Smart Plug, Lightstory Mini Wi-Fi Socket Outlet Compatible with Alexa Echo/dot Compatible with Google Home Assistant IFTTT, Remote Control Your Devices from Anywhere, No Hub Required

The outlets work as intended: Google Home and Alexa integration (I own both), and can be scheduled to turn on/off as needed. Setup was fairly easy, and we now have the option to schedule lights to turn on and off while we are away on vacation. We no longer use timers since thieves can watch your home and know when you are actually away because the lights would have turned on/off at the same time every day. With smart plugs, we can now randomize the light usage, making it look more realistic that we are "home".To set it up, download the "Smart Life" app (made by Tuya) from the Apple or Google store. Sign up for an account, and then:1. Set your phone to connect to WiFi 2.4 GHz (5 GHz won't work)2. Use the app to set up the outlets using the on-screen instructions. It will eventually ask you which WiFi to connect it to. Specify your home one.3. You will be asked to name the plug.You will now be able to control your outlet with the app, including granular scheduling for each day of the week. I also grouped some of the plugs so that I can simply tell Amazon to "turn off all fans" or "turn off all inside lights" (this is set up via Groups in the Alexa app).To automate with Alexa or Google Home, follow their respective instructions. With Google Home, have it search for Smart Life to set up.If you found this review helpful, please hit the "Yes" button to encourage me to write more. Thank you!

I purchased this product thinking it would be handy to turn lights or other electronics on and off from a distance. I suppose the product works fine, but here’s the catch: to use them you need the app on your phone or other smart device. And to use the app you need to agree to their disclosure agreement. In a nutshell, it says they protect our privacy but it looks to me like they are collecting virtually everything they can from our smartphones. This is copied from their disclosure agreement: Information You Voluntarily Provide UsAccount or Profile Data: When you register an account with us, we may collect your name and contact details, such as your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, user name, and login credentials. During your interaction with our Products, we may further collect your nickname, profile picture, country code, language preference or time zone information into your account. Information We Collect Automatically:Device Information: When you interact with our Product, we automatically collect device information, such as the MAC address of your devices, IP address, wireless connection information, operating system type and version, application version number, push notification identifier, log files, and mobile network information.Data Usage: During your interaction with our Sites and Services, we automatically collect usage data relating to visits, clicks, downloads, messages sent/received, and other usage of our Sites and Services.Location information: We will collect information about your real-time precise or non-precise geo-location when you use our specific products or services, such as robot cleaner and weather service.There’s a lot more to the agreement but I imagine you get the idea. They say ou are able to request that they delete the private information they collect, but golly, I just don’t trust them.Near the end of the agreement it said this: This policy is formulated in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China and shall be governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China.If you have any questions about our practices or this Privacy Notice, please contact us as follows:Company Name: Tuya Global Inc. ......In short, I just wanted an easier way to control things in my apartment. But these smart switches are going back.

I am an admitted gadget freak and love these new smart plugs that allow me to operate lights, etc. using my smart phone. These are great and work as promised. I have a fountain in my office that has no switch on the cord and you have to manually unplug it to turn it on and off. I used one of the Smart Plugs and now control the fountain on my phone with the touch of a finger...Love it! The only downside to them is the fact that when plugged into an outlet, you cannot plug anything else in due to the size of the unit. I emailed the company to see if they had any that were a bit smaller and was told they are working on it.In the meantime, I found a multi-plug outlet on Amazon that I love. Each one can accommodate two plugs and you can plug two of the units into a single outlet. The free app allows me to control all devices plugged into either of the items but overall, I now use the multi-plug units more often.

It works!A brief summary of what's needed: you need an Amazon Echo device (if you don't, that's OK, you can still control it with your phone app). And an active Wi-Fi. You will load the app onto your phone, control the device (the socket), then connect it to your Wi-Fi. Then you go into Alexa App and load the skills that control this socket. Then you load the socket into Alexa as one of the device you manage. Then, at last, you can talk to Alexa and control this socket. It does ON and OFF.Some devices require a Hub. This one does not. It will directly connect to your Wi-Fi. No Hub needed.Once all setup, it functions as easily as speaking to Alexa (lights On/Off), or use the phone app to do the same, or push the little power button on the side of the unit. So three different ways to control whatever is plugged into it.So far after 2 weeks of use, it has been no issues. It is responsive to Alexa and controls the light very well.Very glad to come across an unit that fully functions. I will keep testing to see if I run into issues but so far there's been no issue. Great work!