#Alexa Smart Plugs
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29 Useful and Inexpensive Alexa Accessories You’re Missing Out On
These nifty Alexa accessories will seriously upgrade your Echo experience!
Headshot of Brandon CarteBy Brandon CarteUpdated: Jan 23, 2023
If you want to make the most of your Amazon Echo and put the Alexa assistant to work, there are numerous accessories that you can use in tandem with your smart speaker. Not only that, but many add-ons can also help your Echo blend in more with your home decor. This makes it easier to interact with Alexa, and some of these products even help improve the security of your home.
Through our own at-home testing (combined with hours of extensive research), we've selected 29 useful Alexa accessories, from smart lights and voice-controlled robot vacuums to convenient sensors that will let you know when the mail has arrived. We made sure to include a wide variety of accessories that are compatible with both current and previous-generation Echo speakers and Echo Show smart displays. So, shop our favorite Alexa accessories below — or have Alexa add them right to your Amazon shopping cart.
If you own an Echo, this smart plug should be at the top of your shopping list. The sleek, Wi-Fi-connected Alexa accessory plugs into an electrical outlet to power your lamps, appliances, and devices.
It's incredibly easy to set up: All you need to do is plug it into a power outlet, and Alexa will automatically detect it if it's online.
Once you're connected, you can just ask your smart assistant to power your appliances on and off. Or, you can schedule it to turn on and off automatically, and control it when you're not at home.
More: Get the Lowdown on Smart Plugs Right Here https://www.bestproducts.com/appliances/small/g1166/wifi-smart-plugs/
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Amazon Smart Plug | Works with Alexa
Imagine living in a home that listens to your commands. That fantasy becomes a reality with the “Amazon Smart Plug | Works with Alexa | control lights with voice | easy to set up and use”. This smart plug takes convenience to a whole new level by allowing you to add voice control to any outlet around your house. Whether you want your lights to switch on at a set time or need your fans to blast…
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HomeMate WiFi Smart Plug Socket 16A (Pack of 1), With Energy Monitoring, Type - M, Suitable for Heavy Duty appliances like heater, geyser, ac , etc, Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri (Type D - 16A, Pack of 1)
COMPACT PLUG – Portable, easy to install, suitable for heavy duty appliances like geyser, room heater, microwave, refrigerator, etc.SIMPLE VOICE CONTROL: The Smart plugs that work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. Just say to Amazon Alexa or Hey Google to turn on or off your electronic devices connected with the Wi-Fi smart sockets without lifting your fingers.‘HOMEMATE SMART’ APP…
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#16A#alexa#amazon#Appliances#Assistant#Duty#Energy#geyser#Google#heater#Heavy#HomeMate#Monitoring#Pack#Plug#siri#Smart#Socket#Suitable#Type#WiFi#Works
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Amazon Smart Plug & Echo Flex Quick Look
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Amazon Smart Plug, for home automation, Works with Alexa - A Certified for Humans Device
$24.99
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Kasa Smart Plug Classic 15A, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, UL Certified, 2.4G WiFi Only, 1-Pack(HS105) , White
Kasa Smart Plug Classic 15A, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, UL Certified, 2.4G WiFi Only, 1-Pack(HS105) , White
Kasa Smart Plug Classic 15A, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa & Google Home, No Hub Required, UL Certified, 2.4G WiFi Only, 1-Pack(HS105) , White
Product Description & Features:
Control From Anywhere: Turn electronics on or off from anywhere with your smartphone using the Kasa app (Compatible w/ Android & iOS)
Voice Control: Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and MicroSoft…
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#1-Pack#15A#2.4G#Alexa#camper van battery system 12v#Certified#Classic#Conversion#Google#Home#HS105#Hub#Kasa#No#Only#Outlet#Plug#Required#Smart#UL#White#Wi-Fi#WIFI#with#Works
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Incorrect CoD Quotes #7
Sherlock, in response to being asked to sneak into Valeria’s house: Okay. Don’t worry, guys. I got your back!
*She steps behind Ghost*
Sherlock: From right here.
———
Laswell: Hey did you call General Shepherd a bitch?
Price: Yeaaahh! He changed the Wi-Fi password!
Laswell: You can’t be-
Nikolai: THAT BITCH CHANGED THE WI-FI PASSWORD!!!!
———
*Something bad and unexpected happens on a mission*
Nikolai: Why didn’t you tell me?!
Sherlock: Well, because I wanted us to fail.
Nikolai: 😑
Sherlock: OBVIOUSLY I DIDN’T KNOW!!!!
———
Graves: Hey, I always get the vibe that you, like, hate me or something.
Ghost: What?! Me, hate you?!
Ghost: …You’re right.
———
Soap: If I punch myself in the face and it hurts, am I strong or weak?
Ghost: Strong.
Gaz: Weak.
Price: A dumbass is what you are.
———
Alejandro: When I first met you, I thought you were weird and annoying.
Graves: …
Graves: And?
Alejandro: And you are.
———
Hadir: Sorry I’m late, I was… doing things.
*pounding footsteps can be heard from behind the door*
Alex, bursting through the door: HE PUSHED ME DOWN THE FUCKING STAIRS!
Hadir: Push is such a strong word. I prefer calling it … giving you a little nudge.
Alex: Oh I’ll give you a nudge when I shove mY FOOT UP YOUR ASS!
Price, covering Farah’s ears: Hey! Watch your fucking language in front of the president!
———
Graves: Yo, what’s that song that goes like, “Despacito”?
Alejandro: Despacito?
Graves: Yeah. What’s the name?
Alejandro: DESPACITO
Graves: …Yeah. What’s the name?
Alejandro, pissed: Dios mío, you’re an idiot!
Graves: Thank you! Alexa, play “Dios mío, you’re an idiot!”
Echo Dot Alexa: Ok *starts playing Despacito*
Alejandro: 😦
Graves 😎
———
Ghost: What happens to the car if you press the break and the accelerator at the same time? Does it take a screenshot?
Price:
Soap:
Gaz:
Roach, wanting to be a little shit: Ye-
Sherlock being done with life: No. That’s it, I’m driving.
———
Soap: Go to bed! It’s 3am. If you don’t you’re going to hate yourself in the morning!
Roach: Jokes on you, I’m gonna hate myself in the morning ✨REGARDLESS✨
———
Sherlock: I don’t want to be a person anymore.
Ghost: … What?
Sherlock: I’m tired of it.
Soap: 😥 Maybe we should talk about this-
Sherlock: I just wanna be a dinosaur.
Ghost:
Soap:
Roach: Me too!
———
*Sherlock walks into the rec room and drops her bag on the floor*
Sherlock: tEll mE wHy tHerE arE 7 BiLlioN peOplE On tHiS DAmN PlaNEt ANd NoT 1 pErsOn hAs A CrUsH On mE!? WhAt ThE HelL UNiveRsE?!!
Gaz, whose been pining for her since the day he met her: what about me 🥺
———
Roach, sleep deprived: All I want-
Soap: Oh no
Roach: -is for for someone to walk up to me-
Ghost: What’s going on now?
Roach: -look me in the eyes, put their hands on my face, and very passionately-
Gaz: Kiss you?
Roach: -twist as hard as they can and put me out of my fucking misery!
Price: Roach no
Roach: Roach yes
———
Laswell: John, aren’t you supposed to be on a Zoom call right now?
Price: I got kicked off already.
Laswell: Why! What did you do?!
Price: Well she said, “DoN’t GeT sMaRt WiTh Me!” and I said, “Then what are we paying you for?” and she did not like that!
Laswell: John that’s rude.
Price: …But I’m right on this.
———
Roach: Remember when you guys told me to go to the pharmacy?
Sherlock: *looks at Gaz before looking at Roach* Yess
Roach: Mmm they’re out of my ADHD medication for five days.
Sherlock: Oh my god-
Roach: It’s gonna be a fun week!
Gaz, already leaving the room: I’m going to my mother’s-
Sherlock, pissed that she would have to watch Roach by herself: What happened to “in sickness and in health”, motherfucker!?
———
Sherlock: I’m sorry guys… there’s nothing else we can do. Graves is dying, we’re gonna have to pull the plug.
Gen. Herschel Shepherd: Oh my god… Oh my god…
Soap: Can I do it?
Gen. Herschel Shepherd: What?
Soap: Can I pull the plug?
Gaz: Hey no! I wanna pull the plug!
Ghost: No fuck you! I get to do it!
Soap: This is bullshit! I wanna do it!
Price: NO! I-I’m the oldest, I should be the one to do it!
Ghost: I’ll thumb wrestle you for it.
Price: Fine, let’s go BITCHHH
Price & Ghost, hands together for thumb wrestling: 1, 2, 3, 4, I declare a thumb war!
Gen. Herschel Shepherd: Are you two serious?!
Price: YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE A CHANCE
Ghost: OH, YOU’RE GOING DOWN
Price: NOOO, NO, NO, NOO
Ghost: OHHHHHHHHHH
*Ghost wins*
Ghost: Yess
Price: NO
Ghost: yEsSSSSS
Price: DAMN IT
Ghost: Alright, where’s that plug?!
Soap: Where’s that plug?
Ghost: Where’s that mother fucking plug?!
Sherlock: Do you have ANY respecT?!
Ghost: No, I have 0 respect!
Soap: We have 0.
Price: We have 0 respect.
Gaz: I have nothing!
Gen. Herschel Shepherd: I can’t even believe this!
Sherlock: Yeah, me too. Alright let’s get this show on the road! I got some leftover lasagna at home, and it’s got my name on it!
———
Ghost: Good morning, everyone. God has let me live another day. And I’m about to make it EVERYONE’S problem.
Soap: Good morning to you too.
Price: 🤦♂️ I give up.
———
Alex: What do we do when we’re feeling sad?
Farah: Watch a murder documentary and plan out how to do it without getting caught?
Hadir’s soul in Hell: *scared shitless despite already being dead*
Alex: Jesus fuck, NO!
———
Soap: You guys won’t believe what just happened!
Ghost: What happened?
Soap: Some guy from Shadow Company wouldn’t leave Sherlock alone-
Nikolai, maternal uncle instincts kicking in: Excuse me!
Soap: -but she took care of it!
Price, to Sherlock: How’d you take care of it?
Sherlock: Simple. *clears throat* 🎶Row row row your boat, The fuck away from me, Felony felony just tried to test me, And I’m a cause a scene🎶
Nikolai, laughing: That’s my girl!
#call of duty#call of duty oc#cod sherlock#cod nikolai#chimera sherlock#kate laswell#incorrect call of duty quotes#captain john price#phillip graves#simon ghost riley#john soap mactavish#kyle gaz garrick#alejandro vargas#hadir karim#alex keller#inspired by youtube#gary roach sanderson#general shepherd#farah karim
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My Unpopular Hobie Brown Opinions (& Headcanons) - [Part 1/??????]
Excuse me excuse me i got some shit to say that needs to be said cause this just what i be thinking when i be thinking too hard cause i be doing that sometimes (photo is of me when i be thinking cause i be doing that)
_______________________________________________________
First of all - Hobie doesn't have a smart phone.
Those little fake text yall be making? Where Hobie has a blue bubble? Nah bro not happening.
You think Hobie Brown is walking around with Siri in his pocket?? Siri who listens in on you and responds to the things you're saying while storing your info?
He isn't.
And he's not on twitter either so you can put those fake tweets in the basket too
He's not scrolling on the bird app giving Elon Musk revenue and engagement
Hobie seem like the type to walk in your house and start bad mouthing your Alexa. Be in your kitchen like 'Hey Google, kill yourself'
He has never opened or witnessed Tiktok and he never will
AT MOST he has a burner flip phone like a plug. And even then you have to pray he buys minutes. Voicemail? FULL.
Hobie is not a player.
He's from the 70's - the strongest time for HARDCORE second-wave feminism. Like bra-burning. Plus he's in the punk scene. He knows better than to say some slick shit or pull anything
BUT if ya'll make it clear it's casual and you catch feelings.. damn that sucks for you
Also, Hobie Brown doesn't get jealous. Lets stop the cap right now.
Mans doesn't even believe in private property and you think he'd feel comfortable being possessive over his partner
ESPECIALLY if they're a woman?
And secondly what insecurities does he even have to make him jealous? Can YOU , right now ,even imagine a man that would make Hobie Brown insecure/jealous?
I'll wait.
Realistically speaking, if you're not punk he's not into you most likely.
You don't have to listen to the music or 'dress the part' he doesn't care about that i mean like politically if you aren't in the movement good luck
Like if you turn down going to protests, or organizing,
or you don't wanna do community service with him he's not gonna feel it.
And he'd most likely be into people educated and into thinks like communism, socialism, anarchism, etc. If you can't hold a conversation about the immoralism behind being a landlord, then yeah there might be some awkward silences
Also can't believe I have to say this but ACAB and I mean that.
If you fuck with cops, Hobie doesn't fuck with you. Unless they're your family and even then they're on thin fucking ice.
Hobie has one-on-one interacts with fascists cops on the regular. The actively know who Spider-man is and target him.
Of course he's gonna hate them, or vent about them. The same way his one good experience with Gwen doesnt make him like the Society, having one good theoretical experience with a cop wouldn't make Hobie not hate cops.
In addition, Hobie has canonically killed people and is willing to kill again any day of the week if he has to. He stays ready.
He's done it with his guitar and he'll probably do it again in the future
And if you're with him you'd genuinely have to be comfortable and okay with that.
What are you gonna do? Defend a fascist? Exactly
So if he comes home with blood on him that isn't his, how you react is on you-
He's still gonna sleep good as hell at night
Hobie isn't very romantic. Like at all.
He's not buying you flowers - that's a sexist trope. He's not taking you to the movies because fuck the studio execs. He's not celebrating Valentine's Day because it's literally made up and he'll only celebrate anniversaries if you REALLY want to
He probably isn't chivalrous at all because he doesn't think to be - it's outplayed. So he's not opening doors and pulling out chairs or nothing
I feel like he's the type that if you got mad about it he'd be genuinely surprised because it just doesn't occur to him to be romantic
He'd be like 'why the fuck do you need roses?? i mean i love you i can knick you some if u want??'
He'd probably feel like all that is superficial as hell, and show his love in other ways
like stressing that you text him when you get home or always asking if you've eaten
he'd be like 'had any scran' or 'you've eaten right?' and if you havent hed immediately turn and go looking for the nearest food to give you (food insecurity does that to you)
Oh and he is not getting married not even a hippie wedding
cause Hobies not buying a ring (gold mining causes suffering anyway) and he's not proposing and if his partner proposed I feel like he'd be shocked in a slightly uncomfortable way
I could absolutely see him being poly. Like either being in a thruple, but most likely just having multiple seperate partners who also have partners
i can see Hobie being a baby daddy. Not in the bad way. In the good way. But not in the Peter B. way.
Not elaborating on that last part it just is what it is
----------------------------------------------------------
okay ill leave this here before it gets long also no proofreading oop - but tell me what you think id love to hear your thoughts! What you agree with or disagree with and why :) im chill and nice and not a twitter person i promise lol
but also, I said what I said <3
#hobie brown#atsv#spiderpunk#spider punk#atsv analysis#hobie brown headcanons#marvel#spiderman#across the spiderverse
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Cale: *commits calebab*
Clopeh + God of Despair temple: Caught you in 8K UHD surround sound 16 Gigs ram, HDR GEFORCE RTX, TI-80 texas insturments, Triple A duracell battery ultrapower100 Cargador Compatible iPhone 1A 5 W 1400 + Cable 100% 1 Metro Blanco Compatible iPhone 5 5 C 5S 6 SE 6S 7 8 X XR XS XS MAX GoPro hero 1 2 terrabyte xbox series x Dell UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor - U4919DW Sony HDC-3300R 2/3" CCD HD Super Motion Color Camera, 1080p Resolution Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor, Easy Clean Interior, ECO Mode and Sound On/Off, 1.2 Cu. ft, Stainless Steel HP LaserJet Pro M404n Monochrome Laser Printer with Built-in Ethernet (W1A52A) GE Voluson E10 Ultrasound Machine LG 23 Cu. Ft. Smart Wi-Fi Enabled InstaView Door-in-Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator with Craft Ice Maker GFW850SPNRS GE 28" Front Load Steam Washer 5.0 Cu. Ft. with SmartDispense, WiFi, OdorBlock and Sanitize and Allergen - Royal Sapphire Kohler K-3589 Cimarron Comfort Height Two-Piece Elongated 1.6 GPF Toilet with AquaPiston Flush Technology., Quick Charge 30W Cargador 3.0 Cargador de Viaje Enchufe Cargador USB Carga Rápida con 3 Puertos carga rápida Adaptador de Corriente para iPhone x 8 7 Xiaomi Pocophone F1 Mix 3 A1 Samsung S10 S9 S8AUKEY Quick Charge 3.0 Cargador de Pared 39W Dual Puerto Cargador Móvil para Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+/ Note 8, iPhone XS / XS Max / XR, iPad Pro / Air, HTC 10, LG G5 / G6 AUKEY Quick Charge 3.0 Cargador USB 60W 6 Puerto Cargador Móvil para Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+ / Note 8, LG G5 / G6, Nexus 5X / 6P, HTC 10, iPhone XS / XS Max / XR, iPad Pro/ Air, Moto G4 SAMSUNG 85-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series - 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (UN85TU8000FXZA, 2020 Model) GE 38846 Premium Slim LED Light Bar, 18 Inch Under Cabinet Fixture, Plug-In, Convertible to Direct Wire, Linkable 628 Lumens, 3000K Soft Warm White, High/Off/Low, Easy to Install, 18 Ft Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Trane20,000-Watt 1-Phase LPG/NG Liquid Cooled Whole House Standby Generator
#if you read all that congratulations because even I didn't#tcf#trash of the count's family#lcf#lout of the count’s family#cale henituse#clopeh sekka#god of despair#tcf incorrect quotes#incorrect tcf quotes
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Smart plugs are bad for dogs health
PSA: We adopted our dog, Rowdy, from the shelter 5 years ago. He was already an adult dog, so we estimate he is about 11 or 12 years old at this point. I love this dog. He is the sweetest soul and my BFF. For the past week or so he hasn’t been acting like himself. He licked a raw spot on his foot. He was panting constantly. He was pacing. Sunday morning, the pacing and panting got so bad, and I was REALLY nervous that there was something seriously wrong with him. For 45 minutes, he panted like crazy and constantly paced back and forth. He was keeping his tail tucked down all the time. His ears were pinned back. He would not settle down and he wouldn’t eat. We tried everything. I ended up giving him a trazadone that he takes sometimes when he goes to the groomer. It seemed to take a little bit of the edge off, but not much. He still wouldn’t eat and still wouldn’t settle. I took off work on Monday so I could take him to the vet. We did bloodwork and x-rays. Knowing he is a senior dog, I was trying to prepare myself for the worst case scenario. I was glad to see his bloodwork was great except for some elevated liver enzymes. The x-rays showed he was a little backed up but no major issues. He got an anti-nausea injection and some Gabapentin to help with some tenderness in his back and to hopefully help keep him calm. When we got home, he was ok for a little bit, but eventually started pacing and panting again. We walked around the neighborhood for a long time and he used the bathroom a lot. He seemed pretty happy about that and was in good spirits until we got home and he refused to come back in the house. Every time I took him out that evening, he would hunker down like he didn’t want to come back in the house. When my vet called and I gave her the update, she suggested there may be some new electronic device in the house that was emitting a high frequency noise that is hurting his ears. We had just put new smart outlets in the house about a week ago. His pacing and panting were worse when the lamps were on, so I unplugged all the smart outlets. He stopped panting, stopped pacing, and ate his food. His tail was even up and wagging again. When I plugged the smart outlets all back in and asked Alexa to turn on the lamps, he immediately started panting and pacing again. My husband used an app to test the frequency of the smart outlets. It was off the charts. We've left the outlets unplugged for two days and have confirmed that it is definitely the smart outlets that are causing his stress and discomfort. He's back to being a totally normal dog now. I really thought this was the end for Rowdy based on the way he was acting. I am so thankful for Dr. Newell at BoonesCreek AnimalHospital for figuring out this simple solution. If your pets are exhibiting similar symptoms, you may want to consider checking your electronics first. I cannot express how relieved I am that he is ok now
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Crestin smart plugs are 100% the way to go if you have multiple reptiles who use lights! Ive tried a few other timers which kinda work, but you dont have access to them and their status while out of the house. These are so nice because theyre wifi connected, and you can turn them on and off from anywhere at any time! You can also set the schedule for different times each day of the week, personalize the names and photos of the plugs, and if it goes offline for some reason it will send you a notification! Theyre freakin awesome 👌
Here's a link to them:
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Two of my smart plugs stopped responding to Alexa, but I could still control them via the Smartlife app. Tried all kinds of things, but Alexa would just say they were unresponsive. Then after a bit of searching I found a tip to turn off the plug, remove it for 60 seconds, plug it back in and ask Alexa to activate it. Worked. Apparently the plugs needed to power cycle.
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Wipro 16A Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring- Suitable for Large Appliances like Geysers, Microwave Ovens, Air Conditioners (Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant)- White (Pack of 2)
Price: (as of – Details)
Smart Plug – Suitable for small appliances like Television sets, electric kettle, table fans, set top box, air purifiers etc.Wireless Control – Control electrical devices from anywhere with the Wipro Smart app on your smartphone.Voice Control – Voice Control device connected with Smart Plug via Alexa & Google AssistantSet Schedules – Schedule your devices to turn on and…
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#16A#Air#alexa#Appliances#Assistant#Compatible#Conditioners#Energy#Geysers#Google#Large#Microwave#Monitoring#Ovens#Pack#Plug#Smart#Suitable#White#WiFi#wifi plug#wipro
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Caught you in 8K UHD surround sound 16 Gigs ram, HDR GEFORCE RTX, TI-80 texas insturments, Triple A duracell battery ultrapower100 Cargador Compatible iPhone 1A 5 W 1400 + Cable 100% 1 Metro Blanco Compatible iPhone 5 5 C 5S 6 SE 6S 7 8 X XR XS XS MAX GoPro hero 1 2 terrabyte xbox series x Dell UltraSharp 49 Curved Monitor - U4919DW Sony HDC-3300R 2/3" CCD HD Super Motion Color Camera, 1080p Resolution Toshiba EM131A5C-SS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor, Easy Clean Interior, ECO Mode and Sound On/Off, 1.2 Cu. ft, Stainless Steel HP LaserJet Pro M404n Monochrome Laser Printer with Built-in Ethernet (W1A52A) GE Voluson E10 Ultrasound Machine LG 23 Cu. Ft. Smart Wi-Fi Enabled InstaView Door-in-Door Counter-Depth Refrigerator with Craft Ice Maker GFW850SPNRS GE 28" Front Load Steam Washer 5.0 Cu. Ft. with SmartDispense, WiFi, OdorBlock and Sanitize and Allergen - Royal Sapphire Kohler K-3589 Cimarron Comfort Height Two-Piece Elongated 1.6 GPF Toilet with AquaPiston Flush Technology., Quick Charge 30W Cargador 3.0 Cargador de Viaje Enchufe Cargador USB Carga Rápida con 3 Puertos carga rápida Adaptador de Corriente para iPhone x 8 7 Xiaomi Pocophone F1 Mix 3 A1 Samsung S10 S9 S8AUKEY Quick Charge 3.0 Cargador de Pared 39W Dual Puerto Cargador Móvil para Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+/ Note 8, iPhone XS / XS Max / XR, iPad Pro / Air, HTC 10, LG G5 / G6 AUKEY Quick Charge 3.0 Cargador USB 60W 6 Puerto Cargador Móvil para Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+ / Note 8, LG G5 / G6, Nexus 5X / 6P, HTC 10, iPhone XS / XS Max / XR, iPad Pro/ Air, Moto G4 SAMSUNG 85-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series - 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (UN85TU8000FXZA, 2020 Model) GE 38846 Premium Slim LED Light Bar, 18 Inch Under Cabinet Fixture, Plug-In, Convertible to Direct Wire, Linkable 628 Lumens, 3000K Soft Warm White, High/Off/Low, Easy to Install, 18 Ft Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright Bagless
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PSA: We adopted our dog, Rowdy, from the shelter 5 years ago. He was already an adult dog, so we estimate he is about 11 or 12 years old at this point. I love this dog. He is the sweetest soul and my BFF. For the past week or so he hasn’t been acting like himself. He licked a raw spot on his foot. He was panting constantly. He was pacing. Sunday morning, the pacing and panting got so bad, and I was REALLY nervous that there was something seriously wrong with him. For 45 minutes, he panted like crazy and constantly paced back and forth. He was keeping his tail tucked down all the time. His ears were pinned back. He would not settle down and he wouldn’t eat. We tried everything. I ended up giving him a trazadone that he takes sometimes when he goes to the groomer. It seemed to take a little bit of the edge off, but not much. He still wouldn’t eat and still wouldn’t settle. I took off work on Monday so I could take him to the vet. We did bloodwork and x-rays. Knowing he is a senior dog, I was trying to prepare myself for the worst case scenario. I was glad to see his bloodwork was great except for some elevated liver enzymes. The x-rays showed he was a little backed up but no major issues. He got an anti-nausea injection and some Gabapentin to help with some tenderness in his back and to hopefully help keep him calm. When we got home, he was ok for a little bit, but eventually started pacing and panting again. We walked around the neighborhood for a long time and he used the bathroom a lot. He seemed pretty happy about that and was in good spirits until we got home and he refused to come back in the house. Every time I took him out that evening, he would hunker down like he didn’t want to come back in the house. When my vet called and I gave her the update, she suggested there may be some new electronic device in the house that was emitting a high frequency noise that is hurting his ears. We had just put new smart plugs in the house about a week ago. His pacing and panting were worse when the lamps were on, so I unplugged all the smart outlets. He stopped panting, stopped pacing, and ate his food. His tail was even up and wagging again. When I plugged the smart plugs all back in and asked Alexa to turn on the lamps, he immediately started panting and pacing again. My husband used an app to test the frequency of the smart plugs. It was off the charts. We've left the outlets unplugged for two days and have confirmed that it is definitely the smart outlets that are causing his stress and discomfort. He's back to being a totally normal dog now. I really thought this was the end for Rowdy based on the way he was acting. I am so thankful for Dr. Newell at BoonesCreek AnimalHospital for figuring out this simple solution. If your pets are exhibiting similar symptoms, you may want to consider checking your electronics first. I cannot express how relieved I am that he is ok now.
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Trying harder to make life easier with Alexa
A little over a year ago I read a Bloomberg article that Alexa use had stalled and that users weren't adopting/integrating Alexa as quickly as Amazon hoped. The article cited internal Amazon data stating, "There have been years when 15% to 25% of new Alexa users were no longer active in their second week with the device." Another Amazon document said that new Alexa users discover half the features they will ever use within 3 hours of activating the device. Beth and I fall into that category... we mostly ask Alexa to tells us the weather forecast and occasionally ask other questions which she occasionally answers correctly. We also have an Echo device in the pantry and use Alexa to add items to a shopping list. When we lived in the apartment we used smart plugs and Alexa voice commands to control a few lamps. I also used smart plugs and Alexa routines to schedule/automate the Christmas lights at our old house.
When building our new house I tried to make it as future proof as possible. We have robust wifi to connect smart appliances (range, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, and dryer) as well as Liftmaster garage doors, Moen shower valves, a Ring security system and Lutron lighting. When we moved in, I took the time to connect about half of these items to their 'brand' app but didn't bother with many others. According to the WSJ, I'm not alone. In a WSJ article last month LG Electronics said that less than half their smart appliances stay connected to the internet; Whirlpool said that more than half remain connected but declined to be more specific. This shouldn't be surprising because the process of connecting an appliance isn't very intuitive and it differs from one brand to the next.
The ROI on the effort to connect the devices isn't strong, especially if it is difficult to to do. For most appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, etc.) the primary benefit is notification of required maintenance, faults or malfunctions and limited diagnostic abilities. The refrigerator will also inform me if the door is left open, the dishwasher will remind me that the rinse agent is low, the dryer will tell me if the exhaust is clogged and I like seeing the notifications about my oven timer because I usually can't hear it.
Using Alexa to do things is even more difficult. First you have to add the appropriate 'Skill', oAuth into the app of the appliance, then discover the devices and build a routine. Creating the routine frequently requires an additional step of creating a 'Scene' in the subsidiary app, then discovering this scene in Alexa when you connect the skill. This isn't insurmountable for a Gen-Xr or younger, but again it isn't always clear that the juice is worth the squeeze. I made the effort, however and now I can start the dishwasher from my bed before I go to sleep (provided I already added detergent) and find out how much time is left on the dryer. Surprisingly, my life doesn't feel that much richer.
There are opportunities for complex, higher value Alexa routines but these are even more difficult. Leaving the house is a good example. With a great deal of effort, I've enabled the following:
"Alexa, we are leaving in the Subaru"
Open Liftmaster Center garage door
Execute Lutron Garage Lights Scene - On
Execute Lutron Goodbye Lights Scene (all house lights off)
Wait 5 minutes
Execute Lutron Garage Lights Scene - Off
Arm Ring Security System - Away
Arm Alexa Guard - Away
This was difficult because Liftmaster is trying to sell their own Alexa -type hardware so they refuse to integrate with Alexa. Likewise, Alexa refuses to disarm or change armed mode of Ring with a routine (even though they are sister companies). Solving both those problems required use of an intermediary Simple Commands/IFFT skill to backdoor the solution. I think this routine could get even better if I add a command to turn down the heat/ac and turn off recirc of the tankless water heaters but I will need to add wireless control to the Rinnai water heaters.
Having said that the Alexa Leaving and Arriving routines really are helpful and I like scheduling Alexa to automatically close the garage doors every night at 10 in case they've accidentally been left open.
When my Dad died last year I bought several Echos, smart plugs and a Ring system and installed them for my Mom. She loves being able to tell Alexa to turn on lights, show her who is at the front door and play Spotify. She couldn't have set up the system, but she is good at using it and that's what counts.
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