To make TV controls easier for my elderly mother-in-law, I have set up SmartThings app and Alexa skill to control her Samsung TV UN55MU6300 FXZC.
When using the SmartThings app (on iOS), I have an on-screen control panel that can do everything except turn on the TV (it indicates that capability is not available for that TV via the SmartThings app. Trying to control things using Alexa on her Echo, appears to only accept three commands: Turn Off TV, Mute TV, Unmute TV. It would be great if I could get the ability to raise and lower volume (not just mute/unmute). (Alexa indicates it cannot execute the command to raise or lower volume for the particular TV.) It would be nice also to get the TV to power on via Alexa as well, if that would be possible.
My questions: Could anyone suggest how/advise if I can somehow easily add TV volume control via Alexa. Could anyone suggest how/advise if I can somehow easily add On control via Alexa.
(I bought a “Flipper” Remote Control for the TV with a very simplified set of buttons (recommended by CNIB for older folks), but it is still a bit of a challenge for her. I also bought an Amazon plug, but did not install it, as I was concerned that it would really mess things up for her if she turned off the TV with an Amazon Alexa instruction to the plug, and then tried to turn it back on with her remote control for the TV. SmartThings integration seems to be the best option. But adding volume control and ON control would make it ideal. (She always watches the same CBC News Channel, so channel control is not really necessary.))
Thanks,