My Google Home Journal

Ok, the easiest step to get you started on home automation is to get a harmony hub. This will take care of controlling whatever you can control using infrared remote control This harmony hub cost me US$104 including Amazon shipping direct to Singapore. The remote controller is optional, which I dont need it at this point of time. The harmony hub comes with an additional IR blaster, which comes in handy if you need to control those equipment in the enclosed TV cabinet. Setting it up is very straight forward and I shall skip that technical part. This harmony hub powered by a USB socket from my WIFI router, works surprisingly well. Once done, the equipments can now be controlled via Google Home through the IFTTT. I spent a good 3 hours to get the following equipments working for the voice controlled. - Starhub TV box - Samsung TV - Xiaomi TV box - Haiku fan - Mitsubishi air-conditioner

Google Home was launched on 04 Nov 2016 and have promised to be a strong competitor of Amazon Echo. I have decided to take the plunge when they offered a USD30 discount during the Black Friday(25 Nov 16) period. While I was at it, I thought might as well grab a Chromecast together to ride on the shipping fees. The all trust worthy EZBUY was giving a 50% discount to all shipping fee and no agent fee. All added up to S$200, with another S$13 for shipping to Singapore and delivering to my door step. Yes, I think Walmart was having a overwhelming number of sales during the Black Friday, both items only arrived at the EZBUY address on 18 Dec 2016, 3 weeks later after the order was placed. The item later took another 2.5weeks to arrive at my doorstep. EZBUY was having their fair share of load issues on their side that was accumulated from the mad number of 11 Nov sales in China. Brushed away the frustration on the delay, shopping is suppose to be something happy