I was able to get the screen to screen navigation finally working after some digging in, mainly using &command& for screen command and also the tap or similar action of previous screen worked. I am although stumped at how clean your interface looks. Specifically the background images you've used, any possibility that you might share the resources on it, or perhaps what resolution the images need to be, to fit the screen, as no matter what I pick either goes horizontal or vertical, but doesn't look as good as yours, also I seem to get colors on the 4 button screen even though I have turned it off for all 5 options, any help would be much appreciated.

Haha, thanks! Having two kids got in the way of updates! There's much more to show. I'm not a great content creator as you can see. Can't compete with the big boys!

This is a smart home automation demonstration video. Literally every detail will be covered. If you don't like it, watch reviews.

@@LogicDoesStuff huh

I just like automating stuff. Thanks for taking the time to comment, boss.

Yes indeed the normal play/pause buttons work :)

Ben Terry thank you!

Thanks Cat. I now have multiple Echo devices dotted around the house, so Alexa hears me wherever I am (almost!)

Concrete Jungle indeed - I need to do some updating! Cheers

Will Ford You can thank my nearly-11-month-old daughter for that ;-) Hopefully soon!

Hi Greg, sure, happy to help! Fortunately, it's becoming easier and easier to achieve the sorts of things you've seen in my video. It just comes down to buying the right products for which a Smart Home 'Skill' exists for the Amazon Echo. Each smart device vendor has their own app for which an account must be set up, with a username and password. These accounts can then be 'Linked' with Alexa, in order that you can control these devices by voice. So, the different products I use are as follows: - Main ceiling lights = LightwaveRF dimmers, controlled via the LightwaveRF link, wich in turn is controlled via the LightwaveRF 'Skill' for Alexa - Curtains = Dooya motorised curtain rails connected to LightwaveRF relay switches, controlled as per the main ceiling lights - Lamps = Philips Hue bulbs, controlled by the Hue Bridge, which is supported natively by the Echo (no Skill needed, it'll just find the devices straight away) - Kettle = Smarter WiFi Kettle, the base itself has WiFi and there is now an Alexa skill for this - Heating = Nest Learning Thermostat - the thermostat is connected to WiFi and there is a skill for this for Alexa - TVs and other entertainment gear = Logitech Harmony Ultimate - This is an IR hub connected to WiFi - again, a skill exists for this for Alexa You need to set up your devices in each vendor's application and then - once done - you can ask Alexa to 'discover devices'. You should then be able to voice control your home to your heart's content! Let me know if you need any more info. There are products out there that will help you automate/voice-control just about anything (within reason!).

Ben Terry Thank you so much I've quickly scanned the web and it would appear that certain companies (hive would be one) offer the smart home service for as little as £5.99 per month. Can I be cheeky and ask for a ballpark figure of what the system cost you?

No problem at all :) The below prices may have come down since I bought everything: - Amazon Echo - £150 - Amazon Echo Dot - £50 x 4 - LightwaveRF link - £90 - LightwaveRF dimmers - £45 x 10 - Dooya motorised curtain rails - £125 x 5 - LightwaveRF relay switches - £30 x 5 - Philips Hue Bridge - £50 - Philips Hue bulbs - £50 x 8 (dimming/colour) £25 (dimming only) - Smarter WiFi Kettle - £100 - Nest Learning Thermostat - £190 - Logitech Harmony Ultimate - £250 (you only need the hub for voice control - £65) So, not including the TV/Amp/Consoles, I've spent around £2655, just on the gadgets.

Ben Terry that's amazing thank you. For the heating is the modification just a gadget that can run the thermostats? is this sort of thing something that needs to be done by someone who is a specialist? One more...do you have anywhere for the equipment in mind that you would recommend? Or is it simply web search thing?

No problem :) The heating is the most complicated thing to install, and is the one thing I didn't do myself. It might be easier now, though - let me explain; In my case, I have a 2nd generation Nest learning thermostat. Nest are an American company. In the US, their 'normal' room thermostats (downstairs, on the wall, normally in the hallway) run on 12 volts. In the UK, our room thermostats run on 240 volts. So, in the UK, you can't simply swap the thermostat for a Nest, otherwise the 240v feed will blow it up. Instead, you have to install a second component - the 'Heat Link' that sits between your thermostat and your programmer (the timer). So, the heat link replaces the timer function for the heating, as well as the Nest thermostat itself, which goes where your old thermostat used to be. The 2nd gen heat link did not replace your programmer altogether, though - you still needed that to control your hot water on/off times, so you ended up with an extra box (the heat link) next to the programmer, wired up in a more complicated manner. Now, though, the 3rd Gen Nest thermostat also controls your hot water. This means that you can dispense with your traditional programmer and thermostat and just have the Nest heat link and thermostat. I'm not 100% sure, but I think this means that the programmer/heat link would therefore be a 'straight swap' and much easier to get your head around. Nest publishes a list of 'approved' installers on their website - I would recommend using one of them. Of course, you could choose another type altogether (e.g. Hive), but I'm afraid I don't know how they are installed - I suspect it would be in much the same way as the nest, i.e. you replace your programmer with a seperate box to the thermostat itself. Most of my stuff came from Amazon, apart from the motorised curtain rails and blinds - these came from bestblinds.aliexpress.com/store/all-wholesale-products/605802.html A great resource for all things home automation is www.vesternet.com There's also a Facebook group called 'Amazon Echo UK Users', where people share lots of tips and tricks about Alexa, as well as discussing home automation products.

Damon are you using an ir blaster such as a harmony hub or a broad link rm pro? Or a smart plug? Because smart plugs will not power on your tv only cut off or on power to the unit hence why you need to physically power it on

Hi Zachary, sorry for the delay, check out the following page: bestblinds.aliexpress.com/store/all-wholesale-products/605802.html

Thanks! Good question... Between £1500 and £2000 I think for all the smart lighting, Harmony Hub, WiFi Kettle, curtain motors, relays, etc.

Hi Dale, they're made by Dooya - check out AliExpress.com and search for blind motors. Really cheap compared with Somfy

Thanks! :)

No I 9

Well you answered my question in the video...Thanks, that would be really helpful!