There is nothing better than a Christmas tree decorated with lights and decorations to get you and your loved ones into the holiday spirit. However, one of the most annoying things about Christmas trees is having to constantly turn those beautiful lights on and off when you come home, leave the house, or go to bed for the night.
Did you know that you can turn the tree lights on or off using an app or voice? Like many other electronics and lights in your home, you can connect your Christmas tree to Alexa or Google Home and control it with your voice or set holiday routines. Here’s how to make your Christmas tree smart this holiday season.
Use a smart plug
Can you plug a Christmas tree into a smart plug? Absolutely. A smart plug can turn your ordinary Christmas tree into a smart tree. You can pick up a TP-Link mini smart plug for around $16 on Amazon. Amazon also offers deals that include models like the fourth-generation Echo Dot with a smart plug included for $60. There are several other brands that work with this setup, many of which have an app that you can use or can work with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
“Alexa, turn on the Christmas lights”
Once you’ve chosen a smart plug, you can set up your smart tree.
Step 1: Download the app associated with your smart plug and create an account. You can find the appropriate application in the instructions for the smart plug. For example, if you have a TP-Link smart plug, you’ll probably use the Kasa app.
Step 2: Connect the plug. Make sure all of your strings of Christmas lights are connected and linked together on your tree. However, instead of plugging the mains plug into the wall, plug it into the smart plug, and then plug the smart plug into the power outlet.
Step 3 – Connect your Smart Dock to Wi-Fi. Add your smart plug via the corresponding app. This is usually done by choosing a Further icon or selecting add a device. Then follow the instructions in the app to complete the port setup.
Often, you select the type of device you want to add (smart plug) and then the app will ask if a certain colored light blinks on the plug. If the indicator light is not flashing, you may need to unplug the device or hold down the reset button for 10-15 seconds for the indicator light to start flashing. In most cases, after the indicator light flashes, you can start the setup and the app will search for the device and connect to it automatically.
Step 4: Give your smart plug a name. Most apps allow you to name your smart plug something like “Christmas tree” so you can easily identify it.
Step 5 – Connect the smart plug to Alexa or Google Assistant, whichever you prefer. To connect with Alexa, go to the Alexa app and connect your smart plug by selecting Smart House > Further to ANDadd a device > Plug, then select a brand of smart plug and link your accounts. This is quite easy and the app will guide you through the process.
Step 6: Create a routine. In the Alexa app, select Further option in the menu below, then select routines. Choose Further to create your own routine. We have a tutorial on Alexa routines with more information for you to follow!
If you have other smart devices, like light switches, you can create a bedtime routine that turns off the Christmas tree and house lights when you say, “Alexa, it’s time to go to bed.”
Step 7: Say, “Alexa, turn on the Christmas lights,” or whatever you decide to call your smart plug.
Use smart Christmas lights or LED string lights
Instead of going for the smart plug, you can also buy smart light strips to decorate your tree. For example, lights like Nexlux LED strip lights or Philips Hue Lightstrip are LED strips that you can use to decorate your home at any time of the year. If you want more Christmas-focused smart lighting, brands like Avatar and Novolink have more dedicated Christmas light strings with twinkle effects and more.
Depending on the smart lights you choose, they’ll have features like dimming, color changing, the ability to pulse to music, app control, and voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant.
Step 1: Download the app associated with your LED light strip and create an account. You can find the appropriate application in the instructions. For example, if you have a Philips Hue light strip, you can control it with the Hue app, which can also control other Philips lights in the home.
After downloading the app, create an account and sign in.
Step 2: Decorate your tree. Position your lights on the Christmas tree any way you like, then plug them into the power source.
When decorating a 6 foot tall tree, you typically need around 400 lights (100 for every 1.5 feet). If you’re using Rxment lights, for example, you’ll need about three strips. Many LED strip lights can be cut and spliced, allowing you to position them however you like.
Step 3: Follow the instructions in the app to connect the light to Wi-Fi. App instructions will vary greatly by brand, but typically the light bar will glow a certain color or shape to indicate it’s ready to set up, and the app will guide you through the process.
Step 4: Connect with Alexa or Google Assistant. Go to the Alexa (or Google Home) app and add a skill and/or link an account. This will allow you to voice control your smart light bar (if applicable).
Step 5 – Customize your lights. Establish routines, put music to the lights, dim them or change the colors.
Step 6: Say, “OK Google, turn on the Christmas lights.”
Synchronize the Christmas lights with the music.
With the right settings, you can also sync your Christmas lights to the music. For example, you can pair a Philips Hue light strip with music from Spotify thanks to the latest sync option in the Hue app. Update your Hue app, go to Sync and connect your Spotify account. You can then customize how the brightness and color of the light bar changes to the beat of your music.
There are other lights that sync to music, but they’re mostly meant for parties. Philip’s Sync option is one of the first easy-to-use synchronization solutions that works well with strip lights or other holiday lighting options.
tips and tricks
- Add tech decorations like this digital photography ornament to make your tree even more tech-savvy.
- Synchronize the string lights around the house with the lights on your tree to make your whole house dance to the Christmas tunes.
- Some smart plugs and light strips may require your phone to be connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.
- Some LED light strips, such as some Philips Hue strips, require a jumper.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn