SwitchBot Hub Mini Smart Remote - IR Blaster Link SwitchBot to Wi-Fi Support 2 4GHz Control TV Air

I wanted a hub to be able to use Fingerbots outside of Bluetooth range and also for the universal remote feature. The hub was easy to set up and functions well, I am able to trigger the Fingerbot in any wifi range. I really like the universal remote learning feature, it's very versatile and allows me to use remotes that don't have a simple code like a typical tv remote. Also like that it's an IR blaster so remote commands reach a wide area. The app has a good interface with matching remote buttons. It would be a nice feature to reorder buttons or even make a custom layout. My one issue is that sometimes it will not register the initial remote command. It usually responds the first time and there is very little lag between pressing the button in the app and it triggering on the remote or Fingerbot. Read more

The media could not be loaded. Bought this combo pack with the SwitchBot Hub Mini and its included SwitchBot fingerbot - plus also ordered another SwitchBot fingerbot. Got all of this because had two buttons - the main power button & an AC power button - that had to be pushed one after another on a Power Bank inside a starwars HD-R2D2 droid that I did not want to open up all the time when I wanted to turn it on and off. SwitchBot works great & presses quickly when you finally figure out how to get the results that you want. Great with bluetooth connecting to the switchbot app. But of course you will be using the SwitchBot Hub Mini to have full versatility to give audio verbal commands. Works great if you then connect to Google because could use my Google Nest Mini to verbally give commands to "Turn On R2D2" and later to "Turn Off R2D2" - where google solved the trick where had to issue two commands in a single command automation to have two separate SwitchBot fingerbots to each separately one after another to first press the power button & then second press the AC button to then power up the AC power adapter plugged into the power bank to "Turn On R2D2". However, when using Alexa on an Amazon Echo, could not combine commands for the two fingerbots to have each specifically press the two different separate buttons in a single alexa command routine because the routine would only activate only one fingerbot to do both presses on only one button. Oh well, gotta do two separate alexa audio commands if using Amazon Alexa. Another minor issue was I had to place each fingerbot at an angle because each button presser did not press deep enough on the buttons - but fortunately there were the extra double-sided 3M mounting tape pieces to help securely tilt/angle each fingerbot to be able to actually press each button. Minor issues but this is still a wonderful worthwhile solution to the problem of how to remotely press buttons inside an enclosed space that you do not want to always open up. Very much worth paying for. And fortunately the batteries are replaceable. Thanks So Much to both SwitchBot & Amazon for this combined remote pushbutton technology. Read more

At first, it didn’t work and connect with my Switchbot Window tilt for whatever reason. The next morning it somehow connected on its own, so i don’t know maybe their servers were down? But even then I initially thought, no way I paid 40 bucks just to use my alexa with my new window tilt… right? Well it can connect to pretty much anything you use a remote for, and if you place it in an optimal angle in the middle of the room it can send signals to all of those configurations that it remembers. My Samsung TV, a Bose soundbar, and LED lights were all IR-remote operated devices that Alexa couldn’t control, and the most I could do before was use smart plugs to turn them on or off on command by shutting the power off. I bought this for the window tilt but it solved those problems too. I can turn the volume up on the soundbar by telling Alexa, when I needed a separate remote for the sound or tv. You can custom map any button and this generally works better than the preset profiles. It’s also a cool feature for unknown devices. Like my LED lights, instead of struggling to angle the remote the right way and press that one almost broken button to get the color you want, just make this hub remember it once, and this hub operates that product better than its own remote… In the picture that’s 3 remotes I don’t physically need to use anymore because I mapped their buttons on the app. They’ll also show up for alexa, but mostly basic command like turning them on or off. The trick here is to make a “scene” on the switchbot app, which basically just presses the specific button or sequence of buttons you want, then add that scene to alexa. On alexa, make a routine: “when I say ___” -> play scene. It’s a funky process but once you set it up it will work flawlessly, and alexa just sends the forwards to the switchbot app to get the exact button on the remote you want. For something’s alexa knows what to do already, so it’s even better. So far it’s a solid product. Only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because it didn’t work out of the box, and that I feel like this could’ve been a little cheaper. Like if you just pick this thing up you’ll know it couldn’t have cost more than 7 bucks to make. Still serving its purpose way better than I expected, with no lags so can’t complain. Read more