Introduction
Update:
We are sorry to announce that Futurehome will not enroll any more Google Home beta testers on the current solution.
Futurehome is currently not able to comply with the new implementation requirements Google introduced.
We are and have been working on a foundation that will allow us comply with the requirements, but that also means we will have to "restart" the beta program when the new implementation is ready. New integration will be in place in 2020.
Google Home will continue to work using IFTTT.com
This article is a guide on how to setup a connection between Google Home and Futurehome. The Google Home integration is still in beta testing, meaning you need an invitation to participate in the testing. If you want to participate you can apply here. Remember to use the google account you use with Google Home.
All communication about Google Home integration must be done in English on the Slack community in the private dedicated channel for #google_home.
Functionality
With the Google Home integration you can use a Google Assistant enabled device to control your devices in Futurehome, this can be through Google Home or an Android phone.
When you connect Futurehome with the Google Home app, all supported devices from active Futurehome site will be added to the Google Home app.
Supported devices:
- Lights - Dimmers and relays (color lights is not supported)
- Appliances - All on/off appliances in Futurehome will show up
- Shortcuts - All shortcuts will show up as scenes in Google Home
- Modes - One device with the site name will be the "mode switch" in Google Home
- Thermostats - One thermostat per room in Futurehome, if the room supports it.
- Door locks - not supported by Google
Connect
To connect Google Home to Futurehome you need the Google Home app, and an invitation for the email you use with Google Home.
Click the link to enable the Futurehome integration in the Google Home app.
After opening the link, follow the steps the below.
https://console.actions.google.com/project/g-assistant-prod/simulatorcreate?isDeepLink
After the link is pressed:
- Open the Google Home app
- Press the Add button
- Select Set up device and then select Works with Google
- You should see [test] Futurehome
- If you don't see [test] Futurehome, check the link one more time, and be sure that you are logged in with the same Google account that you use for the Google Home app.
- Click [test] Futurehome and log in with your Futurehome user.
- When you log in the Google Home app will get all device from active site, so if you have several sites in your Futurehome app be sure that the active one is the one you want to connect.
- Give Google Home access when prompted with the question.
- When the app is done loading you should be taken back to the device overview with all your Futurehome devices.
Usage
As mentioned under Functionality there are only some supported devices in Google Home, this is mainly due to missing device types and traits in Google Actions API
After Futurehome is connected all devices will have the Futurehome names with room name in parentheses. The name of the device should be changed to something that's easy to remember and use with Google Home. Devices also need to be placed in rooms in Google Home
Mode switch
After connecting you will get one device named after the site name. It's recommended to change the name of this device to Apartment or House or something that can be used in this sentence:
Ok Google, set the apartment in home mode. Home can be replaced with away, sleep or vacation.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts are converted to scenes in Google Home. A scene can be trigged with the following:
Ok Google, activate dinner scene.
It's recommended to name your scenes so that they are easy to trigger.
Lights
Lights can be dimmed or turned on/off. You can also ask Google to turn off or on all lights in the home or in a room.
Appliances
Appliances can be turned on/off.
Sync
If you add new Futurehome devices or shortcuts you can ask Google to sync your devices. This will add new Futurehome devices to your Google Home app.
Unlink
To unlink the Futurehome connection you press the [test] Futurehome in the Google Home app and select unlink. All Futurehome devices will disappear from the Google Home app.