dennis s. hurddennis s. hurd

Sunday, November 04, 2018

Smart Life vs Magic Home

I have six lights around the apartment which are set up in Google Home and can be controlled through any of our smart speakers.

Setting them up in the Smart Life Android app is pretty much a no-brainer. One just holds a button or switches the bulb on and off a couple of times. When the light starts blinking, it is easily paired with the app through a wifi signal. Next, the app is 'linked' to the Google Home app.

Saying, "Hey Google, turn on the dining table lamp and set it to 55% brightness," is fun the first few times. It remains useful even after the fun has worn off. I have a 'routine' for further automation. When I shout, "Okay Google, get ready for bed," a whole series of lighting adjustments occur. It is easy.

2018_11_04

However, trying to set up an LED strip with the device shown above is difficult and ultimately useless.

One has to open the Magic Home app and then log-in to a temporary IP address created by the controller itself. After that, it prompts to add the real wifi and password and connects the controller to it. Getting it running in Google Home is pretty much the same as mentioned previously.

However, these controllers often drop signal and appear 'offline'. I almost always have to control the strip with a small battery-powered remote which came in the package. If your only experience with home automation is through a similar LED strip, please understand that all other products perform in a superior manner.


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