Echo Skill

[NetworkGuy]

Originally Posted by wayner

Not quite Sage related but can you change the friendly name for Harmony Activities after you complete the setup?

The only way to change the name is to disconnect the account and reconnect it.

[baudfather]

I don't have Alexa, but I like where this is going. Are you able to initiate playback? (e.g. watch channel x, watch recording of xxx)

Also, it would be cool to see if someone could so something similar with Google Home now that they've opened up their API.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by baudfather

I don't have Alexa, but I like where this is going. Are you able to initiate playback? (e.g. watch channel x, watch recording of xxx)

Also, it would be cool to see if someone could so something similar with Google Home now that they've opened up their API.

Yes to the first question

I've also thought about Google Home. Right now I do not have the hardware and haven't looked at the API. Last time I checked the API wasn't published.

Amazon has a big lead with the Echo but I think Google can make some inroads. The biggest drawback of the Echo is that you must use the skill name when asking it to do things. ("Alexa, ask <skill name> to <do something>") Given the large number of skills it becomes difficult to remember all of the skill names! From what I've seen Google Home doesn't need to hear the skill name. I'm not sure how they do that, but I guess the answer is in the API.

[NetworkGuy]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

The biggest drawback of the Echo is that you must use the skill name when asking it to do things. ("Alexa, ask <skill name> to <do something>") Given the large number of skills it becomes difficult to remember all of the skill names!

I think it must depend on how it is implemented. I do not need to do that with the Harmony or Wink skills.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by NetworkGuy

I think it must depend on how it is implemented. I do not need to do that with the Harmony or Wink skills.

I did a little reading last night and you do need to know the "skill" name. Once the Home recognizes the skill name it passes all interaction request straight to your code. Google must approve the skill name before it can be used.

I also have been puttering around with the new functionality offered by the Echo and it rocks! You can now say things like "Play the latest episode of the kardashians" or "play the previous episode of looney tunes" and the Echo will recognize it This is a BIG improvement. It's kind of scary how much this thing recognizes.

All I can say is that Google has their work cut out for them to effectively compete.

I'll give more feedback as I implement the new functionality. Right now I am very optimistic.

[tmiranda]

I had a little time to implement some of the new Echo functionality and it works really well. There are some rough edges but the Echo can now understand TV Series names and episodes. You can now say things like "play the first episode of mythbusters".

That may not sound like much, but it's a big step!

[eagleshot]

That is awesome my kids will love this. I tried to PM my email address but I think your box is full.

Thanks

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by eagleshot

That is awesome my kids will love this. I tried to PM my email address but I think your box is full.

Thanks

I emptied my inbox.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

I had a little time to implement some of the new Echo functionality and it works really well. There are some rough edges but the Echo can now understand TV Series names and episodes. You can now say things like "play the first episode of mythbusters".

That may not sound like much, but it's a big step!

That sounds awesome.

[Olias]

This sounds way cool! I'm PMing you my address so I'll have something more to play with during the Christmas holiday.

[alfi33]

This does look incredibly cool and I keep thinking that I may want to try this. But does anyone have any concerns about exposing the Jetty web server to the internet?

[wayner]

Originally Posted by alfi33

This does look incredibly cool and I keep thinking that I may want to try this. But does anyone have any concerns about exposing the Jetty web server to the internet?

Doesn't everyone port forward their Jetty server so that they can remotely access their server and initiate recordings or try to troubleshoot? I certainly have for a long time.

I don't think I have been hacked but my Sage system does record lots of shows that have positive portrayals of our dear leader Comrade Putin.

[alfi33]

Originally Posted by wayner

Doesn't everyone port forward their Jetty server so that they can remotely access their server and initiate recordings or try to troubleshoot? I certainly have for a long time.

I don't think I have been hacked but my Sage system does record lots of shows that have positive portrayals of our dear leader Comrade Putin.

Lol!

Not sure what everyone else does (that's an interesting question), but I use a VPN to remotely access to my Sage server.

[tmiranda]

I finally updated the plugin. Download and unzip the attachment to your sagetv install directory. You will then see under UI Mod Plugins "Sage For Echo".

[wayner]

I was able to install on my V9 server but not on my V7 server as V9 seems to be the minimum version.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by wayner

I was able to install on my V9 server but not on my V7 server as V9 seems to be the minimum version.

Yes, I made v9 a minimum in an attempt to debug your machine

[tmiranda]

I just realized there is an error in the JavaScript in the plugin. Unzip the attached and put the .js file into your sagex/services directory. Overwrite the existing file. If you have to re-install the plugin you must also copy this file again.

[wayner]

Do you have to restart the server when you replace this file?

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by wayner

Do you have to restart the server when you replace this file?

No.

[tmiranda]

I just deployed a new version that will allow you to play specific episodes of a show. You can now say things like:

"Play the first episode of <name>"
"Play the most recent episode of <name>"
"Play the first unwatched episode of <name>"
"Play the next episode" (It will assume the last show you played.)
"Play the previous episode"

You will need to unzip and the javascript from the attached file and overwrite the file in the sagex/services directory.

You will also probably have to re-enter you locator ID. Amazon disabled the skill and renamed it to "sage skill". I changed it back to "Sage TV" but that has the side effect of resetting your configuration. I am hoping Amazon does not have an issue with the name "sage TV"

Merry Christmas.