I have been working on Home Control with some Automation over the holidays. Even though it's not prime time yet, it's pretty neat yet frustrating. There is so much potential but no common protocols so you have to be careful on what you get. So far I have 30 lights or so(multi-colored bulbs) a thermostat, door locks, electric fireplace insert, all my Audio and Video gear, ceiling fans, garage door control and a vacuum. It's being controlled mainly by Eco Dot but the harmony and 2 other hubs are involved. I tried the Google Mini but it was worse than the Dot.
My favorite part is the Vacuum which I figured couldn't replace a real vacuum but now I think it can(I am on my 3rd one as I started cheap, then got a mid level one and now a top of the line one.
When I leave my house in the mornings, my TV, AVR, SAT box, amps, fireplace and ceiling fan turn off, my lights dim to 20% and some are set to go off and my vacuum begins to clean my house. Once I arrive back within my geo-fence, everything tuns back on.
When I awaken I say Alexa good morning and she turns on my lights, turns on the news, fires up the fireplace and reads me the weather report for my area.
Tell her movie night and the lights go dim, NetFlix or Amazon starts and the fireplace comes on.
Plus Alexa can fart which is always funny.....
