Wednesday 10^th October 2018

Smart Home Devices

Many devices are now available which can connect to the Internet, allowing them to be operated remotely using your mobile phone or tablet.  These include:-

• Central heating thermostats
• Security cameras
• Switches and plugs which can control lights or other appliances
• Light bulbs which can dim or change colour
• Smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod
• Smart appliances including Fridges, Ovens, etc

You can search for articles on the Internet about smart home devices such as this:-

https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/smart-home-devices

Smart speakers, such as the Amazon Echo can link to most other smart devices, enabling you to control them with voice commands. By voice command, you can perform a whole range of tasks, such as:-

• Asking about the weather.
• Asking for the latest news.
• Asking Alexa to tell you a joke.
• Switching on/off lights or other appliances.
• Setting alarms and reminders.
• Setting your central heating thermostat temperature.
• Play radio channels of your choice.
• Play music, perhaps from a streaming service such as Spotify.
• Call other Echo users - if both ends have a Spot or Show, this can be a video call.

The Echo/Alexa device can only recognise the 'trigger word' (usually Alexa for the Echo devices). It then connects to the Internet (by wi-fi) and your voice pattern is analysed and the response created by powerful computers 'in the cloud'.

Using a TP-Link smartplug, I was also able to demonstrate the Echo turning a light on and off.

We also mentioned the Ring Video Doorbell, which has a camera and microphone, enabling you to see and speak to someone at your door, wherever you happen to be. You can find more details on the Ring site:-

https://en-uk.ring.com/

Smart central heating thermostats include:-

The Hive - https://www.hivehome.com/products/hive-active-heating

The Nest - https://nest.com/uk/thermostats/nest-learning-thermostat/overview/

It is possible to control your TV from an Amazon Echo by using a device such as the Logitech Harmony. For more on this see:-

https://www.androidcentral.com/how-control-your-tv-amazon-echo

For more details on using Echo devices for calling and messaging, see:-

https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/amazon/140981-amazon-alexa-calling-and-messaging-what-is-it-how-does-it-work-and-where-can-you-use-it

Windows 10 Version 1809

Version 1809 of Windows 10 was released on 2^nd October 2018. However, on 6^th October the release was paused due to problems, in particular some users found it deleted everything in their Documents folder! Today, Microsoft have announced that they understand the problem and will be re-releasing a corrected version in the near future. They also hope to improve the way they collect feedback to try to avoid errors of this serious nature occurring again.

A new version of my Windows 10 – In-Depth Guide covering version 1809 can be found at:-

bit.ly/CE-Windows10 [case sensitive].

Next Session

Wed 14^th November 2018 1:30 to 3:30pm.

Topics:-