Teken

Seriously having a flash back and might decide to dig out that copy of that movie on DVD.

I know you indicated a need for local command and control but wanted to offer this other alternative in case it peaked your interest: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/17271-hub-ii-isy-echo-integration/

Answers in line . . . This thread will offer more insight and details about how others did the very same: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/17271-hub-ii-isy-echo-integration/

I agree but this only high lights the fact some devices in the home should not be placed on voice control. There are people who truly believe its still OK to place the smart lock on voice control. Trust me I get the novelty in all of this but people really need to dial back and take pause. I've been talking about Terminators SkyNet for what seems like forever and most people blow it off as paranoid and unrealistic. What is unrealistic, foolish, and 50 kinds of stupid is to think automating every aspect of your life won't have a negative consequence to the end user(s). 20 years ago there was something in the order of less than 1% of the hackers in the world that even spent anytime to bother to hack a Mac OS. Why? Because it was irrelevant in the global market place and had zero impact to obtaining data, control, or otherwise. Fast forward to 2016 the Mac OS is right up there with Windows who has been the poster child of being hacked by the masses. Not a soul would have thought a cell phone would ever be a means to access and obtain critical data, location, voice, photo, ever. Again, in the current period we all live in a cell phone is no longer a dumb analog device. It is a full on computer system that includes so many sensor arrays that it can be turned into any dreamed up tool. With respect to the so called *Wake* word you can mark my words at some point someone will figure out how to hack the Amazon Echo where the hacker can turn on the microphone and listen in to your home / surrounding. Anyone who doesn't believe this can be done hasn't been around systems long enough to understand. The only sure way to disable a such an issue is that the Echo has a physical switch that disconnects the microphone which it doesn't. Anything electronic can be turned on/off and since software is so tightly integrated with the electronics at this point they are literally one in the same. I can't speak to how others have protected themselves from such a obvious attack. But speaking for myself only I have my system physically disconnected during secure lock down or away modes. Meaning nothing can restore power to the Amazon Echo until I physically enable the power. Anyone who believes the little electronic button on the top does the same thing is simply dreaming.

I believe it comes down to having choices built into the smart application. Anyone who prefers the tones vs the voice should be able to select which ever suites their needs. Everybody's voice counts pro or con so please do vote . . .

It was in Washington D.C. so inside sources can't be offered to protect the innocent . . . Don't want another Edward Snowden debacle! Ha . . .

This is one of the originator threads with most of the details: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14525-amazon-echo-and-isy/?st=0 I believe at post #19 other important elements are provided - also please look up a great contributor Barry Gordon in the forums.

Can't wait to read the news article:

Please send in your reply via the smart App or the link offered by Jon. The more people who voice their concerns and dislike for the direction that was taken with out letting the public have a say. Will make a difference to the vendor and the next steps moving forward.

You know in one of the latest Star Trek movies *Bones* explains his reasons of why he doesn't like the whole transporter technology. I can tell you with 100% certainty the day that technology is developed. You better get ready to short that stock . . . LMAO . . . Now the replicator thing I could get behind if it was something none organic that wasn't consumed by humans. No freaking way something that is rearranged by sub atomic array theory is going to end well for you once its inside of you. Anyone curious how nano technology which was applied to pants to make them stain proof. Only has to ask the poor fools that wore them and the outcome . . .

This has been a long time complaint by many here but as Stu indicated the *Light Dims* are a great choice. Others on a more frugal budget have either placed various types of tape or used a sharpie to dim the LED to their expected level.

You have two choices to connect the Amazon Echo either the self driven roll your own using RPi middle ware and code listed in this forum. Or purchase the web portal for $49.00 for a two year subscription which offers a plug and play affair. The UDI Web Portal will also offer more services and features beyond the Echo. Some are future support for Honeywell Comfort TSTAT, Harmony, Push Bullet, IFTTT, etc. I believe when it comes down to full house voice activation you have several choices. Purchase a full Echo in each room, buy the remote, or the Dot / Tap. In the future I am sure the push for Smartphone voice activation will be the next *Microphone* for the Echo.

Agreed, or where no one is around to do the same definitely a handy resource when needed. Back on topic, how many people are considering the tap device as I see lots of discussion on the little dot but no voices showing any love for the battery operated version. Can't speak for anyone else but I didn't find the casing for the tap very pleasing. Not too sure why they didn't just add a mega battery to the existing Amazon Echo?

Oh I can't see the cloud ever being an issue?!?! Think Nest TSTAT over the air (OTA) battery drain fail. LOL . . . This time five years from now *stupid* will be pushed so far in the self driving vehicle tech. None of you will be complaining about the cloud is down vs little Johnny just got smoked by the automated milk truck. This is only second to every American citizen who will have their cell phones camera, microphone, GPS, activated with out your consent or knowledge! Got to love the jack boot thugs called the FBI, NSA and the American Government for all of the above. Back on topic: Alexa lives . . .

I am sure there are many use cases and instants where someone may be in a room. Then shortly there after require more light and do what ever to make it so, no? I've been in many rooms where I didn't notice the gradual day light fading away and just kept on working. Until it became too dark to continue reading, working, what ever. As stated, I would be in that room and obviously would turn on those lights via what ever method. For me lots of this is quite automated which is why all of us are here! Ha . . . In some specific rooms just me walking in turns on specific task lighting. While others nothing happens until a defined time has arrived. In other cases using iBeacons the system only keeps the lights on so long as (I) or a specific (Human) is present. Then we all have the Amazon Echo which offers another method and layer to enable various loads etc.

I like to play devils advocate so here goes . . . With respect to Kick Starter (KS) the idea and premise of the medium is very sound. It offers huge potential to take just some random person(s) idea and make it into reality. Now, that is what the intent and idea is about mediums like KS and Indigogo. The reality is most of these projects are lots of hype and offer very little substance when the product arrives. This assumes the product ever arrives or even meets the stated goals the vendor had illustrated to the public. Speaking for myself only I have seen countless KS projects that failed and some were also complete scams. While the majority are real and those backing said project received pretty much what was advertised. Most of these project slip in terms of time line and final delivery. This is probably the biggest issue with KS and the backers - unrealistic time lines from concept, production, to final delivery. The second biggest issue is a lack of (honest) and direct communications. There are thousands of examples in KS and Indigogo that show the vendor completely dropping off the radar. For me I have been extremely *lucky* in that all of the projects that I backed have all panned out and the final product was reflective of the initial advert. I believe people really need to consider what I call the (Loss / Aggravation) factor. Meaning if you lost $100.XX it wouldn't be the end of the world and life could go on. In terms of aggravation my thoughts are to consider this very much like the lotto. Should it pan out you win. If it doesn't the odds weren't very much in your favor to start with . . . Outside of a repeat vendor which there have been many in both sites you really never know if a project will materialize. This is why I always say ensure the credit card company you use has a real purchase protection plan (PPP). Many here may ask or even scoff at the the idea or mention of PPP. The reality is you need to read the fine print as to how long and the time limits you're covered under. One of several key things I learned along the way from past experience is the following: 1. Limit what you contribute and fund and decide (IF) you can afford to lose said investment. 2. Research the vendor, as often time like Elvis indicated above that company can use and different name and many scammers have tried to use both sites to keep the fraud going. 3. Initiate direct communications via the sites personal messaging system. Specifically ask about time lines, delivery dates, confirmation of your investment, shipping, and related features in the project. The majority of the honest vendors will simply affirm what is in the advert this is fine because they don't plan on scamming you. For the others the intent is to obtain written text from the vendor which can be used in fraud cases and litigation / CC charge backs. 4. Report Abuse: Both sites have a report abuse link. Most of them are pure sh^t and the sites have plenty of legalese to protect themselves against civil suites. Regardless, in America anyone can bring court action and the over all intent of using the report abuse link is to show you have done some due diligence and follow up. This only bolsters your position and supports any CC charge back. 5. Comments: Always monitor the comments and screen capture any from the vendor for historic recall. Again, 99% of the vendors are honest and nothing they are going to say will put them in a liable position because they fully intend to complete the project etc. For those scammers this is more proof of someone just yanking your chain or trying to buy time. Always add your $0.02 in the comments as it shows you're active, aware, and present. Ultimately, any venture capital investment is a risk and should be considered as such. Due diligence on your part must be done to the best of your ability otherwise you will be left with a thinner wallet and balder scalp! Ha . . .

LOL . . . Right now as I sit here not a soul including Alexa is talking to me!

Done . . .

That's great to know someone else is seeing the same issue. Sometimes I just need volume 2 to be 2.50, but when you ask the system to go from 2 to 3 its like 2-4.5?!?! But like I said if you're on volume 3 and go to 4, 5, 6, it seems to be a uniform stepped output. I suppose the reality is my lazy aszz needs to get off the chair and dial it down to the exact level I want. Ha . . .

Guys at Amazon were very quick to reply let's hope it pans out to be an option. ========================= The highest calling in life is to serve ones country faithfully - Teach others what can be. Do what is right and not what is popular.

I agree and like most of us already stated it should just be an option that can be invoked. Its not rocket science and doesn't cost anything to the vendor besides lower customer satisfaction.

I wanted to know if others are experiencing the same volume issue I see here? If the volume is set to 2 its pretty quiet but if you ask her to adjust it to 3 the volume just shoots up. Going to 3, 4, 5 the volume appears to be a steady incremental change in dB level. One would have guessed with all the digital electronics the volume would be smoother. The volume ring works perfectly fine and since its late I haven't had the chance to confirm if the ring has any impact to the disparity of the volume from 2-3. I gather not because the ring volume has been adjusted many times in the past to obtain the correct volume.

I submitted feed back via their smart App. I echoed (see what I did there ) the very same that it should be an option. Some like me like the OK vs others may wish to have the ding - dong.

This excellent program was crafted and offered to the forum members by our resident Belias. This program can be adapted to any battery operated device which has a heart beat function: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/11566-leak-sensors-a-suggested-complete-program-package/?hl=%2Bleak+%2Bsensor+%2Bprogram

Hello Leon, Understood about wall warts and aesthetics because I would be hard pressed to hang a huge white block up on the wall. No matter the use of wire mold to hide the wire trail. I was just thinking if it was somewhere discreet where it really didn't matter. But then again I really couldn't see myself hanging some kind of random white block in my home even if I couldn't see it! Ha . . .