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We Pollute the World with Sin
We Pollute the World with Sin
A Prayer for Revival “Spirit of the Living God,Fall fresh on me.Spirit of the Living God,Fall fresh on me.. Break me; . melt me; . mold me; . fill me.Spirit of the Living God,Fall fresh on me.” Popular Chorus by Dan Iverson “Lord, that is Your process. We need to be…
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Brokenness is the Gateway to Wholeness
Brokenness is the Gateway to Wholeness
A Prayer for Revival at Mid-Day
“Spirt of the Living God, Fall fresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, Fall fresh on me. . Break me . Melt me . Mold me . Fill me Spirit of the Living God, Fall fresh on me.”
Popular Chorus by Dan Iverson
Lord, that is the process. We need to be broken down, melted and remolded by You so that You can fill us with Yourself. And Lord that is what we…
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How to Create an Alexa & Google Assistant Routine? (Updated 10/2018 – New UI)
What are smart assistant routines? How to set them up in my smart assistant? Maybe we don’t have robot maids or flying cars, but if you have a smart-home assistant like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, and you have figured out the best smart-assistant routines to make your life a cakewalk – now you are keeping up with Tony Stark. In this quick 5-minute guide, we will be talking about Alexa & Google Assistant Routine and how you can get the most out of your voice assistant device.
By combining each device’s predefined commands with straightforward protocols, you can not only simplify your life but also be sure that you are sustaining energy and saving money.
We will be focusing on Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the two most popular smart assistants.
Recommended Reading: How to Choose the Right DIY Home Automation System
What are Smart Assistant Routines?
Via: constellation.com
Smart assistants operate mainly through voice commands – OK Google, play some jazz or Alexa, switch off the lights.
But what if you want to make more requests at a time? Perhaps switch off the lights and play some jazz.
Both Alexa & Google Assistant can handle multiple commands at ones. While Google Assistant is limited to two commands, Alexa can handle never-ending series of commands given that you pause sufficiently in between commands for her to process them.
But it is still a lot of work, you have to state every single command.
Luckily, there is a way to give multiple commands to your voice assistant without having to rap out all of them in a single sentence. Amazon and Google have both introduced a functionality called Routines.
Alexa & Google Assistant Routine let you group a number of commands under a single command. It is sort of a voice shortcut where instead of saying commands for every action, you simply use one command and it does all of them.
For example, just by saying Alexa, good morning, she can turn up the thermostat, switch on the lights, deliver a weather and news briefing, and tell you about your day’s agenda. It is that easy.
Here are some essential routines for smart-home assistants:
Good Morning
Leaving Home
Commuting to Work
Commuting Home
I am Home
Bedtime
The basic idea of Alexa & Google Assistant Routine is that you can connect a number of actions in a single phrase. Furthermore, if your home has smart appliances/devices (like a smart door, microwave, AC, Mixer, etc.) that work with Google Home or Amazon Echo; you can include them in your routines.
Creating an Alexa Smart Home Routine
Amazon’s Alexa app lets you create routines that will turn on smart home appliances or get traffic and weather info either at a specific interval or when you throw in a particular expression to an Alexa-supported assistant device like Amazon Echo or Echo Dot. Here is how you can establish a routine.
Step 1: Launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet, open the side menu and select Routines.
Step 2: Tap on Create Routine or you can choose a Recommended Routine from Alexa app.
(Recommended Routine – Alexa is going to execute these actions when you say “Alexa, Start my day”.)
Step 3: Next, create a trigger. Tap on When this happens.
Trigger & Action
A trigger can be a Voice Phrase, Schedule, or Device.
Voice Phrase: When you say “Alexa, Good morning”.
Schedule: You set a specific time time you want the Alexa routine to trigger an action. You can also put the routine on repeat like weekends only, every weekday, every day, or once a week.
Device: When another smart device execute its task, then Alexa will trigger an action. For example, when your camera at the front door see somebody, then it will notify Alexa to do something (Trigger).
Step 4: Next, tap the Plus sign to add the actions. Select the action you want Alexa to perform like play music, info on news, weather or traffic, etc.
In this case, I am going to tell Alexa “play music” from Amazon Music when “I’m home“.
You can select which Amazon devices to play music if you have more than 1 Amazon Smart Device in your home. Then, tap Create.
Creating a Google Assistant Home Routine
You just have to give a command and your Google personal assistant will execute several tasks at once. As of now, six conventional Google Assistant Routines will get you through the day.
Okay Google, let’s do it!!!
Step 1: Launch the Google Home app and press the Account icon located at the bottom right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.
Tap on Routines from the Assistant tab.
Step 2: From here, you can tap the Plus sign located at the bottom left corner for creating a new routine or you can simply choose Google’s pre-existing routines.
(Google’s pre-existing routines – Google Assistant is going to execute these actions when you say “Hey Google, Bed time”.)
I am going to create a new routine by tap on the Plus sign.
Tap on Add commands to choose the routine activation phrase you wish to use. You can choose any like What’s up, Good Morning, What’s My Schedule, etc. You can add more than 1 phrase. Google Assistant will execute the actions when she hears either one.
Next, tap on Set a time and day to schedule your routine (Optional). Then, select the time and day you want that particular routine to be activated. Google Assistant will execute your actions even she doesn’t need to hear command from you.
Step 3: In this step, you are going to tell Google Assistant what she need to do when your trigger is activated. Tap on Add action below My Assistant should …
Enter what the Google Assistant should do. You can custom by adding any Google Assistant command.
Or you can choose the popular actions.
Step 4: In the end, you can tell your “cute” Assistant play some media (Music, News, Radio, Podcasts, or even Sleep Sounds). I always select Sleep Sounds in my “Bedtime Routine“. It helps me relax and fall to sleep.
Final Thoughts
I hope that this ultimate Alexa & Google Assistant Routine guide help you with setting up your smart home assistant with ease. There is a lot that Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home can perform to make your life simpler.
If you have any queries regarding the methods we mentioned or you want to know more about routines, tell me know in the comment section below.
The post How to Create an Alexa & Google Assistant Routine? (Updated 10/2018 – New UI) appeared first on Caveman's Home.
Source: Caveman's Home
How to Choose the Right DIY Home Automation System
First of all, let me preface this by saying there is no right or wrong way to set up a DIY home automation system. However, chances are there is a system that’s right for you. My goal here is show you several of the options available. With that information and your own understanding of your needs, you can make the best choice.
Why You Need a Smart Home Hub
Before getting too excited about any one suggestion I make, I would recommend that you take a moment and think about how tech savvy you are, and the amount of time and/or frustration you want to give to this project. You could waste a lot of money if you go down the wrong path.
At the core of your system you’ll need a hub. A hub can be a piece of hardware or it can be a software platform that you’d run from your computer or phone/tablet. All your components—things like smart locks, light switches and more—will branch off from the hub, and communicate with it.
Which brings us to compatibility. There are several unique languages or protocols these devices communicate with. You need a common language through all your devices. Examples are Z-Wave, ZigBee, WiFi and more.
Bear in mind, in most cases, who manufactures a device is often irrelevant. As long as any two devices share the same protocol, they should communicate with each other.
Home Automation System Hubs (Smart Home Hub)
Amazon Echo-Plus w/ Built in Hub
I know you’ve heard of Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. The integrated hub allows you to start building your smart home/home automation system with simplicity. This is a ZigBee hub, and will allow you to add an array of devices which you can control with your voice. Once you’ve installed your devices, say, “Alexa, discover my devices, and you’re done.” You can’t get much easier than that.
The Echo-Plus retails for US$199.99.
Samsung SmartThings
Samsung calls this hub “the brain of your smart home.” Unlike the Echo Hub, this one communicates using Z-Wave. If you want to control your home with voice, you can use any of the Echo or Google Home devices. If voice isn’t your thing—yet—you can also download an app for your phone.
As far as connected devices go, there is a wide range of compatibility, and Samsung provides an exhaustive list of compatible items on their website. Note these aren’t necessarily Samsung manufactured devices. The Smart Things hub communicates with devices that have the right protocol, in this case Z-Wave, and a number of other technical requirements.
For example, Ecobee4 smart thermostat are Samsung SmartThings compatible. Philips Hue Lights also are compatible as well. However, you need the Hue Bridge to make sure Philips Hue Lights work well with Samsung SmartThings – Keep reading to see the reasons below.
The Wink Hub 2
The new Wink Hub offers something the above mentioned hubs don’t, and it could be a game changer. Keeping in mind the fact other hubs only communicate using one specific protocol or language, the 2nd generation Wink has broader capabilities. It will support Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, Z-Wave and several other protocols, meaning it can control far more devices. This hub is designed with you in mind, the average consumer. Setup is easy, as it will auto discover all your devices.
The Wink Hub 2 retails for US$99.00.
The above mentioned hubs are simple to use and simple to set up. Perfect for someone just beginning to dabble in home automation who isn’t a tech geek.
If you are a tech geek, read on.
Home Assistant and a Raspberry Pi
If you think I’m talking about dessert, you should probably just skip this section. If you know what I’m talking about, proceed. Home Assistant is an open source program that will run on most operating systems. Think of it as a control center that allows you to track and automate all your devices. Using something called Hass.io, Home Assistant can be run on a Raspberry Pi instead of a computer OS.
Home Assistant is not for the faint of heart. It has a huge learning curve, but once you figure it out, it’s a significantly more robust way of automating your home than any of the above mentioned options.
Home Assistant can be downloaded for free.
Home Automation Devices
Now that you understand the foundation of a home automation system, what sort of devices can you add to it? Well, the sky is pretty much the limit.
Cameras & Doorbells
Whether you’re thinking about outdoor or indoor home security, there are several smart cameras you can choose from. There are the Ring and Nest Hello Doorbells and a variety of Netgear cameras. However, I need to point out that for these, and any of the following devices, you’ll need to check on which hubs they’re compatible with. If you’re going the Home Assistant route, it’s pretty much compatible with everything.
Door Locks
(Via: www.digitaltrends.com)
Most of the bigger manufacturers of traditional door locks now have smart locks. Schlage and Yale locks are two that are worth looking into. The August Smart Lock is another favorite. It locks as you leave and unlocks when you arrive. Imagine not having to struggle with a key when your hands are full of groceries or a sleeping child.
Interior/Exterior Lighting
Let Hue Lights color your world. These lights will require a Hue Bridge. The lights communicate with the Bridge and the Bridge communicates with your hub. You have a huge selection of options with Hue and can set up a variety of scenes. Your lights can be controlled either by voice—assuming you have some sort of voice assistant component in your system—or with an app on your phone.
However, as I mentioned above, 2 devices can communicate with each other, if they speak the same protocol. Using the Samsung SmartThings or Echo Plus as a Zigbee hub meant that once the bulbs were screwed in, they could be discovered and added within the SmartThings app or Alexa app. No need for the Hue Bridge.
But wait a minute!!! Are the any problems or risk when you try to do that?
The answer is YES!!!
Unique Functionality. The Hue Bridge provides a lot of additional functionality you may want to take advantage of (such as the native scenes, groups, schedules, rules, etc.) that you cannot get without it.
Not Using the Bridge Can Mess Up Your Zigbee Network. The most important is that adding Hue bulbs directly to your SmartThings hub will cause the bulbs to be identified as repeaters for your other Zigbee devices. It means you have possibility of lost messages from these devices.
Moreover, there is literally no way to reset your Hue bulbs if you decide you want to move them to a bridge later or even another SmartThings hub.
Support From Phillips and Samsung. If you do have above problems, Phillips and Samsung are not going to help you because both they said, the official integration between Hue and SmartThings requires that the bulbs be connected to the Hue bridge, not directly to the SmartThings hub.
The safest and easiest way is just to buy a starter kit with the bridge from Hue Philips. Follow the directions to add the bulbs to the bridge, then follow the directions to add a bridge to your SmartThings account and you will be all set.
Thermostats
Smart thermostats can take home comfort to a whole new level. They can also help conserve energy and ultimately save you money. By using room sensors, you also have the ability to adjust temperatures room by room. Simply place the sensors about the home, and then tell the system where to prioritize your heating or cooling.
Hopefully, some of this info will help you in making a decision when it comes time to set up your home automation system. The market is full of choices, and more are being added all the time. How much money you have to spend, how much time you want to spend, and the depth of your tech knowledge should all be given some consideration before you make your choice. Also, in line with the fact that more devices are being added all the time, it’s a good idea to start with a system you can build upon.
The post How to Choose the Right DIY Home Automation System appeared first on Caveman's Home.
Source: Caveman's Home
Super 7 Benefits of Home Automation
We are in a time where technology has taken a rapid rise. Everything is available to use on our fingertips which made the life convenient and easy. Isn’t it amazing that we are fortunate to live in such time where life is fast-paced.
There have been striking changes in technology, and among all, the top one has been home automation. The homeowners get to operate their house through the remote, iPad or even smartphone. How incredible can it get further? You will be able to find all here by knowing the benefits of home automation.
1. Brings Safety to the House
Home automation brings safety to the house primarily. You can have control of the lightings and appliances of the house. Even if you are not present at the house, you can use the smartphone to control the functions of the house. In just a little time, this technology will become your favorite. You can always keep a check whether the appliances are turned off even if you are sitting in the office.
Another advantage to this is that it can save electricity bills for your house. Mistakenly, if you forget to turn off the lights when you step out of the house, you can do that by just accessing it through your phone instantly.
2. Automatic Door Locks
One of the best benefits among all for the home automation is getting the door locked automatically. How often has it happened that you left the house without locking the door immediately and then recall that moment? You get panicked that whether you have locked the door or not. Well, now the time for panic is over because of home automation. It will not only ease the mind, but also just one tap on the smartphone will lock the automated doors.
Maybe sometimes you would have to step out of the house before the kids, and we know that kids do not care much about locking the doors. You can check on it after they leave and lock the doors directly from your phone to keep the house safe. The situation of the house stays in control no matter where you are through the smartphone connection and automation. The amazing thing about it is that you get the auto alerts on your phone whenever someone goes out or comes in the house.
3. Security Cameras
Another great aspect of home automatic is that you can view the happenings around your house even when you are not present there. Suppose you are on vacation but worried about the house at the back of your head?
Well, no more because the security cameras provide you access on your device. You can view the live and recordings around your house to make sure that everything is safe and sound. The movements get recorded every time to provide the safety for your house and family.
4. Temperature Adjustments Convenience
It can be possible that you forget to turn off the thermostat while leaving for work at mornings. It would be turned on for the entire day uselessly so amazingly you can handle it through your phone screen. You can only turn it on when you sit in the car to drive back to the house. It will keep the house cozy before you reach. You can turn it on/off and also control the temperature conveniently. It saves energy and proves to be cost effective too.
5. Saves Time for You
No doubt that time keeps us busy more than earlier times. You have to be at places even after daily routine work, but the to-do list never ends. Well, the high technology saves your time actively, so you do not have to run back to the house which can consume your time. It increases your productivity because you tend to worry less about the house when you are away and is time efficient.
6. Easy on the Pocket & Convenient
The use of home automation goes easy on the pocket by saving you money on the utility bills. When you are not using the appliances, you can turn them off. It is convenient to save bill payments and useless energy wastage which can work in the benefit of the environment as well. The costs will be low without any extra effort when you have the controls over your fingertips.
It also brings peace to mind who are always concerned about what would be going on to the house when they are away. Each day you leave the house for work or school which may leave you obsessive about it. It can add up to the stress of life which you do not want. Well, with the help of home automation at least one thing out of so many worries will be out of the list.
7. Contribution to the Economy
You can add your contributions to the economy through home automation by going green. We usually do not think this way, but little things matter and play a huge impact on the environment. If you think for the benefit of the environment, you will certainly want to ensure that the lights are off when you are not present in a certain room of the house. Most of the times, out of laziness we do not get up to turn off the lights, but with the help of one tap on the screen, the things have become easy for you now.
Final Thoughts
So are you thinking to get home automation at your place? These benefits of home automation will surely convince you to do so in the upcoming weeks. This is one high tech which will not get out of your head unless you implement it on your house.
The amazing #1 benefit related to the safety of the house is the prior reason why people have to dwell towards it. Knowing the benefits allows you to create the room of change around you which can improve your lifestyle.
If you want to add more to this article, feel free to share your comments below.
The post Super 7 Benefits of Home Automation appeared first on Caveman's Home.
Source: Caveman's Home
