This app was mentioned in 16 comments, with an average of 1.56 upvotes
Personally I use the Android app Automation Manager. This creates a dedicated server on an Android device (almost any old / second-hand phone or tablet will do). You can set up virtual devices and link them to Alexa. You can then incorporate those virtual devices into an Alexa routine. Since the server is running inside your home network, it is pretty much 100% reliable - more so than cloud-based solutions.
To be fair, it has a learning curve but there is good online documentation and the developer is extremely responsive. I have been running this solution for several months and I'm very happy with it.
I'm also in Australia. The cheapest and most viable option you have right now is to repurpose one of your old phones as a home automation server with this software: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mpp.android.wemo Then you can use philips hue accessories with your lifx lights. This is what I do and it's fantastic. I can even use the temperature sensors in the hue motion sensors with rules to turn smart plugs on and off. I hear you can do similar things with Apple Homekit but I certainly didn't want to invest in anything Apple. If you are curious or want more information feel free to PM me...
If the official Nest APIs go away, then it might be possible to create an unofficial API. For example, Nest never released an API to control hot water so a helpful developer did so by reverse-engineering the web browser interface. Running this PHP script on a Raspberry Pi and triggering it via Amazon Echo ("Alexa, turn on hot water") using Automation Manager's Alexa bridge and it works very well. Hopefully, with some ingenuity we'll figure out an alternative solution if official Nest APIs are discontinued.
Just on your second bullet point. I do run Automation Manager on an old Android device and it works 100% reliably for me, provided the device is kept connected to a power source (the developer has good instructions on how to keep the app running at all times).
Yeah so the key is to have one of these. I got one at best buy on sale for like $20 a couple years ago. It's a wifi enabled plug that has a phone app. So i have my modem and router plugged into it. The problem is that, if my network were to go down...how would I operate it? It was something I didn't admittedly think through... Anyway! I have an app that runs a little local server to the wemo that also responds to Tasker. So Tasker pings www.google.com every 5 mins. If it connects, do nothing. If it doesn't connect, send a reboot request (which that WeMo Home app handles) to the WeMo. I can go more in depth when i get home, but its super simple.
Home Assistant is easy to set up, but can be a bit of a commitment to ensure you have a computer running at all times. Before I made that jump, I was using an app, AutomationManager for IoT installed on an old cell phone that gave me the same functionality and was also dead reliable.
IMO The cheapest and most viable option you have right now is to repurpose one of your old phones as a home automation server with this software: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mpp.android.wemo Then you can use philips hue accessories with your WeMo products. This is what I do and it's fantastic. I can even use the temperature sensors in the hue motion sensors with rules to turn smart plugs on and off. I hear you can do similar things with Apple Homekit but I certainly didn't want to invest in anything Apple.
I have your answer! If you have a spare phone/tablet or a computer that runs 24/7 you can use this software https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mpp.android.wemo
Not sure how it works with the IKEA stuff but I managed to integrate my wemo motion sensors and hue motion sensors with my lifx globes with no lag whatsoever. The developer is very helpful and is constantly updating the app. If you need any help feel free to dm me.
If you do go with WeMo, check out the alternate, app: WeMo Manager. It's not written by Belkin (has nothing to do with them) but lets you set up an alternate server. Much more responsive.
A wemo and this app should be able to do it:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mpp.android.wemo&hl=en
I have a few wemos and this app but it looks pretty complicated so I haven't worked out how to do it yet.
This, which actually works with both wemo and tp-link.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mpp.android.wemo
I have a working solution for something similar. My setup is an old/cheap phone (Base) that is used to control all smart plugs and other stuff at home. To know if the Xbox is on or off you could buy a Wemo Insight https://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F7C029/ it tells the consumption you have. Check consumption when XBOX is on and in standby mode and make tasker act on it. For this I use the app called AutomationManager to control all Wemo Devices, check consumption and send intents to Tasker to act on them.
I hope I helped and find the best method for your needs.
I use AutomationManager with Wemo and TP-Link switches. It's been flawless for years.
WeMo Manager WeMo Manager makes the Belkin Wemo line of products actually useful. With Tasker integration you get simple, smarthome integration without the need for the stupid/slow IFTTT. Where the Intents areThe playstore link. ...Please Note: I am a Bot.. To report errors or request additions, message /u/letestaccount
WeMo Manager WeMo Manager makes the Belkin Wemo line of products actually useful. With Tasker integration you get simple, smarthome integration without the need for the stupid/slow IFTTT. Where the Intents areThe playstore link.
Courtesy of www.randomfunfacts.com: Ewan McGregor was offered, but turned down, the part of Neo in the Matrix. Will Smith was also approached to play Neo but turned it down in order make Wild Wild West. ...Please Note: I am a Bot.. To report errors or request additions, message /u/letestaccount
2 seconds waiting time to turn the light on is really long. But if you are using iOS you probably don't have another options. If you are using Android you should probably buy Tasker, Pebble Tasker, and this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mpp.android.wemo thing