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Welcome to Smartnest documentation!
We hope you will find all the information you are looking for, here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
What is Smartnest?
Smartnest is a Web service that allows Home automation enthusiasts with knowledge in electronics to connect their own devices with voice assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Siri, IFTTT and more, it works with many Arduino and ESP boards but also other devices like STM32 microcontrollers, the service uses MQTT to send and receive information from your device, so you only need MQTT library and you will have access to all the services.
Why use Smartnest?
Let's say you just built a nice system that opens and closes your curtains, it would be nice to control it using your voice, or from your phone, or from a web browser, or just using any of your devices in the way that is more convenient for you, but this would require you to program your device to connect to each service, probably set up your own server, configure it in a safe way, manage web requests, and so on... or you can just sign up and use Smartnest, you can have it running in less than 10 minutes.
Why is it called Smartnest?
A nest is a combination of twigs and leaves, is the place where birds sleep and feel protected but most importantly it is made completely by them, they go every day looking for the best twigs and anything that can improve it. Everyone is talking today about Smart Homes and Smart Houses, but we like to think about them as Smart nests since it is you, the user who takes the time to go out there get component by component build something from your own and configure it.
What is the price of Smartnest?
Everyone can create an account and start for free with a Basic plan if you have bigger requirements there are different plans for you to choose, you can visit the pricing page here: Pricing
What Integrations are available?
Smartnest is now in Beta Phase and we are working very hard to have it running with all services as soon as posible.
Here is a list of the methods available to control your devices:
From your Computer: Using the web Application Visit web App
From your Phone: Using the iOS or Android App, or if you prefer you can add the web app icon to your home screen for iOS Android and Windows phone Visit web App
From your tablet: Using the iOS or Android App or using the web application that will adapt to any screen size Visit web App
Alexa Skill: Skill is available in the skills store. Visit Skill
Google Home: Activate the Google Home action. Follow the Google Integration guide
IFTTT: Using the Smartnest service on IFTTT Follow the configuration guide
API: complete access to the API will be released for App developers (Business plan required)
Future developments:
Controller for blinds
Controller for RGB Lights
the connection is made using MQTT, there are plenty of MQTT libraries on the web so feel free to choose the one that suits your project and your Board. You can also download one of our examples, we use the library Pubsubclient from Knolleary which supports the following devices:
Arduino Ethernet
Arduino Ethernet Shield
Arduino YUN
Arduino WiFi Shield
Sparkfun WiFly Shield
TI CC3000 WiFi
Intel Galileo/Edison
ESP8266
ESP32
Download and install from https://github.com/knolleary/pubsubclient
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