Alexa Welcome home message – A How to guide

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Broadlink have finally released their Global Alexa Skill AND one other REALLY exciting surprise!

***Update I’m hearing reports that this isn’t working I’m Germany or India 🙁 I have contacted Broadlink and they tell me Amazon are still in testing for those languages and will update us again soon.***

Anyone that has been following me knows that Broadlink and I fell out for a while after their latest RM pros started to get locked down, we’ve been in discussion and bridges have been built! In addition to the amazing turnaround mentioned in the video the RM plugin now works across all RM pros too (including RM pro, RM2 RM3, and Rm Pro+) The only issue left to resolve for the RM plugin is that it still doesn’t work on some GEN2 Echos or on the Echo+ The developer assures me this will be resolved soon!

The Broadlink RM pro has been one of the best devices for controlling Infrared and RF devices on a budget and I am pleased to say their key issues are finally resolved.

This method will now work, but you don’t have to trick the TV remote anymore, you can create a lamp and train it with any RF button and Alexa will discover the lamps! : www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg4HQhN5KXo

Broadlink RM pro: amzn.to/2fBFyrg
Buy a Broadlink Blackbean: amzn.to/2nFelnq
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1
Buy compatible RF plug sockets here: amzn.to/2ftUeoJ
Buy a compatible RF dimmer here: amzn.to/2fBKlZD

BUY ME A BEER
Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

Twitter me up: www.twitter.com/hibberthometech
Facebook the heck out of me: www.facebook.com/hibberthometech

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

How To Control ANYTHING With A Harmony Hub

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Sometimes your missus forces you to own a remote. Sometimes that remote is deliberately locked down by the manufacturer, I don’t care too much for being told what I can’t control, so this is a simple hack to show you how to control practically any cheap smart home device using the Harmony Hub.

In this how to video tutorial I will show you in typical Paul Hibbert fashion how to control RF and Wifi devices with the Harmony hub and basically any other device that can connect to IFTTT (If this then that) using any Android box that works with the Harmony hub.

In typical Paul Hibbert fashion, You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll probably throw things at your TV.

LINKS:

Join is currently in Beta but is easy to install, just follow the instructions here: joaoapps.com/beta-testing/

Buy a Harmony hub: amzn.to/2GmNCbm

Buy an Android box for this project: amzn.to/2pT1kYF

Sonoff S20 Plug socket (featured in this video):
UK: amzn.to/2Irtmmn
US: shrsl.com/sph5

Sonoff basic inline switch – Please note this switch does not have an Earth connection and is only suitable for products that don’t require an Earth unless you plan to wire the earth outside of the switch:
UK: amzn.to/2FDQZqS
US: shrsl.com/sphb

Sonoff T1 mains light switch:
UK: amzn.to/2CMOKP2
US: shrsl.com/spha

Sonoff RF bridge (£11.24):
UK: amzn.to/2HRAKal
US: shrsl.com/sph8

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Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

Twitter me up: www.twitter.com/hibberthometech
Book me in the face: www.facebook.com/hibberthometech

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

3 Reasons Everyone Is Switching To Sonoff For Alexa And Google Home

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Just how much easier is it to get Sonoff working with Alexa and IFTTT than with Broadlink?… Spoiler alert, it’s a lot easier. Sonoff currently make the cheapest and most reliable and flexible home automation solutions and this is a ‘how to’ video tutorial in typical Paul Hibbert style on how to connect the Sonoff s20 plug socket to both Alexa and to IFTTT in under 4 minutes!!… the Google Home setup is just the same as Alexa and works just as well 🙂

LINKS (I recommend buying through the below links as they are the cheapest I’ve found and are direct through Sonoff, they are more expensive on Amazon and Sonoff have advised there are fakes circulating Ebay!)

Sonoff S20 Plug socket (featured in this video):
Subscriber Discount: 10% off when using coupon code at checkout: 4X7C4N36
Valid until 20/03/2018
UK: amzn.to/2Irtmmn
US: shrsl.com/sph5

Sonoff basic inline switch – Please note this switch does not have an Earth connection and is only suitable for products that don’t require an Earth unless you plan to wire the earth outside of the switch:
UK: amzn.to/2FDQZqS
US: shrsl.com/sphb

Sonoff T1 mains light switch:
UK: amzn.to/2CMOKP2
US: shrsl.com/spha

Sonoff RF bridge (£11.24):
UK: amzn.to/2HRAKal
US: shrsl.com/sph8

BUY ME A BEER
Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

Twitter me up: www.twitter.com/hibberthometech
Book me in the face: www.facebook.com/hibberthometech

*FAQ’s*
I’m guessing the first question is going to be “What about Infrared Paul?”… Infrared control still only has three real choices at present…

Broadlink Blackbean: amzn.to/2o5IwoK
Logitech Harmony hub: amzn.to/2Glm6GV
Any old phone with an Infrared blaster on it!: youtu.be/YWEyDE8Yg0k

Other product links involved in this video:
Amazon Alexa:
Echo dot: amzn.to/2GiFog6
Echo full speaker: amzn.to/2Gl4QBI

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

New Kodi Alexa Skill – Updated Tutorial (2018)

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This is the much anticipated updated how to video tutorial for the Kodi Alexa skill (2018). The skill is much faster than the previous version and all instructions are now fully up to date!

Thanks to Joe Ipson for the code used in this tutorial. I am not a coder and without him this would not be possible.

This skill will not cost you any money unless you use it a hell of a lot! Amazon’s developer portal and AWS platform will need you to sign up with a credit card because there is a potential for you to exceed their free usage tier if you hammered this skill all day every day. The maximum charge would be $0.20 per month. Get over it 😉

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Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

CHAPTERS:
Setting Kodi up: 01:38
Setting up your router for port forwarding: 03:11
What if my IP changes? (You need a static IP): 07:14
Configuring AWS: 09:07
Uploading the code to AWS: 11:34
Connecting the bucket of stuff to Alexa (Creating the skill): 20:02
Using streams instead of local files: 24:59

LINKS
Link 1: python.org/downloads
Link 2: github.com/m0ngr31/kodi-alexa/archive/master.zip
Link 3: raw.githubusercontent.com/m0ngr31/kodi-voice/master/kodi_voice/kodi.config.example

CODES
Code 1: C:\Python27\Scripts\pip.exe install awscli
Code 2: C:\Python27\Scripts\aws configure
Code 3: C:\Python27\Scripts\pip.exe install virtualenv
Code 4: C:\Python27\Scripts\virtualenv venv
Code 5: venv\Scripts\activate.bat
Code 6: pip install -r requirements.txt
Code 7: pip install packaging
Code 8: pip install zappa
Code 9: zappa init
Code 10: zappa deploy dev
Code 11: python generate_custom_slots.py

SOCIAL
Twitter me up: www.twitter.com/hibberthometech
Facebook the heck out of me: www.facebook.com/hibberthometech

The Alexa skill you’re not supposed to have (Google Home skill 2018)

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This is the 2018 tutorial on how to create the Alexa Google home skill created by the amazing Ross. This tutorial uses his fantastic code here and if you prefer written instructions they are in the ‘read me’: github.com/tartanguru/alexa-assistant/tree/release-2-1
————————————–
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Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert
————————————–
Q&A
1. WHY IS THIS BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS VERSION?
This version supports the very latest Google API
You can change the language (Use the Google app to do this)
You can specify your locale in the Google app to get local information
The Echo show and Echo Spot will display written information
It’s faster than the old skill2. WHY DO I NEED A CREDIT CARD?
The skill is hosted on AWS which is an Amazon service. The usage of this skill is free for many thousands of requests per month, however Amazon still require a credit card incase you start using their services beyond the free limits. Your credit card details stay with Amazon.3. I ALREADY HAVE THIS SKILL FROM LAST TIME, HOW DO I UPGRADE?
github.com/tartanguru/alexa-assistant-instructions/blob/master/upgrade.md4. SHE KEEPS ASKING ME TO LINK THE SKILL/I HAVE AN ERROR
github.com/tartanguru/alexa-assistant-instructions/blob/master/common_problems.md
————————————–LINKS (THESE ARE LINKS, VISIT THEM WHEN THE VIDEO TELLS YOU TO)
Link1: developer.amazon.com/alexa
Link2: console.cloud.google.com/project
Link3: goo.gl/1B5vSe
Link4: aws.amazon.com
Link5: s3.console.aws.amazon.com/
Link6: myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols
Link7: alexa.amazon.com
————————————–

CODES (THESE ARE CODES, COPY THEM AND PASTE THEM WHEN THE VIDEO TELLS YOU TO. DON’T VISIT THEM THEY DON’T DO ANYTHING!)
Code1:
{
“intents”: [
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.NavigateSettingsIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.MoreIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.PageDownIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.PageUpIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.ScrollRightIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.ScrollDownIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.ScrollLeftIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.ScrollUpIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.HelpIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.NextIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.PreviousIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.StopIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.CancelIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.NoIntent”
},
{
“intent”: “AMAZON.YesIntent”
},
{
“slots”: [
{
“name”: “search”,
“type”: “SEARCH”
}
],
“intent”: “SearchIntent”
}
]
}

Code2: SearchIntent {search}

S3 Code: goo.gl/ipJSTCn

Code3: accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/auth?access_type=offline

Code4: www.googleapis.com/auth/assistant-sdk-prototype

Code5: www.googleapis.com/auth/script.external_request

Code6: accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/token

Code7: www.google.com/policies/privacy/

————————————–

PRODUCT LINKS

UK Product Links:
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1
Buy a full blown Echo speaker here: goo.gl/hXMxuf

US Product links:
Echo dot: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
Full size echo: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

How to control your TV using Google Home and a £16 Broadlink Blackbean

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The Broadlink Blackbean costs just £16 and is a super cheap alternative to buying a Harmony hub. This is a ‘how to’ tutorial guide in typical Paul Hibbert fashion to show you how to use ‘Scenes’ to control your TV, Set top box, AV receiver and pretty much any Infrared device using Alexa and Google Home. Google Home can detect Scenes from Broadlink’s IHC app and control multiple devices, but more importantly it it a way to control Infrared (IR) signals and program TV stations into her repertoire.

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Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

Twitter me up: www.twitter.com/hibberthometech
Facebook the heck out of me: www.facebook.com/hibberthometech

LINKS
Blackbean UK: amzn.to/2tqX6qS
Still want a Harmony Hub? : amzn.to/2GlcFrE

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

Turn your old phone into a Harmony hub!

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This is a ‘how to’ tutorial guide on how to control your TV, Set top box, AV reciever and pretty much any Infrared device using Alexa and any old phone with an Infrared sender. This is a cheap alternative to buying a Harmony hub.

In this tutorial I’ve repurposed my Samsung Galaxy S5 to blast Infrared by simply enabling the Anymote skill on Alexa and installing Anymote on my upcycled phone. This tutorial will work with any phone with an Infrared eye

Before any Harmony Hub owners bash me in the comments, I fully appreciate the Harmony hub is a more slick solution, but this solution could save you £50 if you have a phone sat in a drawer! If you already own a Harmony hub, then this could be a cheap way to add the functionality to another room! 🙂

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Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

LINKS

Still want a Harmony Hub? : amzn.to/2GlcFrE

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

Control practically anything with Google home and Broadlink

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This is a how to tutorial guide in typical Paul Hibbert fashion to show you how you can control the Broadlink RM pro or a Broadlink blackbean with Google home to switch RF devices on and off. No IFTTT required! Please note that this service can also switch Infrared devices such as TV’s, Xbox, and AV equipment on and off by tricking the Google home into thinking they are lamps! This is NOT a complete solution for controlling televisions!

I am still recommending that Alexa users hold off on buying an RM pro until Broadlink resolve their issues, but if you’re a google home user looking to switch RF and Infrared devices on and off then this tutorial is for you. Find out more here: youtu.be/FWRrQ-_uwEs

BUY ME A BEER
Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert
LINKS

UK Product Links:

Broadlink:
Buy a Broadlink blackbean here: amzn.to/2Ayjn9E
Buy an RM pro here NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ALEXA USERS!!: amzn.to/2DuHiwa

Amazon:
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1
Buy a full blown Echo speaker here: goo.gl/hXMxuf
US Product links:

Broadlink:
Buy a Broadlink blackbean here: amzn.com/B078BCMZH6/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
Buy a Broadlink RM pro here: amzn.com/B0742CXGHY/?tag=paulhibbertco-21

Amazon:
Echo dot: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
Full size echo: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂

How to change TV channels with Alexa using the Broadlink skill

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This is a how to tutorial guide in typical Paul Hibbert fashion to show you how you can change TV channels with Alexa using the Broadlink skill to control either a Broadlink RM pro or a Broadlink blackbean. THIS SKILL IS NOT YET AVAILABLE IN THE UK, IF YOU WANT TO ENABLE IT ANYWAY THEN FOLLOW THIS TUTORIAL HERE BUT PLEASE READ THE VIDEO DESCRIPTION FIRST: youtu.be/dO5rExW-7I8

If you want to give Broadlink a kicking for keeping us Brits waiting for the skill then come give them hell on Twitter with me on this tweet: twitter.com/hibberthometech/status/938389864176865282

BUY ME A BEER
Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

WHY AM I MAD AT BROADLINK?: youtu.be/FWRrQ-_uwEs
LINKS

UK Product Links:

Broadlink:
Buy a Broadlink blackbean here: amzn.to/2Ayjn9E

Amazon:
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1
Buy a full blown Echo speaker here: goo.gl/hXMxuf
US Product links:

Broadlink:
Buy a Broadlink blackbean here: amzn.com/B078BCMZH6/?tag=paulhibbertco-21

Amazon:
Echo dot: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
Full size echo: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂
NAMING CONVENTIONS FOR TV CHANNELS
(channel name : How it should be written in the app)

e4+1: E four plus one
ITV2: ITV two
E4: E four
Channel 5: 5 HD
Gems TV: gems
Channel4: 4 HD
Sky1: Sky one
BBC HD: BBC HD
BBC2: BBC 2
ITV: ITV
Dave: Dave
BBC1: BBC

How to control Xbox One with Alexa

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This is a how to tutorial guide in typical Paul Hibbert fashion to show you how you can control your Xbox one with Alexa using either a Broadlink RM pro or a Broadlink blackbean

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Tweet Broadlink to get their finger out here: twitter.com/hibberthometech/status/938389864176865282
Old version of the RM plugin if the current one is buggy: www.paulhibbert.co.uk/downloads

Buy an Xbox one S here: amzn.to/2Dpnt7

By buying through the above link I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂

If you can’t enable the Philips Hue skill then please visit this link for a solution: www.paulhibbert.co.uk/2017/11/24/a-complete-guide-to-connecting-the-broadlink-rm-pro-and-broadlink-blackbean-to-alexa/

Donate to the channel: paypal.me/PaulHibbert
Become a monthly contributor on Patreon: www.patreon.com/paulhibbert

Links:

UK Product Links:

Broadlink:
Buy a Broadlink RM pro here: amzn.to/2CyYixD
Buy a Broadlink blackbean here: amzn.to/2Ayjn9E

Amazon:
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1
Buy a full blown Echo speaker here: goo.gl/hXMxuf
Buy an Android set top box here (for people who don’t own an Android device): amzn.to/2rhOciS
US Product links:

Broadlink:
Buy a Broadlink RM pro here: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
Buy a Broadlink blackbean here: amzn.com/B078BCMZH6/?tag=paulhibbertco-21

Amazon:
Echo dot: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
Full size echo: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By buying through any of the links above I will earn commission at no extra cost to you 🙂 🙂