or will the Z-Wave module allow the ISY to directly communicate with the lock?

Don't get me wrong, I think a Dot in every room would be awesome. I was just saying that this remote doesn't seem like it would be quite as useful if/when they allow voice control via the app.

If they enable this feature, then a remote like this seems like kind of a waste of money. Once you can control the Echo from your phone, it will essentially give you full home voice control with a single Echo. The only reason I can see Amazon not wanting this is that it would potentially cannibalize sales of the new Echo Dot.