My first gen Chromecast works fine, this will work with any of them, or TV’s that are “CAST” ready as I understand it.
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Yes it does.
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What about miracast? my TV has that built in
Nope, only the Google version. I tried with my miracast TV as well, doesn’t see it.
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I tried that already. My old Miracast is not detected by GH app in order to cast to it as a device.
You do know that the “always on microphone” does not mean that the device is “always sending data”, right?
Yes, I’m sure that Amazon, Wynn or both went to the trouble to customize the device…rather than, oh, I don’t know…just disable ordering in the associated Amazon account(s).
If Wynn was inclined to do that, why wouldn’t they just install far cheaper devices surreptitiously rather than ordering thousands of expensive Echos AND spending a boat load of money modifying them too?
A bit of rational caution is a good thing, but you’re well into irrational paranoia here.
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But…but…but…NSA? 
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Some might say so. I know I have nothing to worry about though regardless of whether I have anything to hide or not.
You wouldn’t use a strange laptop to do your banking or plug in a USB drive you find on the floor would you? Some might say not doing those things is irrational paranoia too. 
And those “some” would be everyone who knows enough about how these things work to make informed comments rather than engaging in ill-informed wild speculation.
[quote=“viguera, post:1197, topic:48191”]I know I have nothing to worry about though regardless of whether I have anything to hide or not.
You wouldn’t use a strange laptop to do your banking or plug in a USB drive you find on the floor would you? Some might say not doing those things is irrational paranoia too. [/quote]
Not anyone with any knowledge about those things and the ability to think critically.
Seriously, be as irrationally afraid as you want. But there are folks who are new to all this stuff and they don’t need to be scared off from availing themselves of useful technology because of nonsense being spread on forums that are supposed to be sources of information.
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So your argument is that these people will somehow be scared off from engaging in the Amazon Echo / home automation ecosystem and that’s bad for… Smartthings as a platform? Or something to that effect?
Seriously though… There are serious, unanswered privacy concerns about both Amazon and Google when it comes to how they handle your data or how their always-on systems work. We (myself included) choose to either ignore this or at least stay informed about their capabilities. Just because I express this doesn’t make me any more irrational than the next guy, nor is it going to sink Samsung into the ground by scaring people off.
But please, go ahead and point out how some of us are living in a cave wearing tinfoil hats and scaring off the newbies and driving down adoption because the NSA convinced Amazon to take off the blinking light off their giant microphone we gladly put in our houses. I have better things to do.
Well, given that I never said a word about ST you’re bordering on a strawman here. No, my argument is that peddling ignorance-based tin-foil nonsense about useful technologies (in this case the Echo) is silly and counterproductive.
No, there are not any serious unanswered questions about how the Echo’s always-listening system works. What exactly do you think is a mystery about that?
[quote=“viguera, post:1199, topic:48191”]
Just because I express this doesn’t make me any more irrational than the next guy, nor is it going to sink Samsung into the ground by scaring people off.[/quote]
What does sinking Samsung have to do with baseless speculation about the Amazon Echo?
[quote=“viguera, post:1199, topic:48191”]
But please, go ahead and point out how some of us are living in a cave wearing tinfoil hats and scaring off the newbies and driving down adoption because the NSA convinced Amazon to take off the blinking light off their giant microphone we gladly put in our houses.[/quote]
Gee…and here I thought you were some kind of conspiracy nut.
I look at it like this. Have you ever ventured past your front door? Yes… most likely. Gone to the local grocery store? Probably so…
My point is this, try going anywhere at any time and think you are actually experiencing privacy. You are always on camera, always! There are microphones out there listening to you, all of the time.
Do you think the FBI foils those terrorist plots because of the concerns of some kindly citizen? Yeah right…
There is no such thing as privacy. Only the illusion of privacy.
For every person that says some crazy conspiracy theory nonsense about the “Ever listening microphones” of the Echo… throw away your phone, get off of your computer, and get rid of every single device in your home and in your existence that has a microphone in it. And then, when you think you are done… go check all the rest of the stuff in your house… you’d be amazed what has a mic… my fridge has one… and it’s not even a smart fridge.
So, honestly, the only way you’re going to get any privacy… you have to live in a box… 6 feet under ground.
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Back on topic…
Google Home released their Actions on Google interface last week. Last night, I noticed an explosion of services now available. Two days ago, there was only Uber. This is an exciting time to use a Google Home!
But as far as GH working with SmartThings, so far I’ve been happy with the native integration and the IFTTT integration.
Screenshot of services now available (stitched together, so open, zoom, and scroll):
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For me, the form factor is a huge problem. I hang the Echo Dots on walls and ceilings. You can’t do that with the big Echo, and you can’t do it with GH. It takes up too much table/counter real estate for what it is. I don’t really want a Glade/Airwick looking thing on my tables.
The GH initial effort is like the original Echo in that it pretends to be a useful speaker. I’ve heard both, and there’s no way I would make either the foundation of a home audio system. They both distort quickly. So when Google comes out with a small and unobtrusive device, I’ll gladly dive in. By that time it will be much better developed… until then, Alexa and her EchoDots run the show.
Btw, I had to purchase a half-dozen more Dots to hand out as gifts. Where folks thought my smart home setup to be interesting before, when they witness the voice interaction they are now saying “WOW AWESOME can I get that?” lol. My stepsister and my Dad both have Nest thermostats, so they are getting Dots in addition to their other gifts.
The race between Echo and GH is gonna be terrific for us. Both are increasing skills and usability almost by the day.
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~8.4 square inches too much table/counter surface space for the functionality provided by the Echo?
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You should get some connected speakers around the house… and then check out EchoSistant…
Short answer: yes it is. Long answer: my house does not have lots of table space or counter space, and I abhor clutter. And since the tall-boy Echo’s sound is not that good, I see no value in having it vs the Dot. Especially at triple the price.
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Can’t record in most states as there is a two party consent. Most CCTV is video only.
that’s not for recording… what do you mean?
Sign in front hallway:
“By entering this building, you consent to video and/or audio recordings of any or all actions and interactions that occur while you are present in this building.”