Octopus Home Mini

subjecttocontract

It looks like I'm missing the point as I have absolutely no idea what this device will do for me. Can anyone tell me ?

masonic

subjecttocontract said:

It looks like I'm missing the point as I have absolutely no idea what this device will do for me. Can anyone tell me ?

Essentially you'll have a better IHD available within your app, that will enable you to see live usage and up to date usage over time.

Spoonie_Turtle

FreeBear said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Is your phone on the same wifi network as the mini will be connecting to?  (Including any range extenders.)

The tablet is on the 2.4GHz WiFi, but that is not the problem. The issue is with the app refusing to access Location (even although it has permission).

Ah right, yes I see I misunderstood (painkillers have kicked in now!), sorry.  A strange problem.

Does the app maybe need updating?  If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall perhaps.

t0rt0ise

I was going to suggest that bluetooth was off but I see someone has already suggested it. You only need it on while connecting and can turn it off afterwards.

FreeBear

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Is your phone on the same wifi network as the mini will be connecting to?  (Including any range extenders.)

The tablet is on the 2.4GHz WiFi, but that is not the problem. The issue is with the app refusing to access Location (even although it has permission).

Location services are working yes? Sometimes a restart is needed if there are issues.

Other apps (e.g. Chrome) can access location.

Have done a reboot. No change.

Android Settings tells me Location is enabled for the Octopus app, yet the app claims it isn't.

I wonder if the error is a red herring. It also needs Bluetooth, could that be what's missing?

Have a bluetooth app that I've used for serial debugging (supports standard BT and BLE). Connects fine to some BLE sensors (Xiaomi Mi), so I know BT works. Going in to Android settings, I can see the Home Mini and can trigger a pairing, although that fails (probably due to needing a key).

subjecttocontract

masonic said:

subjecttocontract said:

It looks like I'm missing the point as I have absolutely no idea what this device will do for me. Can anyone tell me ?

Essentially you'll have a better IHD available within your app, that will enable you to see live usage and up to date usage over time.

I already have an IHD which I never use.
I don't use apps, don't have a smart mobile phone and I dont need live data.
My electric bill is paid by direct debit and it is what it is.
I guess it's ok for people that like gadgets to play with but it's likely to be wasted on me.

masonic

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Is your phone on the same wifi network as the mini will be connecting to?  (Including any range extenders.)

The tablet is on the 2.4GHz WiFi, but that is not the problem. The issue is with the app refusing to access Location (even although it has permission).

Location services are working yes? Sometimes a restart is needed if there are issues.

Other apps (e.g. Chrome) can access location.

Have done a reboot. No change.

Android Settings tells me Location is enabled for the Octopus app, yet the app claims it isn't.

I wonder if the error is a red herring. It also needs Bluetooth, could that be what's missing?

Have a bluetooth app that I've used for serial debugging (supports standard BT and BLE). Connects fine to some BLE sensors (Xiaomi Mi), so I know BT works. Going in to Android settings, I can see the Home Mini and can trigger a pairing, although that fails (probably due to needing a key).

That's normal about not being able to pair over BT. Coming back to location, what happens if you set it to 'Ask every time'? Do you get a prompt to allow it? I gave my app access to precise location, although I don't know if that's necessary.

masonic

subjecttocontract said:

masonic said:

subjecttocontract said:

It looks like I'm missing the point as I have absolutely no idea what this device will do for me. Can anyone tell me ?

Essentially you'll have a better IHD available within your app, that will enable you to see live usage and up to date usage over time.

I already have an IHD which I never use.
I don't use apps, don't have a smart mobile phone and I dont need live data.
My electric bill is paid by direct debit and it is what it is.
I guess it's ok for people that like gadgets to play with but it's likely to be wasted on me.

If you're on a conventional tariff, then it is probably not much use. It is more useful for time-of-use tariffs, but without a smartphone or tablet it wouldn't be useable anyway.

FreeBear

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Is your phone on the same wifi network as the mini will be connecting to?  (Including any range extenders.)

The tablet is on the 2.4GHz WiFi, but that is not the problem. The issue is with the app refusing to access Location (even although it has permission).

Location services are working yes? Sometimes a restart is needed if there are issues.

Other apps (e.g. Chrome) can access location.

Have done a reboot. No change.

Android Settings tells me Location is enabled for the Octopus app, yet the app claims it isn't.

I wonder if the error is a red herring. It also needs Bluetooth, could that be what's missing?

Have a bluetooth app that I've used for serial debugging (supports standard BT and BLE). Connects fine to some BLE sensors (Xiaomi Mi), so I know BT works. Going in to Android settings, I can see the Home Mini and can trigger a pairing, although that fails (probably due to needing a key).

That's normal about not being able to pair over BT. Coming back to location, what happens if you set it to 'Ask every time'? Do you get a prompt to allow it? I gave my app access to precise location, although I don't know if that's necessary.

Permission to access location is an all or nothing. No option to set "ask every time". Been through every system option I can think of.

masonic

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

masonic said:

FreeBear said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Is your phone on the same wifi network as the mini will be connecting to?  (Including any range extenders.)

The tablet is on the 2.4GHz WiFi, but that is not the problem. The issue is with the app refusing to access Location (even although it has permission).

Location services are working yes? Sometimes a restart is needed if there are issues.

Other apps (e.g. Chrome) can access location.

Have done a reboot. No change.

Android Settings tells me Location is enabled for the Octopus app, yet the app claims it isn't.

I wonder if the error is a red herring. It also needs Bluetooth, could that be what's missing?

Have a bluetooth app that I've used for serial debugging (supports standard BT and BLE). Connects fine to some BLE sensors (Xiaomi Mi), so I know BT works. Going in to Android settings, I can see the Home Mini and can trigger a pairing, although that fails (probably due to needing a key).

That's normal about not being able to pair over BT. Coming back to location, what happens if you set it to 'Ask every time'? Do you get a prompt to allow it? I gave my app access to precise location, although I don't know if that's necessary.

Permission to access location is an all or nothing. No option to set "ask every time". Been through every system option I can think of.

So Android 9 or below. It might be worth trying on a newer device if you have one. Just for the initial set up. In any case, trying a different device was probably the next logical step.