Devices I Use to Power ON/OFF my Pinball Machines

TL;DR

Tutorial on using Wi-Fi smart plugs and Alexa to remotely power pinball machines on/off

Summary

Key Claims

• Using a separate wireless router for Wi-Fi plugs reduces latency and connection issues with primary network devices

  medium confidence · Cary Hardy recommends getting a separate wireless router to command multiple Wi-Fi plugs on multiple games to lessen extra devices/noise causing latency issues

• Smart Life Wi-Fi plugs have extra features that Cary Hardy has never actually used

  high confidence · Cary explicitly states he's never used the extra features that come with the plugs despite them being available

• Alexa voice recognition has difficulty with the word 'mnemonic' in game names like Johnny Mnemonic

  high confidence · Multiple failed attempts to activate 'Johnny Mnemonic' using voice commands; Alexa does not understand the word 'mnemonic'

• Alexa can misinterpret conversation as commands when her name is mentioned in normal speech

  high confidence · Cary demonstrates Alexa activating when he says 'Alexa' while talking to someone else, then addresses this as a concern

Notable Quotes

• “I would be lying if I said I miss turning on my machines one at a time.”

  Cary Hardy@ 0:00 — Establishes his preference for automation over manual power-on

• “With a simple request using this Wi-Fi plug I can turn on whatever device it's connected to with my voice.”

  Cary Hardy@ 0:15 — Core value proposition of the setup

• “I'm not telling you what you should do. I am just showing you another way. This method works for me. I like it.”

  Cary Hardy@ 3:08 — Addresses anticipated criticism about laziness; frames as personal preference not prescription

• “Alexa, turn on Johnny Mnemonic. Hmm, I'm not sure. Alexa, turn off Johnny Mnemonic. Hmm, I don't know that. So we've got a conflict here. Evidently she does not understand the word mnemonic.”

  Cary Hardy@ 4:33 — Demonstrates specific limitation in voice recognition with certain game titles

• “I have a love hate relationship with alexa because there are times where she does everything she's supposed to but then there's those times where it's like i'm talking to my wife she doesn't listen”

  Cary Hardy@ 8:20 — Summarizes the unreliability and unpredictability of the Alexa system

Entities

Signals

• ?

  product_strategy: Aftermarket smart home solutions emerging for pinball machine quality-of-life improvements beyond direct game modifications

  medium · Discussion of Wi-Fi plugs, routing setup, and multi-machine control routines as practical solutions for collectors with multiple machines

• ?

  technology_signal: Pinball collectors adopting smart home technology (Wi-Fi plugs, voice assistants) for machine management and convenience

  high · Cary Hardy's detailed tutorial on integrating Alexa and Wi-Fi plugs into pinball collection management workflow; assumes audience interest in similar setup

Topics

Sentiment

mixed(0.55)— Cary is enthusiastic about the automation convenience but frustrated by Alexa's unreliability and recognition failures. He's patient in demonstrating the system but clearly exasperated by repeated failures with 'Johnny Mnemonic' and occasional false triggers. Overall positive about the concept, negative about execution consistency.