To think the smart Alexa stuff is shite?

[caffelattetogo]

Why are all the smart bulbs and devices such utter shite? I don't want to download and set passwords in third party apps to make a fucking lightbulb switch on. Why is it all so glitchy and inefficient?

Mine work fine with really easy app and automatic syncing with alexa.
I got tapo and they are great.
Maybe it's the brand which is crap?

Are you sure it isn't your phone / choice of smart bulb?

mine are great. Is it your phone? Wouldn’t be without mine now!

I don't want to download and set passwords in third party apps to make a fucking lightbulb switch on.

You don't have to, you can use the switch.

Most smart stuff is anything but smart, I hate my smart tumble dryer, washing machine with a passion. I want to wash and dry clothes not spend hours deciphering the instructions or program start times with a million different options.

A bit like Netflix really, spend hours scrolling only to find it's too late to watch anything.
Oh for a simple life 😫

Well don't then!

Lots of scope for user error here. All mine work perfectly seamlessly. Lamps themselves on at sunset, the heating does its job in the background, the smart plugs work by voice command. Everything is responsive in Alexa.
Once it’s properly set up it just works.

I just bought a Nooie smart plug from Amazon and set it up yesterday - it took ten minutes max and now I can control it either through the Nooie app, or via Alexa (voice or app). I use it for the heated airer. It's great - I'm very proud of myself!

I feel the same OP! We have a load of 'smart' stuff and it drives me mad restarting/reconfiguring blah blah blah. Everything seems to be broken - thought it was just me and have been blaming our new, crappy wifi

Maybe it's the brands I'm buying. Are there bulbs you just plug in that work straight away with Alexa, not through apps please? I've wasted a whole evening on three bulbs!

@Conkersareback how do I get them to work then?!

I absolutely love my smart "stuff." They all work brilliantly.

@softpilllow which switch?

Most of our smart stuff is TP link / Google Home- not sure if that's the problem, our wifi, wifi boosters or us! Are there tech consultants who can come to your house and sort this shit out?!

The WiFi plugs work fine, Hive works fine.

The one thing that doesn't is the smart lightbulb that came free with the Echo, it constantly loses connection and works maybe 20% of the time.

I’ve set up a TP Link plug this afternoon. Now appears to be Tapo. Had to install the Tapo app but took about five minutes to set the whole thing up, including granting Alexa permissions.

Get non smart bulbs?

The light switch?

I know I start sounding like an old person. But I still don’t get how this is supposed to be progress. We had a simple, tried-and-tested, robust, energy efficient, cheap and reliable system: a light switch.
Now we need several costly, fickle, privacy-invading pieces of grotesquely overengineered tech. Madness.

@FinanceLPlates I’m with you, it’s like we’ve deliberately over complicated stuff. Flipping a switch is faster than saying words. Unless it’s a disability aid, I don’t get it.

@softpilllow but these are to set to come on and go off when I'm not here. How would I do that?

@Conkersareback well, yes, that's what I'm saying. These ones are a backward step.

I agree. These are a waste of time.

Not in my house they're not 🤷‍♀️

@Conkersareback which ones do you have?