Google Home in Darkroom

[Alan Newman]

I've considered getting a Google Home to put in the Darkroom. The things that appeal to me are the ability to listen to music/radio, and set timers by voice control. Obviously need to tape over all the LEDs. Accessibility settings could be used to play a sound when "ok google" is detected so the LEDs aren't needed.

Any one else been crazy enough to give this a go?

 

[darkroommike]

I would even worry about the LED's try it and get back to us.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

"OK Google. Develop my film".

 

[mgb74]

I question the use as a precise timer as, at least in my limited experience, I don't know precisely when it starts. Might be OK for fixer and wash though.

 

[Christopher Barrett]

I have a Sonos with Alexa in the darkroom. In the app you can disable the lights
Awesome to have voice control over music. I've only ever used the timer when I'm brewing tea.

"Alexa, is this image even any good or am I just wasting paper?"

 

[pentaxuser]

Wow this is a whole new world to me. If I invest in any of these wonderful devices can anyone guarantee that I will reach consensus on the minimum quantity of Perceptol needed to develop a film

pentaxuser

 

[Peter Schrager]

I would actually believe we go into the darkroom yo get away from this B.S.
no offense to original poster

 

[afriman]

I would actually believe we go into the darkroom yo get away from this B.S.
no offense to original poster

I reckon anything that can make life in the darkroom easier is welcome, as long as it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the process. If this works well and and makes timing easier, I really can't see why it should be considered B.S. I've always found setting, starting and stopping a timer a bit of a pain. Being able to do it hands-free could help make the whole process a lot smoother.

 

[jvo]

the ability to set a timer by voice command sounds great! choosing music by voice as well... the downside is the network, multiple parties and data gathering...

i'll pass and keep pushing buttons - call me paranoid.

 

[Lanline]

I have Alexa in my darkroom. I have the LED lights black taped out. It's extremely handy. I can use it as an voice controlled intercom if my wife needs to reach me in the darkroom, I can make or receive calls via voice control, play music and I use the timer as a reminder end a washing cycle. Granted, I go in the darkroom to escape - but if there is a call from my family I can answer it without opening my phone and flooding the darkroom with light and the music is also central to my escape in the darkroom.

 

[Bob Carnie]

For the last five years I have not had music playing while I work... I miss it so much that the new space I am building is going to have a kick ass sound system throughout the whole space and I am going to research the best way to bring the music to the speakers. I have always preferred to purchase the cd's as I believe the musicians make more money this way , call me sentimental but thats how I think, I have quite a collection now that I want to assemble play lists.

 

[John Galt]

I would actually believe we go into the darkroom yo get away from this B.S.
no offense to original poster

^^what peter said ^^

I have a tiny portable radio I bring in the DR with me . . listen to talk radio while in there

 

[jvo]

(sarcasm alert)... first, photrio, goes digital, then a digital robot is in the darkroom. i can hear it now "film is dead"!

 

[Jim Jones]

About 40 years ago I designed an analog electronic darkroom timer where the time was set with a variable resistor which could have been replaced with three rotary switches that could be set in the dark by feel. Changing between the three modes of focus, time, and enlarger off was selected by a simple floor switch. It works well without having to look at the unit. Unfortunately, the prototype and schematic were lost in a darkroom fire. Perhaps some of the newer digital timers could be modified to work this way.