techmoan

Smart Home WiFi Plug (socket) (Patreon)

Published:

2017-06-13 12:40:05

Edited:

2017-06-16 14:17:06

Imported:

2021-02

Content

In this video I set-up a voice controlled smart plug...and while this is something that has been possible for a while now, I wanted to show that it's become simple enough for anyone to do it.

Home automation has been around for decades with the X10 systems first appearing in the late 1970s, but it’s really only been in the last year or so that I've become interested because of the ability to control devices with voice commands through an Amazon Echo. I’ve no desire to use a smartphone app to turn on a light…I’d rather get up and press a light switch, but voice control gives me that feeling of living in a 1980s science fiction movie.

The thing that attracts me to the TP Link plug I feature in this video is that it’s a sensible price and doesn’t require the additional expense of a ‘smart hub’. It’s the kind of thing you can buy on its own without committing to a specific ‘smart home ecosystem’ and if it does turn out to be useful, it's easy to expand the system at a later date as funds allow.

I hope you like this rather simple video and as always thanks for your continued support.

End Credits & Name Shuffling

I'd better mention that if your name appears in the end credits and someone next to you decides to drop out, your name might be centred on the line for a couple of videos and then move further down when another gap opens up nearby. I really never expected more than perhaps a dozen people to opt for this option, so I need to to keep it as concise as possible to fit over the outro video , I trust you understand.

UPDATE: The previously uploaded version of this video generated a lot of animosity on youtube regarding the use of an Amazon Echo so I took it down, did a minor edit and re-uploaded it. I left this one unlisted so as not to agitate the subscribers who had already received a notification for the earlier upload. It's now only visible here on Patreon & Techmoan.com

UPDATE 2: I can't really afford to lose a full week's work, so I've made a more comprehensive edit by adding a disclaimer at the beginning and I'm going to give it one more shot as a public video. Apologies if it turns up in your feeds again, youtube won't let me set a video as public without simultaneously announcing it to the world. This should happen later today (Friday 16th June).

I'll have a brand new video for you in a few days. It's another forgotten format.

Files

Simple ECHO Voice Control SMART PLUG from TP-Link

***This video has been re-uploaded with a new disclaimer at the beginning which was added to provide the opportunity to quit playback for any viewers who object to seeing an Amazon Echo being used*** (Expand text box to read more.....) DESCRIPTION: TP-Link HS100 Voice activated Smart plugs have proved useful for me in utilising the power sockets in my house that are otherwise inaccessible. Smart plugs have been on the market for quite some time now - but in recent months the prices have reduced significantly and in this video I demonstrate they are now so quick and easy to set-up, almost anyone can do it. The videos on this channel are aimed at the average chap in the street - they are not intended for experts who already know all this stuff backwards. I like to make videos that my dad can follow. Purchasing a TP Link SMART WiFi PLUG Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2qFRnff Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2qAhFEJ Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2qFGaLG Echo Dot: Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2sU50Kg Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2rawNVw ----The basic RF remote control socket I show at the beginning can also be found on Amazon--- UK: http://amzn.to/2rn4QJp US: http://amzn.to/2seM1fx CA: http://amzn.to/2stBu0s FAQs Q) Why didn't you use the Belkin Wemo with the Echo A) I wanted to try a new cheaper and smaller plug instead and then once I'd got it working I wanted to buy more of the same model to keep them in the same eco-system. I have also heard quite a few reports regarding general unreliability of the Wemo - disconnections etc. However if it works for you that's great..you should always do whatever makes you happy. Q) Will this work with Google Home A) Yes - I have been advised that it works fine Q) Will this plug work with Apple Homekit A) No - it does not support Homekit. Answers to questions like these can be found on the TP-link website here https://www.smarthomedb.com/product/tp-link-wi-fi-smart-plug/faq/p1118/does-the-tp-link-wi-fi-smart-plug-support-homekit-connectivity/q45381 Q) What is the fancy clock in the background at the beginning? A) This - https://youtu.be/aEIhc-2vmIM but most people don't want to buy one when you see the price. -------------SUPPORT--------------- This channel can be supported through Patreon https://www.patreon.com/techmoan Patrons usually have early access to videos ---------------SUBSCRIBE------------------ http://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan?sub_confirmation=1 -------THANKS TO ------- Jerobeam Fenderson for the intro animation: http://oscilloscopemusic.com/ ----------Outro Music----------- Over Time - Vibe Tracks https://youtu.be/VSSswVZSgJw ------Outro Sound Effect------ ThatSFXGuy - https://youtu.be/5M3-ZV5-QDM