Alexa and FLIC integration.

[jonas]

Its finally here and I ditched my workarounds for doing this before. Now I have the problem that the skill is rather slow and can take up to 20 seconds sometimes. Is this normal or is there a possibility to reduce the latency?

[fb 0]

It's live!

[goonermel]

@Emil @leapoldstoch1 This is a total game changer now for my Flic buttons. I don't believe you can toggle lights with one trigger action, but I'm still very happy with the integration nevertheless!
I used to use IFTTT which used to work ok but since I have started paying to use the applets, it hasn't worked properly or when it does, the response is soooooo slow! Methinks I'll cancel that subscription now!
Thank you so much for this developers, this had endless options!

[Emil]

@leapoldstoch1 not what we know. Note that Alexa devices are originally meant for voice, and I doubt the device makers have added the phrase "Alexa, toggle my lights please" as a matching phrase...

[leapoldstoch1]

@Emil congratulations this is amazing ..... is there any way however to toggle routine on routine off ?

[Emil]

@leapoldstoch1 In that case, just make sure you have the latest flic app installed.

[norman.vezey]

@rmainva1

Here is a step by step approach to configuring a Flic button called “TEST BUTTON” to run Alexa routines. if you’ve used iFTTT before the process is similar.

1. In Alexa SKILLS & GAMES search for and enable the Flic skill. (you will only have to do this once)
2. In the flic app add a new Flic button and name it TEST BUTTON
3. In the TEST BUTTON configuration page, under Click, Double Click, Hold, add the new Amazon Alexa Trigger option. Each of these triggers will show “This action has no configurable actions”.
4. In the Alexa app select Routines and scroll down until you see TEST BUTTON - Click is pressed etc.
5. In the Edit Routine page add your required action. I found it easier to omit renaming the routine as the app will name the routine using the default name of the trigger e.g. TEST BUTTON - Click is pressed

That’s It, I hope it works for you,
Norman

[leapoldstoch1]

@Emil hi Emil, there is no Amazon Alexa option on the actions list.

[Emil]

@rmainva1 please follow this guide https://flic.io/alexa/setup

[rmainva1]

@norman-vezey How did you get it to work. My Flic action says there is nothing to configure? Am I missing a step?

[norman.vezey]

@Emil Works a treat! This is a game changer for me, I'm now in the process of adding my Alexa Routines and everything seems to be working fine so far. I have been using IFTTT pro until now, the main difference I've noticed so far is the speed of execution, I have however many Routines so the update process will take a while. Thank you so much for implementing this feature.

[Emil]

We are slowly rolling this out in different regions. Stay tuned.

[rplaughl]

@krooked yep, I've downloaded it too and it doesn't seem to allow you to do anything yet.

[krooked]

I just downloaded the Flic skill on the Alexa app, but can’t figure out how to setup routines yet. Has anyone tried it yet?

[rplaughl]

@amir this is excellent news. Once this happens, I'm sure I'll dig even deeper in my pockets to give you more of my money...

[dchauge]

@obbucket from @amir post it sounded like a "this quarter" type thing, so I'm hopeful and won't bother them until April

That being said, I have started to think of different Alexa routines I'd set up specifically for Flic buttons. One thing I'm curious on being able to set a trigger based on current status. For example, I have a light that is turned on dim with one click, 100% with two clicks, and off with a long press... Would there be any way to set a trigger based on the current status? I know it depends on the bulb, and I have some Lifx bulbs that do this because they're directly integrated. But what about something like a Wyze bulb, or ewelink (sonoff) outlet.

[will]

Did Flic ever fix this?

[obbucket]

@amir Any update or progress on Alexa Routines ?

[rich]

@amir Thanks for the clarification. It's greatly appreciated. As you can see, quite a few people didn't take the videos that way. As a result, your update helps to set the expectations appropriately. I look forward to becoming a fan once we reach that plateau. Best of luck on getting there.

[amir]

Hi @rich, The videos made by Paul and Brian were supposed to be focused on the new HomeKit integration and the new Flic Universal features. They were only notified that aside from HomeKit and Flic Universal we also have Alexa on beta testing without getting access to the beta hence why they did not have any demo of the Alexa features on either of their videos.

As a former tech journalist I'm sure you're aware that information can sometimes get lost in translation and that we have no control of the exact content that they publish or how they name their videos.

With that said, the Alexa Routines action is set to be publicly released in this quarter, most probably in the next couple of weeks so hang in there

P.S. We will of course be more cautious with the information we share with youtubers in the future.

//Amir from the Flic Team