How to Only Run Alexa Routines If You’re At Home

Alexa App Routine Triggers

Routines using Alexa have time and again proved extremely useful in the everyday function of our smart homes. They help make our daily lives that much easier – most of the time. Now, what if you want to take routines a step further? Perhaps you want them to run only when you’re home and can … Read more

Smart Lights That Change Color Temperature Based on Time of Day (A How-To Guide)

Smart Light with Orange Lighting

Smart lights are awesome, as many people can agree. The ability to control more than one light with just the mere touch of a button or voice command is extremely convenient in a variety of situations.  They’re convenient, they can be festive, and can really help set the mood at home. Smart lighting can affect … Read more

How To Make Your Amazon Echo’s Door Chime Louder

A new Echo Dot (sandstone color) in setup mode with an orange ring going around it.

Amazon Echo’s are great little devices, right? They play our music, give us traffic updates, and even introduce us to new recipes. If you have video doorbells, they can even let you know when someone is at the door. Of course, this feature is only useful if you can actually hear the doorbell notification. Sometimes … Read more

The Ring Doorbell Can Only Ring ONCE (Why?!)

Ring Video Doorbell 2020 release

Ring video doorbells are great right? You can see who’s at the door, and even talk to them – from the comfort of your own bed if you want to! The catch though? You have to actually realize someone is there. When someone rings your Ring doorbell, let’s face it, life is busy, and sometimes … Read more

Flashing Light Doorbell: Blink Lights When Someone’s At Your Door (Without IFTTT)

Doorbell Routine Trigger action

Automations in the modern smart home are one of the most useful things today. They make things easier such as creating bedtime routines that help get the little ones to sleep, or even help you to relax after a long day. They may even be of help to families who are hard of hearing. For … Read more

Amazon Alexa & Echo: Looping Songs, Playlists and Routines

One of my Echo Dots on the floor, plus a screenshot of the Amazon Music's playlists section next to it.

One of the nice features within the Amazon Alexa platform is the ability to loop music playing on your Amazon Echo devices, whether it’s an individual song or a playlist. You can also (sort of) loop songs kicked off from routines, granted with some caveats. This guide covers how to do this. Looping music on … Read more