Category: Video tutorial

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Top 10 things to do with Alexa 2018

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This is my top 10 things to do with Alexa in 2018. A look back on the coolest things we managed to get her to do this year.

If you’re new to my channel this is a handy list, if you’ve been following me for a while then maybe you missed a couple of these. Either way, enjoy ny countdown of the top 10 things to do with Alexa this year!

1. Control Non smart devices with Alexa: youtu.be/DJIhEyMQ0TI
2. Youtube audio Alexa skill: youtu.be/QXq7UEOr-yk
3. Google home Alexa skill: youtu.be/2KzbJyTQTZE
4. Kodi Alexa skill: youtu.be/_KSlz_lT1k4
5. Control RF lights with Alexa: youtu.be/MfGdEcXL7RQ
6. Alexa Home Alarm: www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=e3Ziq3KLpBk
7. Control any robo Vacuum with Alexa: youtu.be/SgnxobBXJTI
8. Control your PC with Alexa: youtu.be/OYO6LQHF_jE
9. Use routines to implement custom phrases with Alexa: youtu.be/yaxIaPPRXt8
10. Open and close blinds with Alexa: youtu.be/Z66CwQ6Qpj8

Links:

UK Links:
Curtain blind motor:
Buy a 25mm diameter motor here: amzn.to/2eSdtvm
Buy a 20mm diameter motor here: amzn.to/2gPFynB

Broadlink:
Buy an RM pro here: goo.gl/lu7OOR

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 links:
Curtain blind motor:
Buy a 38mm diameter motor here: www.amazon.com/dp/B01HT6E31E
Buy a 20mm diameter motor here: www.amazon.com/dp/B074SFJZQ1

Broadlink:
RM pro: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21

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

Universal links:

35mm diameter motor:
www.aliexpress.com/item/Smart-Home-AC-Tubular-Motor-Electric-Curtains-Curtains-Intelligent-Remote-Control-Automatic-Lifting/32477208853.html

28mm diameter motor:
www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Smart-Home-Automatic-DC24V-Tubular-Electric-Curtains-Motor-RF433-Roller-shutters-Intelligent-Remote-Control-Lifting/1848374_32800656825.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.2995e5c0VOz7GY

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 🙂 🙂
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Get Alexa to hoover your house without paying for a Roomba

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This is a review and unboxing of the Eufy Robovac 11 which is a perfect cheap alternative to Roomba, and because it is Infrared it can be controlled using Alexa by following the below guide created by yours truly:

A complete guide to connecting the Broadlink RM pro and Broadlink Blackbean to Alexa

Links:
Eufy Robovac: amzn.to/2zhRIwt
Echo dot: amzn.to/2jEhTYS
Broadlink RM pro: amzn.to/2hJPa47
Broadlink blackbean: amzn.to/2ivZJ89

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 🙂 🙂

 

Music:
Heartbreaking by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100208
Artist: incompetech.com/
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How to stream from your phone to your TV the easy way

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This how to video tutorial will show you how to stream from any android mobile/cell phone or tablet to any Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, or Raspberry Pi based device using Kodi and Yatse.

If your TV is not Android based then Android set top boxes are super cheap and start from around £30

Links:

Cheap Android set top box: amzn.to/2BRjDlb

If you’re looking for something that is also capable of retro gaming, then check out my review of the Matricom set top box: here: youtu.be/D3PxMJ3zmB4

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 🙂 🙂
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Build a complete smart home for £255

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An exlanation of Home automation for beginners. This is a video full of cheap alternatives to mainstream home automation products, an explanation of the different devices involved in home automation and some recommendations by yours truly: Paul Hibbert

Please note, Broadlink can only be fully controlled by Alexa using some nifty tricks. Check out this post for more info and some tutorials: www.paulhibbert.co.uk/2017/11/24/a-complete-guide-to-connecting-the-broadlink-rm-pro-and-broadlink-blackbean-to-alexa/
Links:
Paul’s shopping list Spreadsheet featured in the video: www.paulhibbert.co.uk/downloads/

Echo dot: amzn.to/2jEhTYS
Broadlink RM pro: amzn.to/2hJPa47
Broadlink blackbean: amzn.to/2ivZJ89
Home easy plug sockets with remote: goo.gl/VmhESN
Energenie plug sockets: amzn.to/2jDLyRC
Home easy wall dimmer (NO REMOTE!): goo.gl/Pe7KLf
GLS Touch Dimmer: amzn.to/2hM35qq
Nest Thermostat: amzn.to/2jC1rIl

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 🙂 🙂
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How to create custom phrases for Alexa with ‘routines’

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Amazon has released an update which means we can finally create custom phrases for Alexa by using Routines. This gave me a couple of good ideas and has solved a big problem with the Broadlink skill. Most importantly I can go back to feeling like I live in the hit 90’s movie Demolition Man.

This video tutorial will show you how to use routines

Buy an RM pro here: goo.gl/lu7OOR

Buy 5 RF plug sockets here: amzn.to/2h4VlvO

Buy an RF mains dimmer switch here: amzn.to/2AiM8IB

Buy a nest thermostat here: amzn.to/2Ai5MUW

You will need a Hue hub as well as lamps if you want the Philips setup, you can get them here:
The Philip Hue lamp in the video is here: amzn.to/2zxgfPu
The Philips Hue hub is here: amzn.to/2iYpdho
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 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…

I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.

Much love,

-P
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DIY home automation project: touch panel for any smart device

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This is an easy tutorial to turn any Android tablet (no root required) into a posh DIY home automation touch panel. This is a cheap alternative to the expensive touch panels in swanky smart homes, and will control pretty much anything including the Broadlink RM Pro and the Broadlink blackbean. This is a simple setup using IFTTT, the RM plugin, Nova launcher and basic android widgets.

FIND ME ON TWITTER, please, I’ve got no mates: twitter.com/hibberthometech

Links:
Buy a super cheap £60 Samsung tablet here: amzn.to/2AggM5f

Buy an RM pro here: goo.gl/lu7OOR

Buy 5 RF plug sockets here: amzn.to/2h4VlvO

Buy an RF mains dimmer switch here: amzn.to/2AiM8IB

Buy a nest thermostat here: amzn.to/2Ai5MUW

You will need a Hue hub as well as lamps if you want the Philips setup, you can get them here:
The Philip Hue lamp in the video is here: amzn.to/2zxgfPu
The Philips Hue hub is here: amzn.to/2iYpdho
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 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…

I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.

Much love,

-P
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Alexa and Google home on one device

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This is a ‘how to’ tutorial to show you how to use an Android watch to get the best of both Google home and Alexa as a seamless experience. By using Alexa listens you can control Alexa, and by using Google you can control pretty much any audio including Google play music and Youtube!

By using Yatse you can even control Kodi using your watch!

UK Links:
You’ll need an Android watch running either Android wear 1.0 or Android wear 2.0 like one of the following:
Huawei Watch 2: amzn.to/2yjyoyW
Moto360: amzn.to/2wUBSEq

Hate watches?
Buy an RM pro here: goo.gl/lu7OOR
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1

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 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…

I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.

Much love,

-P
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Alexa on a watch!

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This is a how to tutorial to show you how to put Alexa on your watch!

UK Links:
You’ll need an Android watch running either Android wear 1.0 or Android wear 2.0 like one of the following:
Huawei Watch 2: amzn.to/2yjyoyW
Moto360: amzn.to/2wUBSEq

Hate watches?
Buy an RM pro here: goo.gl/lu7OOR
Buy an Echo dot here: goo.gl/9C2fG1

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 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…

I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.

Much love,

-P
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£100 Ring video doorbell and stick up camera alternative – Reolink Argus

This is a review, setup guide & side by side comparison for the 1080P Reolink Argus stick up Camera. I have compared it to my Ring video doorbell and although there are advantages to each I honestly think the Reolink Argus wins in almost every category and it is a big financial saving in both initial outlay and yearly subscription cost. See below for a price comparison.

I honestly believe that this is the best bang for buck wireless security camera for 2017

Reolink Argus £99.99: amzn.to/2jQle6R
Ring video doorbell £145 (featured in the video): amzn.to/2wae0fq
Ring stick up cam £159: amzn.to/2jQmDKF

By buying through any of the links above you will help support my channel (Paul Hibbert)

Now for a sob story…

I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert

Much love,

-P
Posted on

How to control curtain roller blinds with Alexa and broadlink RM Pro

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How to control curtain roller blinds with Alexa and broadlink RM Pro

In this video I’ll show you how to control a curtain roller blind with Alexa and a Broadlink RM pro.

UK Links:
Curtain blind motor:
Buy a 25mm diameter motor here: amzn.to/2eSdtvm
Buy a 20mm diameter motor here: amzn.to/2gPFynB

Broadlink:
Buy an RM pro here: goo.gl/lu7OOR

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 links:
Curtain blind motor:
Buy a 38mm diameter motor here: www.amazon.com/dp/B01HT6E31E
Buy a 20mm diameter motor here: www.amazon.com/dp/B074SFJZQ1

Broadlink:
RM pro: amzn.com/B01GIXZDKO/?tag=paulhibbertco-21

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

Universal links:

35mm diameter motor:
www.aliexpress.com/item/Smart-Home-AC-Tubular-Motor-Electric-Curtains-Curtains-Intelligent-Remote-Control-Automatic-Lifting/32477208853.html

28mm diameter motor:
www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Smart-Home-Automatic-DC24V-Tubular-Electric-Curtains-Motor-RF433-Roller-shutters-Intelligent-Remote-Control-Lifting/1848374_32800656825.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.2995e5c0VOz7GY

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 🙂 🙂
Now for a sob story…

I’m hoping to start making some money by doing what I love, which is this! If my video has helped you and you’re feeling super generous then you can donate here: paypal.me/PaulHibbert, otherwise I guess it’ll be back to the call centres for me.

Much love,

-P