11/24/2023 0 Comments Alexa turn off flashlightWhen we’re just hanging around or watching TV, I can say “Alexa, turn on Den” for a basic, well-lit atmosphere using a Group made up of a dimmable TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulb in the chandelier plus two lamps, each hooked up to a Wemo Mini.įor movie night, I can say “Alexa, it’s movie time,” and the room switches automatically to a Scene that triggers the same dimmable TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulb in the chandelier. In our home, we use a combination of smart plugs and smart bulbs to create Scenes, which are preconfigured settings for different activities. My family’s den is a multifunctional space, and smart lighting is a great way for us to tweak the atmosphere to make the room more comfortable for a variety of situations. Whether you already have a smart lighting setup in your home or you’re interested in adding one, here are a few simple ways that Alexa can help. One nice touch: Alexa Groups let you combine devices from several different companies, so you don’t have to open up multiple apps or use a string of triggers just to get the mood right in the den. Some companies, such as Kasa, allow you to program Scenes made up of multiple devices, which you can also control through Alexa voice commands as well as by scheduling. By connecting Alexa with a smart-home sensor or an Echo Button, you can also trigger a Routine every time you open a certain door or window, or at the tap of a button on your desk.Īlexa also gives you the option to create Groups of smart devices that can all activate from a single trigger-that Group could cover something specific like your kitchen lights, or something general like all of your lights. For example, you can create a multistep Routine that activates at a certain time of day or based on your location (via smartphone), such as every time you leave the house or come home. With Alexa, it all happens in an instant, so I can focus on getting to my first sip of coffee.Īlthough voice commands are a central part of the Alexa experience, they’re not the only way to control your smart home. ![]() And I haven’t even gotten to opening Slack or my email yet. Without my Routine to automate this process, I’d need to flip a light switch and adjust its dimmer open my computer and click open the calendar, scroll down to the right day, and read click over to my to-do list app, scroll, and read and then open up Spotify, select my music, and start playing. And just like that, I’m ready to begin the day! ![]() When it comes time to start my Wirecutter day, all I have to do is say “Alexa, go to work,” and the smart lighting around my home switches to my Office preset, Alexa reads through my calendar and to-do list for the day, and my preferred music playlist starts up. I have a home office, so I set up a Routine to help me mentally separate when it’s time to work and when I’m off-duty. To get started you need only an Alexa speaker such as an Echo or Dot, and a couple of compatible smart bulbs, wall switches, or plug-in switches. And although they work with nearly any combination of smart devices, smart lighting in particular is one of the easiest and most effective uses. Groups and Routines are easy to set up, and they can make your life a lot more convenient, uncluttering your brain by automating otherwise tedious tasks. Using the Alexa app you can assemble devices into Groups that you can control together, and also create Routines-little personalized domino chains that trigger a few or several smart devices. And that’s especially true for home lighting: Using voice commands to dim your living room lights for TV watching or to turn on the kitchen and hallway lights for your morning routine turns out to be a far better experience than relying on your smartphone every time. ![]() ![]() At its best, Alexa streamlines the process of getting things done-from the everyday to the esoteric.
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