Google Home Hub

Tinder Surprise · 22-11-2018 10:27am

BOUGHT ONE..OK FFS ENOUGH!!!

Can we stop now please, or I will be broke and divorced before Monday

*heads straight back over to Bargain Alerts for a browse

bk · 22-11-2018 10:32am

OU812 wrote: »

Mines just been delivered to parcel motel but apparently I’m not allowed open it until Xmas morning

Same here

whatawaster · 22-11-2018 10:32am

OU812 wrote: »

Mines just been delivered to parcel motel but apparently I’m not allowed open it until Xmas morning

Did you order from the ebay store or the regular google store?

Ordered from ebay store on Monday, was due to be delivered to Parcel Motel yesterday but still no sign. What am I supposed to do with my weekend if this doesn't arrive?!

Tinder Surprise · 22-11-2018 10:35am

bk wrote: »

Same here

Idea..gonna wrap it and hand to my better half and tell her 'Look I saved you the hassle this year and I got a great deal on it too'

just hope she doesn't notice the other dozen pieces of electronic scattered around the house, or look in my wardrobe :eek:

OU812 · 22-11-2018 10:47am

whatawaster wrote: »

Did you order from the ebay store or the regular google store?

Ordered from ebay store on Monday, was due to be delivered to Parcel Motel yesterday but still no sign. What am I supposed to do with my weekend if this doesn't arrive?!

eBay store. Took a day longer to ship than initially advised. Expecting a delay of a day or so to PM also

OldMrBrennan83 · 22-11-2018 10:56am

Google still haven't got back to me on whether I can send back the one I ordered last night.

mx5ire · 22-11-2018 1:32pm

So i have some questions, some of them probably dumb, about some of this home tech, before i jump in. About to buy a google home hub, so want to make sure that i understand some of potential issues/ options:

1. In terms of smart bulbs - i guess you need to leave ceiling type spots / pendants switched on with the traditional wall switch all the time (to get power). Then do you simply use Voice /tablet / phone to switch them of at bedtime etc ? My real query here is can you turn them on without using voice / phone etc - e.g. Go downstairs at 3am for a glass of water, not awake, cannot speak, google doesn't understand me, or more likely, the wife will throw all the smart bulbs it out the window if they are faffy to use and cannot be turned on easily in a moment of need, running in to grab something on the way out the door etc.

2. smart plugs or bulbs for sitting room / dining room tables / floor lamps ? I have two TP link smart plugs already and use them as timers as well - so i am happy enough with plugs. Any real advantage with bulbs instead ?

3. Will pick up some Ikea gu10 smartbulbs for kitchen / dining area this weekend - and the remote & gateway things, any reason not to use ikea stuff. It now integrates with google etc.

Help appreciated!

bk · 22-11-2018 1:52pm

mx5ire wrote: »

So i have some questions, some of them probably dumb, about some of this home tech, before i jump in. About to buy a google home hub, so want to make sure that i understand some of potential issues/ options:

1. In terms of smart bulbs - i guess you need to leave ceiling type spots / pendants switched on with the traditional wall switch all the time (to get power). Then do you simply use Voice /tablet / phone to switch them of at bedtime etc ? My real query here is can you turn them on without using voice / phone etc - e.g. Go downstairs at 3am for a glass of water, not awake, cannot speak, google doesn't understand me, or more likely, the wife will throw all the smart bulbs it out the window if they are faffy to use and cannot be turned on easily in a moment of need, running in to grab something on the way out the door etc.

If need be, you can just flick the switch off and back on again to turn on most smart bulbs, well Hue bulbs anyway.

Most of us also end up getting smart wireless dimmer switches to cover physical control like this.

mx5ire wrote: »

2. smart plugs or bulbs for sitting room / dining room tables / floor lamps ? I have two TP link smart plugs already and use them as timers as well - so i am happy enough with plugs. Any real advantage with bulbs instead ?

Only if your interested in white ambiance or colour features of smart bulbs.

mx5ire wrote: »

3. Will pick up some Ikea gu10 smartbulbs for kitchen / dining area this weekend - and the remote & gateway things, any reason not to use ikea stuff. It now integrates with google etc.

Help appreciated!

I personally feel Hue is far superior to Ikea. More options, greater variety of products, pretty much integrated with everything else. Outstanding integration.

I've my Hue bulbs integrated with the following:
- Nest Smoke alarms, if they detect smoke, all the lights turn on to help you escape
- Yale security system, if someone breaks in all Hue lights start flashing red, basically turning your entire home into an alarm box

- Logitech harmony remotes, you can have the lights automatically dimm when you turn on the TV to watch a movie.

And that doesn't include the integrations with Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, Stringify, IFTTT, etc.

Plus loads of cool third party apps available for Hue, that do cool light effects at Halloween, Christmas, etc.

It is just such a rich ecosystem.

Now Hue is normally more expensive then Ikea, but during sales like tomorrow, you can usually get them for the same or just a very slight more then the Ikea bulbs. Worth it IMO.

BTW The Ikea bulbs can be made to work with the Hue hub too, so keep that in mind.

mx5ire · 22-11-2018 2:37pm

bk wrote: »

Only if your interested in white ambiance or colour features of smart bulbs.

Now Hue is normally more expensive then Ikea, but during sales like tomorrow, you can usually get them for the same or just a very slight more then the Ikea bulbs. Worth it IMO.

BTW The Ikea bulbs can be made to work with the Hue hub too, so keep that in mind.

Thanks for all that. I guess my only real issue with Hue is that i feel violated paying some of the prices !

So to start with Hue setup - i guess i need a Starter kit, hub etc, and some bulbs. Do the bulbs do White and Colour or do i need to buy actual specific colour bulbs ? Or are the plain whites just single cheaper ones ?

So if i did go with the Hue setup, i could get the Ikea Gu10's for the ceiling spots and connect them to the Hue hub.

I have a lot of investigations to do before tomorrows hopeful price drops !

Kintarō Hattori · 22-11-2018 2:55pm

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

Just ordered one there myself, what sort of functionality does the screen bring to the home? Can I tell it to ignore my emails for example? Like I just bought a Christmas present for the wife online and I got an email about the order to my Gmail, would she be able to see this on the Home Hub then??

You won't get any email notifications on it so you're safe.

bk · 22-11-2018 3:16pm

mx5ire wrote: »

So to start with Hue setup - i guess i need a Starter kit, hub etc, and some bulbs. Do the bulbs do White and Colour or do i need to buy actual specific colour bulbs ? Or are the plain whites just single cheaper ones ?

Best to start with a starter kit that includes a couple of bulbs and hub.

Early on the week, they had three colour bulbs, a hub and echo dot on amazon for £90 which is actually a lot cheaper then Ikea. I suspect this deal will come up again tomorrow/Monday.

Getting stuff during these sales can bring the price down to equivalent or even less.

Hue bulbs come in three types:
- White only
- White Ambiance, can set the white to different temperatures, like bright white like in an office or more of a candle white. I find this very handy and worth it over white only.
- Colour and White Ambiance, do both the above White Ambiance and loads of colours.

mx5ire wrote: »

So if i did go with the Hue setup, i could get the Ikea Gu10's for the ceiling spots and connect them to the Hue hub.

Yep. Though keep an eye out on the Hue GU10's too, they were on sale earlier this week too.

mx5ire · 22-11-2018 5:11pm

So a little bit of reading this afternoon around what i need:

Most of my pendant or floorlights use an E14 bulb.

Hue dont seem to have a 3 colour bulb starter kit in E14 size - nearest i can find is a two white bulb with Gateway setup for 89 Stg on Amazon.

Hue says their gateway can support 50 odd bulbs, an ikea gateway only 10 at a time.

So - i could buy the Hue gateway, and pair it with 2,3 or 4 etc E14 Hues (or Ikeas if i only want white), and then use Ikea GU10's in the ceiling. I need 15 in the kitchen areas, and another 10 in the hall area. Assuming that i can use the same Hue hub with the rooms/bulbs divided out on Hue App or google home app, then this might just work for me.

bk · 22-11-2018 5:25pm

mx5ire wrote: »

So a little bit of reading this afternoon around what i need:

Most of my pendant or floorlights use an E14 bulb.

Hue dont seem to have a 3 colour bulb starter kit in E14 size - nearest i can find is a two white bulb with Gateway setup for 89 Stg on Amazon.

Are E14 to E27 converters any good to you, note the bulbs are bigger and the adaptor might cause them to stick out:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luminosa-Adapter-Converter-Halogen-Convertor/dp/B078JJHRPV/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542907130&sr=8-3&keywords=e14+to+e27+converter

The Hue starter kits aren't really on sale at the moment, they were earlier this week. I'd wait until tomorrow and Monday to see what pops up.

BTW The E14 Hues are pretty new, so less likely to be a deal on those.

Another option woyld be to change fitting to E27

mx5ire wrote: »

Hue says their gateway can support 50 odd bulbs, an ikea gateway only 10 at a time.

Hue is actually more like 64, I think Andy has hit that limit or is close to it :eek:

mx5ire wrote: »

So - i could buy the Hue gateway, and pair it with 2,3 or 4 etc E14 Hues (or Ikeas if i only want white), and then use Ikea GU10's in the ceiling. I need 15 in the kitchen areas, and another 10 in the hall area. Assuming that i can use the same Hue hub with the rooms/bulbs divided out on Hue App or google home app, then this might just work for me.

With so many GU10's if you are only looking for white only, then a cheaper option might be a smart switch that allows you to control all with one switch.

Either a wifi switch, that will work with Google Home etc. Or there is also an official zigbee switch that seemingly is supposed to work with the Hue hub, might be an option (note I haven't tried it, so no guarantee).

Also note that smart switches are complicated, ideally you need to make sure you have neutral at the switch, most require it, but not common in older Irish homes.

Stoner · 22-11-2018 5:42pm

bk wrote:

With so many GU10's if you are only looking for white only, then a cheaper option might be a smart switch that allows you to control all with one switch.

I'd say white Ikea GU10 is a good option

The Philips and Ikea smart lamps dim very well, they have a soft on off that IMO adds to lamp life.

I've 6 colour Philips GU10s but it was an expensive punt.

Where they are not the main light source I find the white Ikea fittings are decent enough certainly for 7 euro

A good dimmable LED is about 4 or 5 euro and a smart switch is expensive and hard to match for correct LED dimming

If its a room with 2 to 4 GU10 14 to 28 Euro is ok for smart functions IMO

On off is easier but harder on the lamp

Also with smart lamps you can individually switch and dim each lamp, not that you'd need to do that but some might.

I've used it for movie nights sometimes.

I've trialled some zigbee inline switches

One is fine on smarthings not working on hie hub though

mx5ire · 22-11-2018 6:09pm

Food for thought in both of those replies !

When i say 15 gu10 spots in the kitchen, i should have said that they are spread over 3 switches on 1 switch unit, so 1x6, 1x6 and 1x3. Unusual to have them all on at once too. So not sure that i need to change the switch at all. Same story in the hall, all spots spread over 2 switches. Less worried about the hall for the moment though.

The gu10's are the light source for reading etc, but they can be a bit harsh, and we have other over cupboard downlights (shining down the cupboard doors) for a more gentle relaxed light. However being able to dim the gu10's would be nice. Ikea do a 7 euro and a 15 euro one, i think the 15 is the only one that dims though.

So i am edging towards the Hue gateway and see if i can shoehorn the e27 bulbs into an e14 via a converter, changing the fittings is not an option due to lamp designs etc.

The individual Hue e14s are eye wateringly expensive, have to look out for deals tomorrow.

irishchris · 22-11-2018 10:32pm

mx5ire wrote: »

Food for thought in both of those replies !

When i say 15 gu10 spots in the kitchen, i should have said that they are spread over 3 switches on 1 switch unit, so 1x6, 1x6 and 1x3. Unusual to have them all on at once too. So not sure that i need to change the switch at all. Same story in the hall, all spots spread over 2 switches. Less worried about the hall for the moment though.

The gu10's are the light source for reading etc, but they can be a bit harsh, and we have other over cupboard downlights (shining down the cupboard doors) for a more gentle relaxed light. However being able to dim the gu10's would be nice. Ikea do a 7 euro and a 15 euro one, i think the 15 is the only one that dims though.

So i am edging towards the Hue gateway and see if i can shoehorn the e27 bulbs into an e14 via a converter, changing the fittings is not an option due to lamp designs etc.

The individual Hue e14s are eye wateringly expensive, have to look out for deals tomorrow.

Have hue lights setup through my house here and went with ikea €8 tradfri gu10s. 6 in kitchen and 4 in hall. Work perfectly with hue hub in the hue app and also with google home and alexa. You can zone each area in the app with specific gu10s and find they work perfectly as well as the more expensive hue with ask the same functionality. Have some ikea e14 bulbs coming this week too so hoping they work as well as the gu10s have for the last year.

Now to order the Google home hub :-)

CantGetNoSleep · 23-11-2018 6:34am

irishchris wrote: »

Have hue lights setup through my house here and went with ikea €8 tradfri gu10s. 6 in kitchen and 4 in hall. Work perfectly with hue hub in the hue app and also with google home and alexa. You can zone each area in the app with specific gu10s and find they work perfectly as well as the more expensive hue with ask the same functionality. Have some ikea e14 bulbs coming this week too so hoping they work as well as the gu10s have for the last year.

Now to order the Google home hub :-)

I'm going for something similar today too - would you definitely go for a Hue hub over Ikea's own one? I only have the Floalt panel so far

slicedpanman · 23-11-2018 6:53am

Yesterday I'd ordered the home hub and hello doorbell in the UK Google store (to deliver to parcel motel) but this morning I see that Google have cancelled my order due to "suspicious activity"... Anyone else ever get that?

I've emailed them and asked for the order to be reactivated

adox · 23-11-2018 7:20am

Mines been cancelled too.

CantGetNoSleep · 23-11-2018 7:30am

Any physical shops in London doing this deal?

OldMrBrennan83 · 23-11-2018 7:34am

slicedpanman wrote: »

Yesterday I'd ordered the home hub and hello doorbell in the UK Google store (to deliver to parcel motel) but this morning I see that Google have cancelled my order due to "suspicious activity"... Anyone else ever get that?

I've emailed them and asked for the order to be reactivated

My Mrs had this recently when she ordered a customised case for the Pixel 2. She replied straight away (around 5 weeks ago) and they've yet to get back to her.

slicedpanman · 23-11-2018 8:14am

Patww79 wrote: »

slicedpanman wrote: »

Yesterday I'd ordered the home hub and hello doorbell in the UK Google store (to deliver to parcel motel) but this morning I see that Google have cancelled my order due to "suspicious activity"... Anyone else ever get that?

I've emailed them and asked for the order to be reactivated

My Mrs had this recently when she ordered a customised case for the Pixel 2. She replied straight away (around 5 weeks ago) and they've yet to get back to her.

Thanks... Not encouraging

mightybashful · 23-11-2018 8:17am

Dicks cancelled my order too

OldMrBrennan83 · 23-11-2018 8:21am

I've one dispatched that I don't want because it was full whack, wish they'd done the same to me.

Ha Long Bay · 23-11-2018 8:38am

The Hub is still available at £99 on the smarthomeuk eBay site. Received mine yesterday via PM.

bk · 23-11-2018 8:45am

Yikes, sorry lads! My Hub got dispatched, phew

Sheep Shagger · 23-11-2018 8:47am

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Any physical shops in London doing this deal?

John Lewis instore and online showing it at £99 now

bk · 23-11-2018 8:48am

mx5ire wrote: »

Most of my pendant or floorlights use an E14 bulb.

Great deal on Amazon at the moment on 3 E14 bulbs, perfect for you, great price for them:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-White-Colour-Ambience-3-Pack/dp/B076BWQ7J7?ref_=Oct_DLandingS_PC_e0e46690_NA&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Note, it doesn't include a bridge, so you will either need to also keep an eye out for a deal on a starter kit with more bulbs that you might need or alternatively look for one on ebay,adverts, etc. Lots of folks end up with extra unneeded bridges from buying starter deals and sell them cheap.

Tinder Surprise · 23-11-2018 9:01am

bk wrote: »

Yikes, sorry lads! My Hub got dispatched, phew

mine too ..Phew

Sheep Shagger · 23-11-2018 9:16am

Order cancelled too...Littlewoods have for €115 so ordered that.

https://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/google-home-hub/1600320026.prd?_requestid=57992&Ntt=google home hub

Atomic Pineapple · 23-11-2018 9:38am

My order is still pending. I used Parcel Motel and an Irish debit card. Did anyone who got their order dispatched happen to do anything different? Perhaps use Revolut and pay in sterling?

slicedpanman · 23-11-2018 9:39am

Follow up on mine... After comments above didn't wait for a reply to my mail

Requested a call back - got called back almost instantly; was informed it was cancelled as a result of a block on the tran from the credit card co - marked as fraud...

Not too surprising - UK store to a (first time used UK address - parcel motel)

So rang the card co, they cleared the fraud flag and suggested I try the tran again (btw callback guy from Google says once cancelled order is dead, you need a new one)

New order in... Fingers crossed

bk · 23-11-2018 9:46am

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

My order is still pending. I used Parcel Motel and an Irish debit card. Did anyone who got their order dispatched happen to do anything different? Perhaps use Revolut and pay in sterling?

I use ParcelWizard and a Revolut card with the address set on that to my PW address so that the delivery and billing address matches. I think doing that reduces issues with orders from the UK.

adox · 23-11-2018 9:52am

Ive just re-ordered so will see how it goes.

Same card and shipping address as on previous purchases so no idea why it was cancelled.

mightybashful · 23-11-2018 9:57am

slicedpanman wrote: »

Follow up on mine... After comments above didn't wait for a reply to my mail
Requested a call back - got called back almost instantly; was informed it was cancelled as a result of a block on the tran from the credit card co - marked as fraud...

Not too surprising - UK store to a (first time used UK address - parcel motel)

So rang the card co, they cleared the fraud flag and suggested I try the tran again (btw callback guy from Google says once cancelled order is dead, you need a new one)

New order in... Fingers crossed

How did request a call back?

adox · 23-11-2018 10:00am

Rang my credit card company to see if they could see anything.

They said that they saw two payments for Google. First one rejected and second one accepted so hopefully this one will be ok.

Atomic Pineapple · 23-11-2018 10:44am

bk wrote: »

I use ParcelWizard and a Revolut card with the address set on that to my PW address so that the delivery and billing address matches. I think doing that reduces issues with orders from the UK.

Mine was just canceled. How do you change the address on Revolut? Can't see anything in the app.

bk · 23-11-2018 10:47am

Atomic Pineapple wrote: »

Mine was just canceled. How do you change the address on Revolut? Can't see anything in the app.

More -> Profile -> Personal Details -> Home Address

Note leave the country as Ireland, I know that seems weird but it is Northern Ireland.

JDxtra · 23-11-2018 10:48am

Mine was ordered and shipped yesterday from the Google UK store, delivering it via AddressPal.

slicedpanman · 23-11-2018 11:21am

mightybashful wrote: »

slicedpanman wrote: »

Follow up on mine... After comments above didn't wait for a reply to my mail
Requested a call back - got called back almost instantly; was informed it was cancelled as a result of a block on the tran from the credit card co - marked as fraud...

Not too surprising - UK store to a (first time used UK address - parcel motel)

So rang the card co, they cleared the fraud flag and suggested I try the tran again (btw callback guy from Google says once cancelled order is dead, you need a new one)

New order in... Fingers crossed

How did request a call back?

Go to the contact us page, then Check my order statuses

Bored Accountant · 23-11-2018 11:37am

My order just got cancelled in last 10 minutes, so went and ordered from Littlewoods ireland. Works out about a euro cheaper as no Parcel Motel to pay for.

Atomic Pineapple · 23-11-2018 10:22pm

Reordered with address pal and revolut and it shipped without hassle. Never used address pal before so hopefully no issues.

adox · 23-11-2018 11:41pm

Although my second one wasn’t cancelled there was no sign of it moving so I cancelled it myself and reordered using Revolut.
Let’s hope this works at last.

A lot of pfaffing about. I don’t know what Google have done since my last purchases but it’s a PITA.

slicedpanman · 24-11-2018 10:37am

slicedpanman wrote: »

Follow up on mine... After comments above didn't wait for a reply to my mail
Requested a call back - got called back almost instantly; was informed it was cancelled as a result of a block on the tran from the credit card co - marked as fraud...

Not too surprising - UK store to a (first time used UK address - parcel motel)

So rang the card co, they cleared the fraud flag and suggested I try the tran again (btw callback guy from Google says once cancelled order is dead, you need a new one)

New order in... Fingers crossed

Humbug... Cancelled by Google UK again.
Time to check there is no block on my credit card again then off to Littlewoods

whatawaster · 24-11-2018 10:44am

Got my hub via parcel motel last night.

First thought was ... This is too small. It's tiny

But having used it I actually find the size perfect. I'm not ever going to sit and watch YouTube videos on this. I have a phone, a laptop, a chromecast and an iPad for that. It will be very handy for the kids to watch on though.

The screen is amazing. Photos look absurdly stunning.

Even a little thing like seeing what song is playing on Spotify makes a huge difference over the mini.

Sound seems comparable to the mini to me. I use a chromecast audio to a Sonos Play 5 so the sound is not a big deal to me.

This one is going in the living room but I'm already planning on getting one for the bedside locker

Delighted so far

jogdish · 24-11-2018 12:04pm

whatawaster wrote: »

Got my hub via parcel motel last night.

When did you order, mine was delivered to my address pal location yesterday, no idea how long An Post take for it to come here.

namloc1980 · 24-11-2018 12:22pm

Go to Littlewoods and use this code KPAJG and get 10% extra off. Get the Home Hub for €103. You can thank me later!

Moreilly · 24-11-2018 12:25pm

namloc1980 wrote: »

Go to Littlewoods and use this code KPAJG and get 10% extra off. Get the Home Hub for €103. You can thank me later!

getting 'not valid' on the code

namloc1980 · 24-11-2018 12:28pm

Moreilly wrote: »

getting 'not valid' on the code

Feck was working earlier.

whatawaster · 24-11-2018 12:49pm

jogdish wrote: »

When did you order, mine was delivered to my address pal location yesterday, no idea how long An Post take for it to come here.

I ordered on Monday

Google Home Hub

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