X10 Community Forum
💬General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: HA Dave on December 28, 2015, 09:15:33 AM
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This automation almost seems like a April fools-day device.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512c4aMlfiL._AA160_.jpg)
Sold (only) to Amazon Prime members ($99 annual membership). There are several "product buttons" available. These WiFi devices communicate via the home modem/router to automate the ordering process. Sold at $4.99 a device which is refunded with first use. This is serious automation!
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I hope my local pizza guy gets one of those gadgets!
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They have been out for a little while, and Amazon keeps adding new products. I've already need a number of hacks that allow you to re-purpose these to do other things.
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HA Dave, your post was pretty interesting. Noam, yours even more so. A quick search found a brief DIY article on how to use these to do your own bidding:
https://medium.com/@edwardbenson/how-i-hacked-amazon-s-5-wifi-button-to-track-baby-data-794214b0bdd8 (https://medium.com/@edwardbenson/how-i-hacked-amazon-s-5-wifi-button-to-track-baby-data-794214b0bdd8)
And then the eureka moment: These can be used as a FREE alternative to the X10 KR15A (Big Red Button)! (Warning: Whether you can really assign the button to a product on Amazon, use it to order something and get your $4.99 refund, and then unassign the button from the product, I haven't confirmed!) If not free, they're 1/4 of the cost. And since all devices can see an ARP probe on the same LAN segment, you don't even need to add RF repeaters (as with the KR15A) if you already have WiFi coverage. If you have a large house but already have multiple WiFi access points patched to one switch, it already works anywhere in your house!
Now, if you start thinking about what you can do by taking that little thing apart and connecting a differently-purposed switch across the pins of the existing pushbutton switch, the possibilities really start to open up. And since this is effectively open source since the author of that article gives away the (very simple) Python code, you can replace the code that logs a row to a spreadsheet with code that runs another program or ties into your automation software of choice. Then it becomes a question of what you can't do!
- Put one next to your door and add code to play a sound and flash the lights when it's pushed? Sweet, a doorbell! :)
- Add a tilt switch to your mailbox and use one to send you a text message when your mailbox is opened? Why not?
- Connect a relay to the buzzer on your dryer and connect the relay contacts to one of these, and send a text message when your clothes are done? Sure!
- Detect when a plant's soil is dry and add an item to your to-do list to water it? Maybe. You may actually need to add a transistor for that one!
The first step is to get a bunch of these and start experimenting. The great thing is that if you fry one, you're not out any money! :)%
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..... A quick search found a brief DIY article on how to use these to do your own bidding:
https://medium.com/@edwardbenson/how-i-hacked-amazon-s-5-wifi-button-to-track-baby-data-794214b0bdd8 (https://medium.com/@edwardbenson/how-i-hacked-amazon-s-5-wifi-button-to-track-baby-data-794214b0bdd8)....
These things are easier than Geordi La Forge.... modifying his visor.
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These things are easier than Geordi La Forge.... modifying his visor.
LOL! I figured that of everyone here, you would be most excited about playing with this, HA Dave! You've probably ordered some already!
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LOL! I figured that of everyone here, you would be most excited about playing with this, HA Dave!
I think nyc2 has the right idea.
I hope my local pizza guy gets one of those gadgets!
Maybe modify one of those buttons to order a pizza on-line...........
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I agree! The trick would be writing the script that emulates a person ordering a pizza on the web site and then keeping it updated when the site changes. Why, oh why do pizza delivery companies not provide APIs? rofl
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Maybe modify one of those buttons to order a pizza on-line...........
About 20 years ago, before there was online, I created an application that used text-to-speech to enable those who had lost the ability to speak (ALS, CP, etc.) to use a PC or laptop and, optionally, a speakerphone modem or speakerphone sans modem, to communicate. The initial use of one young man with CP was to phone for pizza. The more things change...
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....... The initial use of one young man with CP was to phone for pizza. The more things change...
So true. And after I posted I realized.... (now with the iPhone's new 9 iOS) with my phone in it's normal charging dock position I can say "hey Siri" and then voice command the number to dial. I don't even need to lower the volume on the TV. So I can order a pizza... literally... without lifting a finger.