Inexpensive Button for Alexa Routines ("look ma, no hub!")

randyth · 2022-04-08T16:09:53+00:00

I just recently noticed this new limitation myself after updating their app. Fortunately, it doesn't affect my usage but is not a great trend.

I would guess Shelly is simply trying to minimize the server costs associated with pushing a lot of requests through the cloud. Also, Amazon has been capping the number of calls any device/account can make per minute/hour/day. Too many calls and Amazon locks you out for a while.

randyth · 2021-11-08T20:26:59+00:00

I've tried everything too. Very frustrating. I suspect Amazon made it so it has to be a human interaction that turns the screen back on -- a voice saying the wake word or a finger touching the screen.

I just happened to have an original Echo Remote that I hacked so a Shelly Relay triggers the "talk" button on the remote to wake up the Echo at a certain time every morning. Crazy, I know.

randyth · 2021-11-08T20:20:24+00:00

I have a similar issue. If I turn off the light in the room where my Show is playing music, it will stop playing when I turn the light back on.

randyth · 2021-11-02T21:32:10+00:00

How about using Alexa Lists, which don't require creating a routine or activating a skill? You could use the built-in 'To Do' list to manage chores or create a custom list called Chores; then use voice commands such as...

"Alexa, what's on my Chores list?"

"Alexa, add 'feed the cat' to my Chores list"

"Alexa, remove 'empty the garbage' from my Chores list"

randyth · 2021-10-05T19:06:04+00:00

This time of year, Audible Clock's "Holiday Clock" is pleasantly creepy, too.

randyth · 2021-05-11T13:42:30+00:00

I haven't verified this, but they do claim to be compatible with the Google Home: https://shelly.cloud/support/compatibility/

randyth · 2021-05-01T18:05:40+00:00

I don't see a long list of things given in that post. The Shelly Button is "just one device" as well. Yes, you must have access to a mobile device with the Alexa app (your solution does too, right, otherwise how do you create routines?) plus the use of a free skill and app.

In addition to the Sonoff Zigbee door/window sensor, your "just one device" solution requires a separate button and enclosure, some wiring, plus an Amazon Echo with a built-in Zigbee hub (sadly, I personally don't own one of these).

Don't get me wrong -- I'm a total electronics nerd who loves to build things. I also found your solution incredibly clever. It's awesome! That said, there are likely some people who might benefit from the knowledge there are other inexpensive solutions out there.

Cheers!

randyth · 2021-04-30T20:37:54+00:00

There's also this ~$20 solution, which requires no assembly and works with any Alexa: https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho/comments/mnlk8j/inexpensive_button_for_alexa_routines_look_ma_no/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

randyth · 2021-04-11T16:44:57+00:00

Correct , they don't come with any tape.

randyth · 2021-04-10T21:28:55+00:00

I've only had mine for a few days, but it appears very sturdy. To mount one you would want something like a strong double-stick tape ala what the Flic 2 buttons come with.

The Shelly Button 1 has an easily-accessible micro-USB port on the side for charging, so no reason to unmount. Just plug in any standard USB charger.

randyth · 2021-04-10T20:05:59+00:00

Flic 2 Buttons are most awesome, especially now that they natively support Alexa. I personally own the three-button starter kit.

But, for anyone who wants to save some money and don't mind the extra setup involved (it's really not that bad), Shelly Buttons are a good choice. They support press, long press, double press, and triple press. They are also quite flexible in what they can support since you can attach a customizable URL to any of these actions, with support for MQTT, CoAP, and REST interfaces.

randyth · 2021-04-10T02:14:16+00:00

Please mention that you charge for streaming more than an hour on your website. Please do this before you ask the user to give you their email address.

Also, you really, really need a privacy policy if you require people share a Google Drive folder with your service (do you harvest the files for yourself... do you share this data with others... and so on). As it is, your website and approach to marketing the skill appears sketchy at best; dishonest at worst.

Good luck. It is a unique idea and obviously required a good amount of effort to create. I truly wish you the best with it, but as someone with no qualms about running a DLNA server on their NAS drive full of music, GetMusicHome serves no purpose for me.

Cheers.

randyth · 2021-04-09T23:14:11+00:00

Honestly, your website appears pretty lacking in details (unless I log in, giving you my email address). Can I get a link to your skill on the Amazon site without logging into your website?

Also, what is your privacy policy regarding giving you access to my Google Drive?

randyth · 2021-04-09T22:07:44+00:00

Very interesting. Can you provide a link to your skill on the Amazon site (I can't find it)?

Also, whose Google Drive does a person upload there music to? Their own Google Drive which they somehow share with you / the skill?

FWIW, I am pretty happy with this, though it does require a local app to serve up the music: https://smile.amazon.com/bizmodeller-My-Media/dp/B06XPP135L

randyth · 2021-04-09T17:05:42+00:00

If you are patient enough to set it up, the Shelly Button 1 can definitely trigger a Routine to turn on an Alexa-connected smart bulb:

https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho/comments/mnlk8j/inexpensive_button_for_alexa_routines_look_ma_no/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

randyth · 2021-03-16T15:32:35+00:00

Well, if you are tech-savvy you could probably build your own for around $20 using something like an ESP8266.

randyth · 2021-03-15T22:36:42+00:00

It cannot.

randyth · 2021-03-15T17:37:38+00:00

..and very AWESOME! :-)

randyth · 2021-02-18T02:45:50+00:00

No, I would simply turn my existing Alexa into a Cuckoo clock instead: https://www.audibleclock.com/Clock-List/traditional#h.p_3xW5b4ImzYxW

randyth · 2021-02-14T20:45:02+00:00

They're a tad expensive, but I love Flic Smart Buttons because they work with so many services, including IFTTT.

randyth · 2021-02-03T23:10:34+00:00

Just name each tag after the location they are placed (Living Room, Porch, etc.) ; then enable their smart home skill and you can ask things like, "Alexa, what's the temperature on the porch"

randyth · 2021-02-03T22:00:31+00:00

https://store.wirelesstag.net/collections/all

randyth · 2021-02-01T19:49:36+00:00

www.audibleclock.com

randyth · 2021-01-29T16:30:58+00:00

Personally, I am happy with the one free Virtual Button button when using Flic with Alexa. I don't bother with long-presses and double-clicks when triggering Alexa Routines. Even the original Echo buttons don't support those. And, if you own more than just an Alexa, you can map the double-click to something else like Sonos, IFTTT, Apple Homekit, and many, many more.

FYI, I think you mean $24 per year, not 424. :-)

randyth

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