Ois & Nix

Unfortunately, the Himedia H8 media box does not have an built-in microphone. If you want to use Google Voice Search and OK Google commands, you have to connect a webcam. I used a Logitech C270 . The webcam was automatically detected by the H8 and the OK Google command was immediately working after activating it in the Google Now launcher settings. According to other blogs/forums, other Logitech webcams should also be supported by the Himedia H8. Voice control can be extremely powerful if you combine it with Tasker, AutoVoice and AutoInput. You could command your LED lights or your music easily. See also  Start Spotify radio with shortcut .

Goal: I have two Android devices (a smartphone and a streaming box). I wanted to start a Spotify playlist on my streaming box, triggered by an NFC action on my smartphone. The streaming box is connected to my AV receiver, so it was important that the music is not played on my smartphone but on the streaming box. What you need: Two Android devices (e.g. a smartphone which supports NFC and an Android streaming box) NFC tags Tasker AutoRemote Trigger Spotify How it is done: I don't want to go through every step in detail, mostly it is selfexplanatory once you have the different components. On the streaming box: Install Tasker, AutoRemote, Spotify Create the task which should be triggered on the streaming box (e.g. Spotify play - see my other blog posts). Create a new profile in Tasker using AutoRemote on the streaming box to listen to a specific input (e.g. "spot") from the second device. On your mobile phone Install Tasker, AutoRemote, Trigger ...

Goal: I run Spotify on an Android streaming box and I wanted to start a radio station with a shortcut on my keyboard. What you need: Android TV box (e.g. CR11S) Keyboard (e.g. Logitech K400 ) Apps: Spotify Tasker AutoInput (Tasker Plugin) External Keyboard Helper Optional: AutoVoice How it is done: Create the tasks in Tasker to start Spotify, wait a bit, launch AutoInput and then go through the click actions to start the radio station you would like to have. You can download and import this " SpotifyPlay.xml " as an example. IMPORTANT: Please be aware that if Spotify changes the UI of there app, the click actions need to be adapted. The guided mode in AutoInput will help you there. Feel free to improve the xml and let me know. In External Keyboard Helper first define the "application shortcuts", e.g. A0. Then customize your keyboard mappings. Add a new key mapping - press e.g. F1 on your keyboard and then type in A0 in the "normal...

I am using a very nice smart DNS service: SmartDNSProxy . I can highly recommend it. However, if you install the latest Netflix version on your Android device, Google's DNS servers cannot be avoided - meaning that your smart DNS will not work. There are different options to avoid this: Use an older version of the Netflix app (3.7.1). You can download it here . Configure your router to reroute Google's DNS to your smart DNS servers. Configure iptables in AFWall+ on your rooted Android device. To do this, create a custom script with the following two lines: iptables -t nat -A OUTPUT -d 8.8.8.8 -j DNAT --to-destination 54.93.173.153 iptables -t nat -A OUTPUT -d 8.8.4.4 -j DNAT --to-destination 54.229.171.243 The destination in this case goes to two  SmartDNSProxy  servers I use Do not forget to take care of the static DNS settings with the same IP addresses on your Android device's WIFI interface

I recently bought a set of Milight (aka Limitless LED, Mi-Light, Easybulb) bulbs including the Wifi bridge. It is really easy to configure and a great value for money. Goal: Since I am operating a CR11S Android box, I thought it would be great to control my lights with the box. The website  http://www.limitlessled.com/dev gives you an overview of commands you can send to the box via UDP. What you need: Milight bulbs + wifi controller Android device (e.g. CR11S) Tasker  UDP Sender How it is done: I have two bulbs in the living room (group 1 and 2) and one in my bed room (group 3) and I've set up the following things: The perfect light for watching TV Switch group 1 off, set group 2 to orange and start Netflix Tasker XML file: PerfectTVLight.xml Good night Switch on group 3 and group 1, wait for 7 minutes then turn off group 1, 2 and put the Android box into standby. Tasker XML file: GoodNight.xml Good morning - Sunrise alarm clock / Wake Up Light Sw...