this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2024
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homeassistant
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Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. Perfect to run on a Raspberry Pi or a local server. Available for free at home-assistant.io
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Why the flying fuck does everyone seem to use voice assistants and AI bullshit. I don't need to waste five seconds to get a bullshit response and to repeat myself when I don't get the wrong answer or to switch the light in the room next to me when I can make ten steps
For turning on lights and starting and stopping a Heatpump, voice assistants are awesome.
Turning on and off lights and setting timers is what most people use Alexa for. And a certain number use it for music too.
Most people don’t use any of the “assistant” or “ai” features these smart speakers have.
I’ve found it difficult to find other uses. But these ones are great.
This is exactly right. It’s like “hey Google” or “hey Siri” for setting a reminder on your phone, but it’s for your house to dim all the lights or whatever.
Lots of technology used to do a very limited number of things, but convenient things nonetheless.
Oh, leave me alone...
A smart home should know by itself when to turn the lights on for me, and without me needing to tell it every single time.
I want voice assistant when it is able to fetch me another beer (and then it has to go either to the fridge or down in the basement)
People with disabilities would like a word with you.
Truth.
My mom has been controlling her phone by yelling at it for over five years. She can barely see the screen, but still wants to talk to her sister and shop.
Easy come easy go.
Why the flying fuck would anyone want a home automation system that isn't voice controlled?
I don't want a voice assistant controlled by Google, Amazon, or Apple... but I value it so much I'm willing to compromise until there's a better option. This is a huge step in the right direction.
I setup my voice activated lights when my daughter was an infant. It was great being able to sit in a chair and rock her to sleep and be able to say "Google, it's nap time" and have the lights properly adjust, and the fan turn on. I also use it in my office when I have a video call to adjust the lights so my camera looks better. I can also lock my door, adjust my HVAC, and play music without needing to stop doing whatever I'm busy with.
Voice assistants have been great in my experience for smart home stuff. Dunno about ai bullshit
Few examples:
Come home in the evening with a bunch of groceries: “turn on the lights” is handy. I don’t see great and yet I’m irresponsible and will walk into a dark house with way too many bags in my hands
Cooking: again, hands busy. Change lighting, set timers, play music, etc
General laziness: sitting on the couch and decide to watch a movie, set a scene for optimal lighting. Granted this one is easily handled by using phone or just standing up, but voice is easier
Solid mic choice and placement avoids the repeat myself issue, for the most part. Can be an issue mainly during cooking tasks where there can be a lot of environmental noise and loud music playing. But worth the occasional snag, imo
I get it. I never use my Google home mini for answering anything other than, "what's the weather outside" and "where is my phone".
Honestly, if this can do those two things, my home mini can finally get recycled.