@HA Dave - Neither Alexa or Google home require you to spend anything other than buying the device. ...
True... you could re-order Amazon product(s), turn on a light, or get weather, etc.. But Music is a big use product for Amazons device and the free tunes do require a prime membership. Plus... the broadband connection and for most ways it's used, a smart phone and connection.
Far more capital connections than an X10 transceiver and a remote.
.Have you done anything with geofencing/geolocation?
No.
Not yet. Hard to believe I've gotten much done around the house (and with my hobbies) at all... considering the weather we've had (and my own disruptions). Even though I do try to dedicate.....
the cold months after the New Year... and before the warmer cycling and mowing weather to Home Automation projects. I've been doing things with my setup all year.
Hence the experiment with a radar lightbulb. Last year.... I committed to reimagining (reinventing) my Home Automation setup..... and it's really has proven to be a worthwhile and interesting experiment. My proudest X10 macro/accomplishment...
my garage door macro.... is no longer a macro (or X10) at all. My garage door status is part cloud based MyQ robot and part Homeseer program. And still awaits a geolocation command to close the door.
Don't get me wrong.... I love what I've been able to do with a CM15A (and a computer running 24/7) over the years. But it's just not in my nature to leave well enough alone.
I just picked up a Nest, (3rd gen, WiFi, learning,) thermostat. The local power and gas company's are both offering rebates... while Home Depot (and everywhere else) has them on sale. Which turned the once pricey smart device into a $79 money/energy saver. I couldn't past it up.
It is supposed to (be able to) use phone location for set-back/turn-on functions.