Scottmichaelj Posted January 16, 2018 Posted January 16, 2018 Thought some of you Google Home users would like this and wanted to share. Hands-on: The Mini Back Pack mounts the Google Home Mini to your outlet for $15 https://9to5google.com/2018/01/16/hands-on-the-mini-back-pack-google-home-mini/ Article: /Start The Google Home Mini is a fantastic piece of hardware. It’s small, has a decent enough speaker for talking to Google Assistant or listening to music, and it’s inexpensive. The Home Mini’s biggest issue is just the fact that you have to have it laying on a surface with a long cable trailing behind it. While Google and Incipio have partnered together to create a wall mount for the Mini, it just isn’t ideal for those who don’t want to or can’t put holes in their walls. Thankfully, a third-party company has created the perfect solution, mounting the Home Mini to your electrical outlet. The Mini Back Pack comes in a kit, including the wall plug, a short microUSB cable, and the mount itself. Connecting the Home Mini to the mount is pretty straightforward. There are three arms that each have small teeth that fit in between the Mini’s plastic casing and the fabric top. My biggest complaint with the whole set up process was the short microUSB cable that comes with the kit. While I appreciated the minimal length, so it doesn’t show when the Home Mini is mounted, its size made it hard to plug in. You have to align each end perfectly and then push down at the same time, or else it is impossible to plug the microUSB connector in. Additionally, as you can see from the below photos, the cord is so taunt that I worry about it malfunctioning or even breaking. Once you get everything connected and plugged into a wall outlet, the Mini Back Pack transforms the Home Mini into the perfect wall speaker, something Nvidia wanted to do with the Spot. The compact design and electrical prong placement means the entire package only takes up one outlet and is almost entirely hidden behind the Home Mini. While this might not be the ideal mounting situation for you, I did find this to be extremely useful in the kitchen and even the bathroom where counter space is limited. /END
larryllix Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 Nice idea. Too bad it covers up two receptacle slots.
Scottmichaelj Posted January 17, 2018 Author Posted January 17, 2018 Nice idea. Too bad it covers up two receptacle slots. Leave it to you to bitch! Old f@rt!
TrojanHorse Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 I don’t have a dog in the fight but look at the Amazon linked pictures. It doesn’t cover 2 outlets. Unless maybe if they’re sideways or upside down Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
lilyoyo1 Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 I don’t have a dog in the fight but look at the Amazon linked pictures. It doesn’t cover 2 outlets. Unless maybe if they’re sideways or upside down Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Nice idea. Too bad it covers up two receptacle slots. I ordered a few for the ones that I have. They'll be here friday. My minis are the only things plugged into the outlets anyway so if it covers one I will be ok. I will update once hooked up
larryllix Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 I don’t have a dog in the fight but look at the Amazon linked pictures. It doesn’t cover 2 outlets. Unless maybe if they’re sideways or upside down Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Even the stock AC adapter supplied with my Google Home Minis won't live beside another small two prong plug in the six-banger receptacle splitters. I had to switch it to a BlackBerry mini USB adapter to get it into the next slot. BTW: I measured the USB draw into the Mini as 0.27-0.55 amperes at peak times. Almost any micro adapter should work fine. There was no need fo that huge round puck they supplied me. However, only the very small microUSB plugs found on some cords, will pentrate the Mini's power socket. Since the world is beginning to live out of their receptacles for everything, you would think Google would be more aware. I guess they live on AI anyway. LOL.
mwester Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 Perhaps it's time we simply accept that the venerable 120VAC outlet is insufficient for modern homes. Imagine if we had a separate DC voltage distribution system alongside the AC outlets. Perhaps something in the same form-factor, with various DC outlets (USB, USB-C, perhaps a 20VDC connector for laptops). [Yes, I know we have outlets with USB power connectors in them - I have several of those. But they are compromised by space, and are made more expensive by the need to be small enough, and the need to co-exist in a box with 120VAC. Imagine something in the same form-factor, that had only to do DC-DC conversion from 48VDC (same power used on PoE), and thus could have the same face-plates but wouldn't need to be constrained or made more expensive by needing a box in the wall at all. And while we're all dreaming, let's add a few more conductors to that same DC power distribution cable that we can use for a low-cost control network (there's lots of those, but pick one from industrial automation rather than invent a new one, please!). Run that to all the places we might put things like thermostats, garage door openers, sensors, etc... Ah, what a wonderful world! Wish I'd have thought of that when we built this house. ]
larryllix Posted January 17, 2018 Posted January 17, 2018 Perhaps it's time we simply accept that the venerable 120VAC outlet is insufficient for modern homes. Imagine if we had a separate DC voltage distribution system alongside the AC outlets. Perhaps something in the same form-factor, with various DC outlets (USB, USB-C, perhaps a 20VDC connector for laptops). [Yes, I know we have outlets with USB power connectors in them - I have several of those. But they are compromised by space, and are made more expensive by the need to be small enough, and the need to co-exist in a box with 120VAC. Imagine something in the same form-factor, that had only to do DC-DC conversion from 48VDC (same power used on PoE), and thus could have the same face-plates but wouldn't need to be constrained or made more expensive by needing a box in the wall at all. And while we're all dreaming, let's add a few more conductors to that same DC power distribution cable that we can use for a low-cost control network (there's lots of those, but pick one from industrial automation rather than invent a new one, please!). Run that to all the places we might put things like thermostats, garage door openers, sensors, etc... Ah, what a wonderful world! Wish I'd have thought of that when we built this house. ] Perhaps double box receptacles could be implemented with more of that in a double style device. Transmitting 5V USB power would be tough for the longer runs. Already some USB charging systems have gone to 9 Vdc, so even USB power seems like it is another flash in the pan now. With a mostly one room home now, I am finding the lack of wall space is causing a real shortage of receptacles count. Even where I put in double receptacles for A/V areas, the receptacles are mounted too close to each other for all these adaptors taking so much space and covering the next outlet.
Michel Kohanim Posted January 18, 2018 Posted January 18, 2018 Mwester, I very much like the idea. As larryllix suggested, the main issue with DC has always been distance. I've seen research/studies that show promise. Let's hope! With kind regards, Michel
lilyoyo1 Posted January 19, 2018 Posted January 19, 2018 My mount came in and it works great. If you plug it into the to outlet it does not block the bottom outlet. I'm not sure where the author got that the USB plug was hard to get in place. It was easy to me. For kitchens and bathrooms where a person has a mini on the countertop, I would have to say that this is a must buy.
Scottmichaelj Posted January 20, 2018 Author Posted January 20, 2018 My mount came in and it works great. If you plug it into the to outlet it does not block the bottom outlet. I'm not sure where the author got that the USB plug was hard to get in place. It was easy to me. For kitchens and bathrooms where a person has a mini on the countertop, I would have to say that this is a must buy. Thanks for your “real life” feedback. Glad you enjoyed me sharing it.
lilyoyo1 Posted January 20, 2018 Posted January 20, 2018 You're welcome. To be honest it looks much better plugged in this way than sitting on the counter
Teken Posted January 20, 2018 Posted January 20, 2018 I honestly can't ever seeing myself having a round blob connected to my outlets. Running stealth is my objective in almost everything I do so this is what I'm going with. I can insert what ever module that suites the room, floor, space, or my needs. I need a camera no problem change the insert. Need a Alexa voice control no problem pop in a new insert. Need a mini speaker for music, PA, no problem pop in a new insert. Need a CO detector in a specific room, floor, space, pop in a new insert. Need to expand IR ability from another room no problem pop in a new insert. Need motion detection?? Well ~ pop in a new insert . . . All stealth with no ugly blob hanging off the wall . . .
Scottmichaelj Posted January 21, 2018 Author Posted January 21, 2018 I honestly can't ever seeing myself having a round blob connected to my outlets. Running stealth is my objective in almost everything I do so this is what I'm going with. I can insert what ever module that suites the room, floor, space, or my needs. I need a camera no problem change the insert. Need a Alexa voice control no problem pop in a new insert. Need a mini speaker for music, PA, no problem pop in a new insert. Need a CO detector in a specific room, floor, space, pop in a new insert. Need to expand IR ability from another room no problem pop in a new insert. Need motion detection?? Well ~ pop in a new insert . . . All stealth with no ugly blob hanging off the wall . . . Swidget looks promising but there is no voice, if you care. For anyone that has these voice devices already and wants something nice, then this looks like a great product for Google home. I have a dev kit coming from Swidget and they are working on an open API. Hopefully the product lives up to their hype. I seen this before and was young once, dreaming big, however I seen many of these products flop. No ill wishes to the Swidget team or any KS products but even the most experienced products and companies seem to skip a beat. I am now hesitant about Weather Flow and the ice/snow issue. TBH I haven’t seen if that’s an issue with other similar devices though. I was loving the idea of the Iota iBeacon but it failed quickly. So who knows with this stuff. Right now most have “over promised, but under delivered.”
Teken Posted January 21, 2018 Posted January 21, 2018 Swidget looks promising but there is no voice, if you care. For anyone that has these voice devices already and wants something nice, then this looks like a great product for Google home. I have a dev kit coming from Swidget and they are working on an open API. Hopefully the product lives up to their hype. I seen this before and was young once, dreaming big, however I seen many of these products flop. No ill wishes to the Swidget team or any KS products but even the most experienced products and companies seem to skip a beat. I am now hesitant about Weather Flow and the ice/snow issue. TBH I haven’t seen if that’s an issue with other similar devices though. I was loving the idea of the Iota iBeacon but it failed quickly. So who knows with this stuff. Right now most have “over promised, but under delivered.” True, there have been quite a few KS & IndiGoGo flops in 2017. If the Swidget outlet meets what I hope to be the next generation of smart outlets this will usher in a new path for stealth integration for me and many others. At this juncture only the basic inserts are ready. The more advanced inserts from AP WiFi, Alexa, Speaker, CO, Camera are slated for the June launch. I'm eager to see how the Z-Wave Plus and energy monitoring operates with these units. If everything goes as planned the smart outlet will allow me to integrate many capabilities like extending IR to every room without complex hardware and wiring. The speaker inserts will offer me that sound & low power PA system I've been looking for without added wiring to my home. Circle back on what you find regarding their dev kit. I came really close in getting it but had two other related projects take priority. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Scottmichaelj Posted January 21, 2018 Author Posted January 21, 2018 Circle back on what you find regarding their dev kit. I came really close in getting it but had two other related projects take priority. Will do. Word on the street from them at CES was they are trying to ship product by Feb and soon after (March) release the API. Seems backwards to me. Release the API, let us nerds look at it and make suggestions so the hardware could be tweaked, but what do is nerds know anyway!?
Teken Posted January 21, 2018 Posted January 21, 2018 Will do. Word on the street from them at CES was they are trying to ship product by Feb and soon after (March) release the API. Seems backwards to me. Release the API, let us nerds look at it and make suggestions so the hardware could be tweaked, but what do is nerds know anyway!? If true they are way ahead of schedule because the KS indicates June of this year?!? My primary interest and concern is the more advanced inserts like Alexa, Speaker, Camera, and WiFi AP. The other inserts offer little value to me like the night light / emergency light?!?
Scottmichaelj Posted January 21, 2018 Author Posted January 21, 2018 If true they are way ahead of schedule because the KS indicates June of this year?!? My primary interest and concern is the more advanced inserts like Alexa, Speaker, Camera, and WiFi AP. The other inserts offer little value to me like the night light / emergency light?!?
Teken Posted January 21, 2018 Posted January 21, 2018 I don’t have high hopes for a majority of the inserts. Camera? Megapixel? Speaker? How good when it has to be so small? WiFi? Interference from power? Meh. I think night light/emergency would be good. ZWave repeater would be nice. Maybe Alexa if Amazon gets their “areas” or “rooms” right but I am not into voice. I like the USB and energy monitoring features. Control would be great too. Motion with third party might be interesting for security or trigger the other Swidgets to turn on the night/emergency light. Realistically I don't expect HD quality sound from a mini speaker. But if one considers the volume and sound that comes out of a smart phone these days it's loud enough to provide what I need for back ground music and PA notification. The plan is to connect Julie U.S. to these speakers if and when needed to offer Weather Hazard Alerts, Security, etc. I see very little value in the USB insert considering they can't be controlled. Why would you need a Night Light?!?
Scottmichaelj Posted January 21, 2018 Author Posted January 21, 2018 Realistically I don't expect HD quality sound from a mini speaker. But if one considers the volume and sound that comes out of a smart phone these days it's loud enough to provide what I need for back ground music and PA notification. The plan is to connect Julie U.S. to these speakers if and when needed to offer Weather Hazard Alerts, Security, etc. I see very little value in the USB insert considering they can't be controlled. Why would you need a Night Light?!?
lilyoyo1 Posted January 21, 2018 Posted January 21, 2018 I honestly can't ever seeing myself having a round blob connected to my outlets. Running stealth is my objective in almost everything I do so this is what I'm going with. I can insert what ever module that suites the room, floor, space, or my needs. I need a camera no problem change the insert. Need a Alexa voice control no problem pop in a new insert. Need a mini speaker for music, PA, no problem pop in a new insert. Need a CO detector in a specific room, floor, space, pop in a new insert. Need to expand IR ability from another room no problem pop in a new insert. Need motion detection?? Well ~ pop in a new insert . . . All stealth with no ugly blob hanging off the wall . . . I agree with you but until something that can be hidden (and work just as well) this is a nice substitution. To many companies over-promise and under-deliver (if they deliver at all). If those outlets work like they claim, yes, I would readily replace my Google homes with them. My only concern is how well they pick up sound. If they deliver on their claims, I'll be with you in picking up a few
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