(Part 3) Best products from r/googlehome

At this time yesterday, we shared our installation demo video here. One guy asked me, there are so many Google Home Mini wall mounts on the market, what highlights of our products can stand out?

I think our product mainly solves three problems:

1. Concise and beautiful, hide all the power cords instead of partially hidden, retain the function of the microphone switch, and the appearance of the google home mini is a good match, is tailor-made for the MINI.
   
   
2. Cheap and safe, make full use of Mini original power adapter, they passed google more stringent factory testing and certification, but not hastily choose to use third-party
   
   
3. Whether hanging upwards or hanging downwards, it will not block the other jacks of the power outlet
   
   I do a 30% off deal here, only in Reddit. $9.9 Hope it not pricey.
   
   Here is the deal link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/mpc/A1OK1L67ZT8BKF
   
   
   A quick install video. https://www.feiyengadgets.com/single-post/The-best-Google-Home-Mini-wall-mount-by-FeiyenGadgets-2018
   
   Updated: The promote code 30Z31LDF is displayed on the corresponding page above.
   
   Updated 2018-04-26: Thank you very much for your interest in and support for my design in the past 24 hours. This is my second product since designing the first stand for Amazon Echo Dot.
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0798RJQCH
   
   I am very happy to continue the deal and hope that more friends will like it, try it out, and share more valuable suggestions. It will also be available in Amazon Canada.
   
   Update 2018-04-28: The wall mount is available in Amazon Canada now.
   
   https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07C6GPPYQ
   
   https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07C6D1SW4
   

I don't do this, but you could achieve this using a Harmony Hub

This thing speaks Infrared, Bluetooth and wi-fi.
You would have to create a Harmony Activity with the PS4 and TV included. If your TV isn't ancient it should support HDMI-CEC (every manufacturer calls it something else like AnyLink or EasyLink) and the TV should turn on and switch to the right input when starting the PS4 (which itself is controlled via Bluetooth from Harmony)

The only problem would be to start Netflix. You can chain commands with the Harmony but they are just timed "button presses" So if the Netflix app changes places or the PS4 somehow doesn't receive a single button press the whole command chain falls flat.

If you setup the activity you either link your Harmony account to your GHome using the command "OK Google link my harmony account) and control the activities natively, preferably using shortcuts.

Much easier would be to create IFTTT commands including the Harmony activities.

TL;DR After typing this "tutorial" I realized: Get a chromecast! Harmony is cool if you have multiple devices you want to control using Infrared.

/edit: Seriously just get a chromecast. I bet you can find them on Black Friday for $25. You can completely control Netflix just using your voice (what show, play, pause, ...)

/u/DavidAg02 answered all the questions. I'll just add to it.

Lights: The Philips Hue Starter Kit would be great because it supports the Google Assistant which works with the Google Home & Homekit which works with Siri. I got the iHome ISP6X Wi-FI Smart Plug for the same reason.

TV: Make sure you keep the Chromecast plugged into the wall if you want it turn the TV on & off. This feature won't work it's plugged into the TV's USB. Also get the 2nd generation.

Speakers: The Google home & Chromecast audio works great together especially if you want multi room support.

Plug-in Mount - Accessory for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KDYD2J8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share have two of these and love them. Very clean and natural looking.

I use this speaker and hook it up to a standalone Chromecast Audio device. All in cost for the speaker and CA is $55. I've got 5 of these spread out through the house and they sound good. The added benefit is that I know that Google will keep the CA updated whereas getting firmware updates from speaker companies are non-existent. And if I want better sound later on I can find a higher quality powered speaker.

https://primenow.amazon.com/dp/B00EZ9XLF8?m=A1B7R5U0XCJ7F8&qid=1485750620&ref_=pn_sr_sg_0_img_A1B7R5U0XCJ7F8

I use Smartthings and really like it. You can find the hubs for less than $80 if patient and looking around. Ya that may seam like a lot but using the switch you picked out at $80 x 3 for a cost of $240 while Smarthings plus either these Leviton or these [GE] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUCZA1C/ref=psdc_507840_t4_B01N4F487U) will end up being cheaper if you buy 3 or more. Z-wave is designed for exactly this, home automation stuff so I really prefer to use that over WiFi devices.

I don't have any switches at the moment, only Hue but I will be getting some eventually. For a Hub you have two real options if you are really new and not super techy, Wink and SmartThings. Both have different strengths. I've never used Wink but that seams to be a bit more user friendly, however Smartthings is by no means difficult and it has a very helpful community and is more customization. Someone will probably take issue with this but I liken Wink to IOS (cleaner UI, a bit smoother, just works) and Smartthings to Android (much more custimizable)

Smart Plug Compatible with Alexa Google Assistant IFTTT for Voice Control, Teckin Mini Smart Outlet Wifi Socket with Timer Function, No Hub Required, White FCC ETL Certified https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVST9YN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JL3VDb8NJB308

What I use. Works wonderfully.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01FICYCO4 works beautifully with my Raspberry Pi and IFTTT. I thought it was very easy to set up, but then I like tinkering.

Also, several of my hi-fi devices actually have some sort of IP protocol. Took a while to figure out how these proprietary protocols work. But in the end, that's even more reliable than IR

So this might work, but it really is not what you want to do. A splitter is to take one output to two inputs, like splitting the output of a headphone jack to two pairs of headphones. You want to take two outputs into one input. A splitter might work for these levels but it is not the right way of doing it and you will not have any control of the volume mix between the two devices. If you really wanted to do this right you would find a small audio mixer. Something like this, https://www.amazon.com/FIFINE-Low-Noise-Sub-Mixing-adapter-Ideal-Microphones/dp/B07QDN6Z83 .

As someone else posted, if you leave your PC on all the time you can have the Chromecast audio plugged into the line in of the PC. You are basically using the PC as a mixer, in fact you will open up the audio mixer controls to set the volume.

You can open and close the door with your voice right now. Here's my review I posted on Amazon (other reviews):

It works, so I give it 3 stars. But it’s got a lot of problems.


The iOS app is quirky so anything other than opening and closing the door is weird and confusing to figure out. Giving my wife access to controlling the doors with her app requires figuring out totally undiscoverable UI. And it doesn’t look like iOS or Android so I don’t know what they’re going for design-wise. Fortunately, the Google Home integration is pretty good so I don’t use the app much. I can open a door by asking Google Home to do it while I’m walking through the kitchen and out to the garage and it’s open by the time I need to drive away.


The Apple Watch app doesn’t work at all. It always says it is “authorizing” but never gets authorized. They call it a “Beta” so maybe they’ll get it working eventually but it’s been this way for a year or longer.


The magnet and sensor have awkward designs and need to be so close to each other it’s difficult to mount them without the garage door breaking them. On one door I could mount them on the vertical side of the door so the magnet slides into place next to the sensor so there’s no risk of them hitting each other. But I had to mount them on the top of my other door and the angle the door comes down makes the clearance very tight and one open/close too many and they hit each other and snapped the sensor off. I broke 3 of the 4 pieces on the 2 Nexx Garage kits and had to mount them in a makeshift way with strong (3M VHB) adhesive tape and will probably be remounting them every 6 months as the adhesive wears out. It’s good that they fail safe – it makes you think the door is open when it’s not rather than the other way around.


They give you only enough wire for a straight line connection between the sensor mount location and the opener. I couldn’t do a straight line on one of my doors so I had to splice in wire to lengthen it. Wire is cheap, they should provide a longer length.


The double-sided tape on the unit for attaching it to the opener is weak and in just a few weeks one of mine came off and was dangling by the wires. More tape to the rescue.

​

​

​

I whole-heartedly agree with the TP-Link advice. They JUST WORK...PERIOD. You can do a search on Amazon for smart power strip. This one is Amazon's Choice. Good ratings but not near as many reviewers

https://www.amazon.com/Protector-Compatible-TECKIN-Multiple-Extension/dp/B07FM3P87S/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1537840288&sr=8-7&keywords=smart+power+strip

​

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Wi-Fi-Power-Strip-TP-Link/dp/B07G95FFN3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1537840422&sr=8-4&keywords=tp-link+smart+power+strip

I have the Vizio P65 which, despite having Chromecast built in, does not have bluetooth. I ended up getting a bluetooth adapter for it but the experience is clunky. Not too bad though, if you want to go that route I used this one which has AptX and can play to two devices.

Tan Tan plugs on Amazon. About $9 each, although there's a four-pack deal for $26 right now. I've used them for a year without a single problem. I currently have 11 of them, and recommend them without hesitation. You're insane if you toss away $22 on a single Wemo plug.

I got the ones below a while back and really like them. They use the Smart Life app which you connect to your Google account to control them with your speakers. Are they what you're looking for?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QYMPT6W/

These are the last ones I bought.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KYVRN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_qeXTDbY0N4VDV

I'm pretty sure they're all pretty much the same, just with different "brand name" stickers slapped on.

I've got some others that literally have no brand name at all, but still use the Smart Life app and all work just dandy. Though they all seem to be limited to 2.4ghz WiFi if that's a concern.

I’m pretty sure you can just buy a light bulb mount for your home mini, it screws in to an empty socket to provide power. Probably something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C687FP9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0WVWDb8K6AZ9F

I bought a NEXX Garage door opener and it works both with google home and nest via IFTTT. NO monthly fees and it was worked flawlessly since I installed it. Took me about 30 mins to install. It even has a safety pin that google home needs to open so if I leave a window open someone can’t tell “hey google open the garage”.

NEXX Garage NXG-100 Nxg Remote Compatible Door Openers-Control Using Smart Phone, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant Enabled Devices, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J8JI9HY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_5AaPAb9TKX3W7

You'd either need to get something like these: https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Headphones-Adjustable-Comfortable-Television/dp/B00G3KZ7JA

Or just pick up a used/burner Android pre-pay for like $50 and use it instead, that way if you break it it doesn't really matter much.

You're not going to get BT headphones to have longer range, as that's not what it's designed for.

We use these for our bearded dragon and hedgehog, but there's no reason you couldn't just plug a space heater into it. I agree there's not really a need for a "smart" solution here.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E9IO6N0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You still need an outlet if you want to make it safe and not be a fire hazard. It likely already is as the cord is not rated for in wall use. Anyway, this https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Built-Google-Home-Mount/dp/B078Z1XF16 comes with an extension cable you can use the reach the distance needed to plug it in.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KX5TDDN?ref=myi_title_dp here you go! the kit for the mount comes with the tip for the adapter the hub needs. :)

You might be in luck because I think they're on sale lately. Here's what you'll be looking for:

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Entertainment-Devices/dp/B00N3RFC4Q/

It comes with a hub, a remote, and an IR blaster. The hub and blaster can both send signals so if you have something in a cabinet, for example, you can put the blaster there. Your TV can get signal from the hub.

With it, you can change channels, volume, turn on/off, switch inputs, etc. using voice control on Home.

This is just an example, not sure if it's any good. What you need is a "transmitter", specifically- that means it sends a signal out to other devices. Link

There are also "transmitter/receivers" which work in both directions: Link2

Dimmer

Dimmer Add-On

Switch

Switch Add-On

Home Depot Link

The sale at Home Depot right now is really good for them. I used camelcamelcamel and just waited for a price drop on Amazon to buy them all at once. They seem to fluctuate in price quite often.

Smart bulbs and a light socket mount.

https://www.amazon.com/Dock-Socket-Light-Mount-Google/dp/B07C687FP9

We have several [Smart Life power plugs] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FVST9YN/), they do not require voice recognition -- anyone can say "Hey Google, turn off the kitchen fan" and it will turn off.

Here are some ways to mount a Google home on the wall or celing. There are many more just look on Amazon:

Dock Socket: Light Socket Mount for Google Home Mini https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C687FP9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yxm7CbE7H6G9T

The Simple Built-in Google Home Mini Mount: Custom Built-in Wall or Ceiling Mount Holder for Home Mini Voice Assistants by Google - Designed in The USA by Mount Genie (1-Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078Z214QX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Tvm7CbJYZB4PG

360 Electrical 360579 PowerClip Outlet Mount for Google Home Mini - Google Plug-in Bracket Stand Holder Case, for Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom, Living Room, Office, Charcoal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H5VR672/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fwm7CbBVJTSZA

You all keep missing the nice one. Here it is.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KDYD2J8

Not OP but check out Dock Socket. Haven't used one because I don't have recessed lighting but it does just this.

https://www.amazon.com/Dock-Socket-Light-Mount-Google/dp/B07C687FP9