Just ordered one of these from AMAZON for delivery in Feb.
$49 with free delivery seemed like a great deal direct from AMAZON AU
EDIT - Seems like you can also get 2 for $79
Cheers,
Matt
CamelCamelCamel.
Each one has different uses. I've got 3x echo dots and 3x google home mini's plus 2x Google homes. All depends if you are into home automation - Echo dots are the way to go soon as you steer away from retail solutions. Check whats supported by each assistant.
I’m curious on what home automation that dot can do but mini can’t in Aus? Thanks
I run OpenHAB2 with HABridge which is basically emulation of devices that Alexa picks up. Means I can make up objects and have alexa send commands to Node-RED that I can then interpret how I want. I.e I get a response from alexa that is either On, Off or a 0-100 value when dimming.
@voldemort: yeah, Wemo's now require account login with Belkin, and Phillips hue is all good on GH. Custom stuff or emulated really needs the Echo
@trielement: Oh, Xiaomi stuff. Cool, hows it go? All of my gear id reflashed and running off MQTT though but voice only control seems interesting for some things.
@sjp770: Worked really well. I've used TP-link and Orvibo smart sockets (Cheap as) and I've got Control4 Home automation (Expensive as!)
@sjp770: do you need to know code to get into this or is it a simple tutorial type thing? Sounds interesting but when I hear statements like what you just made my head starts to hurt :p
The Alexa skill for Vera is pretty straight forward, in GH you will need a PC running 24x7 and require java. And spoken commands have to be proxied
Why is voldemort interested in home automation devices? He should be able to do all this and more with his spells. Or has he lost his touch?
Almost! The skill has been submitted and being reviewed by Google.
Edit: Refering to Google + Openhab2
@ninjataki: If you want to get started look at getting a raspberry pi, installing http://thethingbox.io and look at node RED. From there you can add OpenHAB or HomeAutomation. But yes, fairly complex.
@Snax912: Got a link? If Google worked as well as Alexa i'd probably ditch alexa - Chromecasts are just too good plus the google music sub gets rid of youtube ads
@sjp770:
It was submitted in Nov I believe, and the creator mentioned 2 weeks ago that Google requested a video call and further info for them to setup a test openhab rig. Hopefully it's not too far away.
https://community.openhab.org/t/google-home-actions-api-now-…
That's a lot of power points
Ive got 26x lights controlled by voice, most dimmable downlights. Outdoor lighting such as carport / driveway lights all hooked up. Good to be able to ask a voice assistant from anywhere in the house.
@sjp770: how do you go with naming everything? I have your trouble remembering all the names and I have 7 devices
@MikeKulls: Bedroom Light, Lounge room Light, Hallway Light, Entry Light, Front Light, Porch Lights, BBQ Area, Back Light, Yard Lights, Outside Light, Carport Light, Driveway Light, Dads Light (my room), Dads Lamp, Mums Lamp, Lounge room Lamp, Laundry Lights, Laundry lamp, Dads Amplifier, Dads TV, TV (main one), Kitchen Lights, (Sons Name) Room light / lamp. Still need to get RF working for the three ceiling fans.. other bits and pieces I cant think of now. Plus all the google home speakers / chromecasts / chromecast audios.
You can also add two names through Alexa's app - so if you and your partnet call the same room something different, no probs. Also groups like all lights / all outside lights.
@sjp770: it gets complicated though. All lights could turn off all lights on the person in the garage for example. Or you dad gets a second Stereo in the garage. Did you call it porch light or front light etc.
@MikeKulls: Nah, All lights is for leaving the house or night time only. Or maybe emergency. Its my house so a bit easier when thinking about who is where.
You can run both, and siri if you feel like it
Was just about to add this - I've also got a $20 credit from an order that didn't go through - so $59 for 2 for me :)
How do these compare with the GHM?
Basically same, depends which company's eco system you prefer. IMHO.
Main draw card for me is that this will work with my existing Bluetooth speakers ,without having to buy a Chromecast audio… Unfortunately I already got the Google home mini
Quality hotel that
The Chedi Andermatt, ooo I like.
Also depends on whether you prefer to talk to a product (Okay Google) or to a person (Alexa) :)
Hey Google works too - hardly ever use OK. Alexa is much nicer though.
Google home mini cannot make phone calls :(
Yes it can. At least in the USA it does.
There's quite a few things my Australian Google Home mini cannot do, that web searches imply work in the USA, including:
* Send email
* Play musical chairs
* tell the kids a bed-time story
* make phone calls
There's also stuff that I would have assumed it can do, but seemingly cannot in any region, like:
* Add items to my google task list
So these would be compared to your Google Home Mini.
Showing 2 for $98
Add it to cart and $19 credit is auto applied!
Thanks
Thanks
I just got 2 for $79, but delivery was $5.99.
Change to free delivery - $5.99 just means it will arrive faster!
Look in the bottom right hand corner of your order page and select Delivery Speed
You can go back in and amend your order if you need to :)
Thanks guys. I didn't notice this. Ordered this quickly through my phone during work. Oh well, you're right - faster delivery at least.
Amazon usually allows cancellations until shipping time. Given these are a pre order I assume that’s an option.
You can adjust it still :)
This item cannot be delivered to New Zealand.
So much for Amazon support over here
They already have a little trouble with the Aussie accent, good luck!
Although with an official launch I hope they've been working on it.
Did you go to Amazun.com ;)
I thought it was .cum
DONT CLICK THE LINK (nsfw)
Is the android app available yet to aussies? Cant see it on the play store
Eager to find that out too. I have been using their portal to control for ages and that is a bit irritating.
Nah that one can't be used to view your echo. Its purely for shopping purpose.
I guess it's a bit irrelevant now but you can find the US APK online on Aptoide or simmilar. I've used it for years without issue.
Alexa, what is love?
Something you don't have
Mr Robot
Alexa, don't hurt me
I've had the original Echo for 2+ years, and without a cloud service in Australia (App) to support it, the device remained a very expensive wireless speaker. They still have no battery capacity and must be plugged in at all time.
Hopefully the release of the Dot will force Amazon to release Australian cloud support for the devices. Still not sure I'd crank out the Echo anytime fast though.
Why didn't you just install the US app?
DUPE
I own both Google (Home and Mini) and Alexa (dot and echo2). The google platform just works (far) better than Amazon for me. The things it does, it’s voice recognition & accuracy make it much better.
My pic of the bunch, google Mini, it’s excellent
Sillly question, but can these be used just as a Bluetooth speaker for my iPad?
I dont think so - sorry!
Yes, they can. It's probably a bit overpriced as just a speaker though.
Yes, both Echo and Google Home can be used like this.
Yes, but the speaker in the Dot is very tiny and tinny. It's really only designed for voice rather than music and you almost certainly will be disappointed if that's what you're using it for.
The regular Echo and Echo Plus both sound pretty good though.
Yeah that was the idea, buy the better ones as Bluetooth speakers now and later use them for Amazon stuff when I join Prime.
I use 3 Echo Dot's for a couple of years now and they integrate very well with my Vera, Lifx and Wemo for dictated home automation, this will be awesome if the cloud service will now be localized for Australia.
I use a couple of Home Mini's just because it is localized and works well for weather, scheduling and find my android phone.
I can see Australia is now available as a region in the App but it won't switch for me yet.
I've just changed the location on my dot and I'm getting localized weather and traffic.
awesome.. can't wait to get home.. I was looking forward to my US trip in March to update the Alexa App.. now not as much… buying 2 more, Alexa will only be outnumbered for a short while since receiving 3 Free GHM from Woolies.
did you have to de-register to change location? mine is saying unable to save the settings in the app. Or maybe it needs to be in the home wifi where the Echo's are.
@jelicano: I just did it thru the app, make sure your app is updated (Apple us store). Then go to settings -> "your echo" name ->Device location. Done
Anyone know whether it is ok to use local credit card on Amazon Australia, meaning we won't get charge international transaction fee (on the card that charged them)?
yes, they're a proper Australian operation, with Australian CC processing and everything.
Thank you @Jakal…
The link to buy 2 only opens the Terms and Conditions.. is there any other way to get the buy 2 promo?
Just add them to your cart - does it automagically! :)
"At checkout" as per the special deal text. Might need to take that extra click to see the discount.
Works out to be $59 if you got the $20 credit from the amazon wipes deal
My $50 amazon credit from the logitech speaker price error finally have a use
I was patiently waiting to use that voucher and i think it paid off on this one
Thanks amazon for the $50 voucher after this day 1 error https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/347227
worked out at 2 dots for $29 delivered.
This article from Trevor Long is interesting. Supposedly, both the Alexa and GH are always listening for their respective trigger (Alexa or Hey Google), unless you mute the microphones. This apparently works on the Alexa, but when he says "Hey Google" 3 or 4 times to a muted GH, it responds with "I think the microphone is muted"!
lol. that's like a kid trying to pretend he can't hear you..
Lol, if google wants to listen to me arguing with the mrs, thats fine by me. They can finally hear what i have to put up with
You can mute the microphone but what is the point in that?
I have Yeelights and the Xiaomi Gateway, all connected to the China server (= they won’t work on Google Home now).
Does anyone know if the Xiaomi Gateway works with the Amazon Echo?
I don't have any yeelight, but I did order the mijia bedside lamp and waiting for it. Apparently they work only when connected to Singapore server. Have yet to test it out myself but on the amazon alexa app, under smart home> smart home skills, I found both Mi (asia) and Yeelight. They both say switch to SG server to work though.
damn ! why did i bite the google home deal in january :(