Hi Folks this question was asked back in Jun 22 but I am checking again in the hope that things may have moved on since then. Basically I have google devices that we use for radio playback I trigger this playback by saying the phrase (IE Hey google play Heart FM). First the good news .... This passes the wife acceptance test and works fine. Now the bad news.... My 80 year old mother in law who frequently comes to stay can't seem to figure this out.
I was hoping to use a button to allow her to just press and go. Looking at the support forum this would seem to work if I installed the Google Assistant Relay and sending a custom command but this is now depreciated and I cannot get it to work.
Does anybody know how I can achieve triggering a google command via a button. I am happy to install servers etc if that is necessary just need a workable solution.
You could probably get the v1 Assistant Relay to work if you install old versions of just about everything. It’s finicky to get it set up but it probably will still work. Mine was working long after people said it shouldn’t be working anymore. However, when I updated NPM. or something like that (I can’t remember), it would not run, and downgrading didn’t help. I would’ve had to reinstall the whole thing, but honestly didn’t need it anymore because Alexa custom commands and direct control with help from the generous developers here had answered all my needs.
Alternative is just buy an Amazon device. They allow custom commands and triggering by virtual contact or motion sensors from Hubitat. Shame on Google for giving up on a product far too quickly, once again (although to be fair, Amazon is cutting back on the Alexa product too). I won’t be surprised if Google killed the Google Home product line in the near future like they have done with everything else except for Gmail, search and AdWords (the things that make them unbelievable amounts of money).
mmmm. Whilst I am willing to install current software to get this to work tbh I am not sure I want to role back.....
I have been reading from various sources that Google have changed their authentication process. Is it possible that this is what broke your working setup?
Not sure where to go from this. Would consider installing v1 if someone could confirm that google haven't broken this but don't want to waste time on something that may/may not work.
I’m certain I broke my setup. One minute it was working, then I upgraded and couldn’t restart it. But there could now be other changes that block it from working as you suggest. Don’t want to raise false expectations, as I can no longer confirm (not really willing to be precise) it’s viability first hand.
There is always a risk to running old Linux software. It’s been quite some time and there could be security flaws that might allow attacks. I think it’s prudent to proceed with caution. Maybe keep looking for alternatives.
Thanks I think at this point of time I will keep looking. Hopefully someone maybe able to chime in and suggest an alternative.
I might try an Amazon device for fits and giggles. However at this point of time I am heavily invested in google hardware so not wanting to ditch them completely. Is there any guides for getting the custom commands working?
If my recollection is correct, you can create an Amazon account and use their Routines without owning a device. I seem to remember a caveat to that, but it's been a while since that discussion so I'm not complete sure what it was. I think @ogiewon knows a bit more about that than I do.
There's a thread or two here somewhere discussing that solution for someone else in the same situation.
