I did not see that post, in some point I was like that, but at the end I said, whatever, I'm a poor guy, what will do Google tracking me when I'm in the toilet? Showing adds of Charmin? I don't have anything to hide, if they don't share my ss number, phone number, card numbers, we are ok.
I understand both points of view. I'm not going to fault anyone for feeling that way. He's probably more right than I am on the subject, and I've just accepted the surveillance for the gadgetry and convenience I like.
I hear "I have nothing to hide" quite often from people in many circumstances, not just voice assistance. Freedom is really about the right to dissent, something that all of us should be guarding with our lives really. My favorite quote is from Martin Niemƶller.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak outābecause I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak outā because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak outābecause I was not a Jew.
Then they came for meāand there was no one left to speak for me.
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Google says itās spelled āCharminā not āCharmingā. 
Sure, I totally respect his preferences. Actually I want to know what models he is looking.
Lol, stupid google, it autocorrect!
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This looks like a contender. I was hoping for something for half that price though.
Mike
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If you do not yet have any voice assistants, I'd suggest the google Mini
OK, I'll bite. If I'm going with the Mini, please point me to what do I need to do just for an entry-level TTS. In digging around, I see Rpi, IFTTT, etc. but some I'm seeing may not apply to G Mini.
Chromecast is now integrated in HE, use the chromecast app in HE and find your mini, then create the rules for speak/ or assign the speaker to your rules
I think the drawback of the Echos is the limitation of how many you can notify before Amazon throws a tantrum.
I use a mixture, again the Fabriqs are ok, but have a flaw if you're linking up a few of them so they don't popcorn.
I created a speaker group in the Home app and it was found by HE as "Chromecast Audio". I was then able to send the speak command to the group and it was perfectly in sync. I have Sonos speakers, the Alexa TTS setup as well, but I'm beginning to feel like the GH devices are going to be my TTS devices of choice. Loving the experience so far...and I believe it's even local.
P.S. I dont use them as my primary music source so the lack of resume is not as issue for me as it is for some.
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Nice tip. Thanks.
I've been trying every cheap solution, beginning with LANnouncer on ST and HE, and nothing worked this well. It seems snappy enough that I think it's local, but I'd like confirmation (I just don't grasp the technology being used by Hubitat).
Likewise.
I'm with @vjv on this one: I got a "free" Google Home Mini (GHM) via the Spotify deal and it was just sitting there. Saw the Chromecast addition to Hubitat and added it ONLY as a TTS device. (Unique Gmail acct, Mic Off, no features selected.) Works great. Since I don't use it for anything other than TTS announcements, all it's other flaws are not seen by me.
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I dont use them as my primary music source
I have 6 Dots (v2) scattered around the house and outside. We just don't do music much after the newness wore off. G Minis are $25 each in a 2-pack --pretty insignificant after buying 30+ devices for the initial HE infrastructure. Besides, HE is going nuts now over the Chromecast integration so I might as well join in.
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I have a $70 Aeon Doorbell that is quite bad at basically everything it does. 
The button for the bell eats batteries in days. Therefore useless. I've got 10-12 prebuilt audio files I put on it and it plays them. Except that it stutters and otherwise mangles the experience.
The GHM is so far, quite superior, and even at $30, a bargain. "Free" (via Spotify deal) makes it even better.
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The Fabriq's are great. I have two.
Do you group your Fabriqs? If so, do they drop audio at the end of TTS?
These look nice. Reading reviews it says you can create a group and airplay to it which makes it very interesting.
@doug, I've had better luck NOT grouping them. For some reason, they're less reliable in my experience...
That's my experience too. They tend to drop the end of the phrase when grouped. I hate the popcorn all over the house though. Wish they worked better. I contacted FABRIQ support, they were useless.
@doug
That's why I created speaker central
Now I only get tts in the room I'm in (or any other speaker configured to be active)
Andy
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