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Recently I got Alexa, and my relatives are stoked! They like being about to make phone calls by saying, "Alexa, call Priya". And I set up intercom system so they can simply drop in and vice versa, i.e. "Alexa, drop in Kitchen"
Now, I am looking to get smart bulbs. One uncle (nearly 80) deals with lot of pain (Doctors can only do so much). How easy would it be if he can say, "Alexa, turn on light"
I wish to purchase one bulb at a time to test it out myself first. Amazon shows bulbs with hub, without hub, but I am not understanding the difference.
Can anyone guide me. Have any of you set up smart devices for Seasoned Citizens? Or maybe the Seasoned Citizens can shed some light (pun unintended).
For a moment I thought smart bulbs are bulbs that will plant itself. Lol, I have garden on my brain. Btw, my daffodils are peaking, now that’s exciting.
Recently I got Alexa, and my relatives are stoked! They like being about to make phone calls by saying, "Alexa, call Priya". And I set up intercom system so they can simply drop in and vice versa, i.e. "Alexa, drop in Kitchen"
Now, I am looking to get smart bulbs. One uncle (nearly 80) deals with lot of pain (Doctors can only do so much). How easy would it be if he can say, "Alexa, turn on light"
I wish to purchase one bulb at a time to test it out myself first. Amazon shows bulbs with hub, without hub, but I am not understanding the difference.
Can anyone guide me. Have any of you set up smart devices for Seasoned Citizens? Or maybe the Seasoned Citizens can shed some light (pun unintended).
I bought my son a LIFX bulb, and he loves it. He uses his phone to schedule the off/on times, as he does not have any Alexa devices. After visiting him and seeing the light in his bedroom, I decided I wanted my own ( i much prefer cool lights rather than warm) so I bought two of the LIFX mini bulbs. They do not require a hub - they work directly with your phone app, and can hook up to Alexa. I have several lights in my home that are connected to smart-outlets, and I turn them, and my LIFX bulbs off, with my voice. It is very handy.
My sister bought the Philips HUE bulb, which requires a $60 hub, and was unable to get it set up. She finally gave up and bought an LIFX bulb, and she is quite happy with it.
I set my 90 year old parents up with an echo, and several light bulbs. No hub needed, echo has a built in hub. I do have a vague recollection that if you have a separate hub, other than echo, you can do more things with the bulbs, like change colors, but we didn’t need or want that. Echo’s built in hub coordinates with this bulb to turn off and on and to dim or brighten. Also got them a smart plug so they can order echo to turn the living room tower fan off and on. They get the weather, sports scores, and classical music. They have a fire tv, so can command echo to do a lot of tv functions. And as you said, it’s a great safety thing that all they have to do to telephone me or their assisted living staff is call out an order to make the call.
Im gonna start using it if the OP doesn't mind....
I wont have an alexa or anyting like it but i do admit that turning on/off lights would be nice.
But i have a solution for that. At Christmas time walmart and other sell a set of 3 remote controlled light device. You have a key chain like fob that will control 3 plug in lights via a plugin device you plug the lamps into. I have 3 set up in my bonus room, with my indoor garden of tropical and other plants. The 3 control 7 plant lights. I can turn on/off all the plant lights from my easy sofa out there. It was $19.99 i think, has 1 controller, and 3 plug devices. Ideally you plug in your outside or inside Christmas lights with it so you can turn them on/off from the central controller fob.
Its probably available on amazon, or something like it. Its not voice activated though. You have to push an on or off button. I bought mine 50% off just after Christmas.
Amazon has a Dewenwills outdoor indoor controller fir $29.99. I looked it up.
We have internet capable bulbs in wide use at both places. In fact we have 22 total smart bulbs and outlets. Just looked at the Kasa App and counted them. Can turn them on off with the App. Can set them on timers to turn on at set times or on with a duration for how long to stay on. Great for security. Also the three HVAC systems have smart thermostats love them all.
I have tried to seduce her and she is strong willed.
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