Hi, this is being worked on. Since we dont have access to all possible hardware to test, could you PM me your Smartthings email so I can check how these ZEN devices behave? Thanks!
We first try to decide what type of device it is based on capabilities (e.g. if it has switch and color control we can be fairly certain it is a light bulb) and then DTH name. However, this obviously wont work if it is a generic zigbee switch for example since we don’t know if that is a switch, an outlet or what is connected to the device (light, fan etc). Hence, we fallback on device name as you guys have already figured out trying to see primarily if it is a light or not, and possibly if it is an outlet.
Now both Google and Amazon allow you to change a device to a light which is basically the only safe way since only the owner of the device will know what it ultimately represents. This feature would be useful to add to the SmartThings app as well.
yes it would, along with updating the icon when the setting is changed.
I don’t have the dual devices, I came across posts while trying to figure out the switch / light name
Thanks for that insight! I think part of the problem might be in the Alexa app. Changing the switch to a light in Alexa doesn’t do anything but add it to the light category. It still doesn’t treat it as a light. You can tell because it still says “power level” not “brightness”
I knew the color control had something to do as it shows up on the Alexa side when the switch contains the word “light” (and the others).
That’s what made me add the word “light” I have one switch named “master fan light” and it was working and it had the color control field…
Just being a “light“ doesn’t mean that it’s dimmable on the Alexa platform. From the Alexa point of view defining something as a “light“ is mainly used to include it in the generic “Alexa, turn the lights off“ Voice command.
“ Treating it as a light“ is different from “treating it as a dimmer.“
The Alexa API offers skills designers multiple different device controls. There is percentage controller, brightness controller, and power controller. These are similar to smartthings “capabilities.“
It is up to the skills author, in this case smartthings, to tell Amazon which controller, if any, to use with any given device. This in turn affects the voice commands that will be accepted for that device.
Changing a device from “light“ to “switch“ in the Alexa app does not change which of these controller options are assigned to it. It just changes the icon in the Alexa app and whether or not it is included in the generic “lights“ commands.
All of this is documented in the Alexa developer documentation for writing smart home skills.
Yep - still behaves like a switch.
@Lars if anything, maybe add the word dimmer to that list of light indicators since that’s is in the default name for most dimmer switches.
If it initially loads with “dimmer” set the device interface as light.
I get your point, but there is also the scenario that if the switches are in an Alexa group by themselves as switches (without “light” in the name), it will lower the power level just fine. It just can’t do brightness and power level in the same group. That tells me smartthings is giving access to it with power levels, just Alexa isn’t hitting it correctly.
We have a problem on both sides of the equation…
I would have to respectfully disagree. Again, mixed groups are working fine on other platforms.
The Amazon API is very well documented, including what happens if you include multiple characteristics for one device.
I sent a PM along with detailed information about what isn’t working. The parent device which turns on both outlets simultaneously works just fine (Classic app, New App & Alexa).
The child device, which allows control of each outlet independently is what is broken. It only works in the classic app.
Thank you for looking into this for me. Feel free to email me with additional questions.
I’ll definitely take a look at that.
Mine also says it was updated 3 days ago.
Updates doesn’t necessarily mean anything has changed feature wise, just changing translations, descriptions etc… Most of the technical updates are done without this changing.
Lars, can we please have an update on what is slowing things down and hopefull an ETA for the fix?
I don’t get how it wouldn’t know a dimmer switch is a light. My GE switch uses the dimmer switch dth.
It shouldn’t matter the name of it
So good news and bad news over here with the new app involving Alexa routines:
Good:
- All sensor driven routines that turn things ON or ALERT based on motion detected or door openings are working.
For example, I have a routine for turning the basement lights on when it detects motion.
I also have a routine to make an announcement when the front door is opened (toddler is a flight risk).
Both those types of routines are working fine within Alexa.
Bad:
- All motion sensor driven routines that involve NO MOTION detected for X minutes don’t appear to be firing.
For example: I have a routine setup to turn off the basement lights if no motion has been detected for 30 minutes. I can see now that no motion has been detected on the device for 41 minutes. My basement lights are still on as I type this.
Anyone else experiencing this?
Is it a smart lighting automaton? I have one for my closet and it is working.
No, it’s an Alexa routine, I guess I should’ve specified that. Doh!