Geographical restrictions

[PaulGuijt]

I have alexa-fhem nicely running. Looked for FHEM in the Alexa app. In vain. Googled for 'fhem alexa skill' and found Andre's connector at Amazon. They only stated, "You are not eligible to enable this skill due to geographical restrictions."

Later, I realised it was an Alexa issue, not of the FHEM module. At https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/custom-skills/develop-skills-in-multiple-languages.html#h2-multiple-endpoints, I got the idea that the skill itself may have an issue with its endpoint.

[justme-1968]

no. it is actually much simpler than that :).

the skill is currently available in german, english (us and gb), french and italian. this is also indicated on the skill page in the alexa app.

from your name i would guess you are from the neatherlands? what language are you using for your echo?

if you switch your echo to one of these languages you will be able to activate and use the skill.

the reason for this language constraint is the requirement from amazon that the description text and examples on the skill overview page have to be in the native language.

as i only speak german and english this is all i can provide. french and italian have already been contributed by users.

if you are willing to provide me with a translation for this page to your language of choice i can use it to add it to the skill activation page.

[PaulGuijt]

I wish it was. I doubt it is a matter of language. I don't have the Echo because I don't like forwarding my speech to a server; I only have the Alexa app. I had the app language set to English. After switching it to German, I still can't find the FHEM Connector skill. On the Amazon site on the world-wide (sic) web, it keeps whining about geographical limitations—not about language incompatibility. Best wishes | vriendelijke groet | lep pozdrav, Paul

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------ Oorspronkelijke bericht ------ Van "justme-1968" ***@***.***> Aan "justme-1968/alexa-fhem" ***@***.***> CC "Paul Guijt" ***@***.***>; "Author" ***@***.***> Datum 10-12-2024 09:12:33 Onderwerp Re: [justme-1968/alexa-fhem] Geographical restrictions (Issue #30)

no. it is actually much simpler than that 😀. the skill is currently available in german, english (us and gb), french and italian. this is also indicated on the skill page in the alexa app. from your name i would guess you are from the neatherlands? what language are you using for your echo? if you switch your echo to one of these languages you will be able to activate and use the skill. the reason for this language constraint is the requirement from amazon that the description text and examples on the skill overview page have to be in the native language. as i only speak german and english this is all i can provide. french and italian have already been contributed by users. if you are willing to provide me with a translation for this page to your language of choice i can use it to add it to the skill activation page. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#30 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AENOBESDHO2CZK6WZYV3WIL2E2O7DAVCNFSM6AAAAABTKNCRP2VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDKMZQG42DIOBSGI>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[justme-1968]

i'm still pretty sure it is language related and not region related. i know for a fact that the skill is used in different regions in europe and abroad with ohne of the supported languages.

which web page exactly are you referring to?

are you using android or ios?

[justme-1968]

also please check out this page: https://developer.amazon.com/de-DE/docs/alexa/custom-skills/develop-skills-in-multiple-languages.html#h2-distribution . especially the restrictions regarding primary language for a region.

[PaulGuijt]

https://www.amazon.com/Andre-Schr%C3%B6ter-FHEM-Connector/dp/B07MM63ZY3 I'm using Android. Can you add Dutch easily, or do I need to translate first? Best wishes | vriendelijke groet | lep pozdrav, Paul

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------ Oorspronkelijke bericht ------ Van "justme-1968" ***@***.***> Aan "justme-1968/alexa-fhem" ***@***.***> CC "Paul Guijt" ***@***.***>; "Author" ***@***.***> Datum 10-12-2024 10:15:33 Onderwerp Re: [justme-1968/alexa-fhem] Geographical restrictions (Issue #30)

i'm still pretty sure it is language related and not region related. i know for a fact that the skill is used in different regions in europe and abroad with ohne of the supported languages. which web page exactly are you referring to? are you using android or ios? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#30 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AENOBEV333OACP6H43IFJTL2E2WLLAVCNFSM6AAAAABTKNCRP2VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDKMZQHEZDGNZVGE>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[justme-1968]

i need a translation to add a new language and submit the skill for review. the review then will take a few days to weeks. and we have to hope the review does not get stuck in some random ridiculous issue as it does most of the time.

but if you provide me with an email address i can add you immediately to the beta test version for this and you should be able to use it immediately.

[PaulGuijt]

I read, "Your skill can be used by customers in Germany who have set their devices to use English (UK)." I set my entire phone to English (US) and found your skill. I added English to my languages and set it as the default. Then I kept English on that list, set Dutch as my primary language, and couldn't find Fhem anymore. Then I installed your skill and one of Bosch successfully. I changed back to Dutch and couldn't find them anymore in "Your Skills". 1. Amazon means 'language' instead of 'geographical'. 2. There are more than 1000 languages worldwide, so each developer must be a polyglot. Enjoy. 3. To use Skills, I will have to wait until every one of them is distributed in Dutch. Thanks for your Module and Skill anyway, and your support here. Best wishes | vriendelijke groet | lep pozdrav, Paul

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------ Oorspronkelijke bericht ------ Van "justme-1968" ***@***.***> Aan "justme-1968/alexa-fhem" ***@***.***> CC "Paul Guijt" ***@***.***>; "Author" ***@***.***> Datum 10-12-2024 10:24:21 Onderwerp Re: [justme-1968/alexa-fhem] Geographical restrictions (Issue #30)

also please check out this page: https://developer.amazon.com/de-DE/docs/alexa/custom-skills/develop-skills-in-multiple-languages.html#h2-distribution . especially the restrictions regarding primary language for a region. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#30 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AENOBESGEVC533ETRLXDZVD2E2XMLAVCNFSM6AAAAABTKNCRP2VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDKMZQHE2TSMZYHE>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[PaulGuijt]

My God, what a stupid added burden here! Well, I have the same issue with the Skill of Bosch to connect my thermostat. And will have with many other Skills that I might consider. I'm dropping Alexa. I have FHEM nicely running and will look for different ways to connect through the Internet. Best wishes | vriendelijke groet | lep pozdrav, Paul

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------ Oorspronkelijke bericht ------ Van "justme-1968" ***@***.***> Aan "justme-1968/alexa-fhem" ***@***.***> CC "Paul Guijt" ***@***.***>; "Author" ***@***.***> Datum 10-12-2024 10:47:50 Onderwerp Re: [justme-1968/alexa-fhem] Geographical restrictions (Issue #30)

i need a translation to add a new language and submit the skill for review. the review then will take a few days to weeks. and we have to hope the review does not get stuck in some random ridiculous issue as it does most of the time. but if you provide me with an email address i can add you immediately to the beta test version for this and you should be able to use it immediately. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#30 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AENOBEXP5DCYC7EIBTTH5X32E22ENAVCNFSM6AAAAABTKNCRP2VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDKMZRGAZTONBQGM>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[justme-1968]

as the alexa speech recognition engine on the amazon backend only understands a hand full of languages anyway there ist no need to support 1000... :)

it is basically english, german, french, spanish, japanese, arabic, hindi and dutch (with some variations each).

as dutch is on this list I only need a translation of the skill landing page and with some patience for the review process we should get it working.

but yes. you will have the same problem with every skill and I don't know if bosch for example is willing to enable dutch.

also: you are aware that even alexa one the phone will send your speech to the amazon background services for processing? you only might be able to little more sure that the recording is only running when the app is in the foreground / the button is pressed. but then again the echo devices only send the voice data if the activation word is recognised.

for access to fhem from remote: I would suggest to use a vpn to connect to your home and use one of the regular frontends. alexa (and the other speech assistants) are really intended to be used by speech. gui control is just a (nice) side effect.

[PaulGuijt]

So, just in Europe, it leaves out Danish, Polish, Portuguese, Greek, etc. etc. Please don't worry, I'm willing to translate it for you in Dutch. Any Slovene users? The Bosch heating appliances are originally Dutch, so I have some faith. It's good to know more about Alexa listening. I have yet to choose between Alexa and Google Home. Yes, I already use the VPN/FHEM route. It works fine; I am looking for something else. My current ambition is to eventually feed my Ring cameras with the presence info from FHEM or the Bosch thermostat. Ring can't do that, and I see the thermostat shares only temperatures through Alexa. So it will take a while. Frankly, I want to have FHEM managing everything: FHEM for CEO. Best wishes | vriendelijke groet | lep pozdrav, Paul

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------ Oorspronkelijke bericht ------ Van "justme-1968" ***@***.***> Aan "justme-1968/alexa-fhem" ***@***.***> CC "Paul Guijt" ***@***.***>; "Author" ***@***.***> Datum 10-12-2024 11:31:04 Onderwerp Re: [justme-1968/alexa-fhem] Geographical restrictions (Issue #30)

as the alexa speech recognition engine on the amazon backend only understands a hand full of languages anyway there ist no need to support 1000... 😀 it is basically english, german, french, spanish, japanese, arabic, hindi and dutch (with some variations each). as dutch is on this list I only need a translation of the skill landing page and with some patience for the review process we should get it working. but yes. you will have the same problem with every skill and I don't know if bosch for example is willing to enable dutch. also: you are aware that even alexa one the phone will send your speech to the amazon background services for processing? you only might be able to little more sure that the recording is only running when the app is in the foreground / the button is pressed. but then again the echo devices only send the voice data if the activation word is recognised. for access to fhem from remote: I would suggest to use a vpn to connect to your home and use one of the regular frontends. alexa (and the other speech assistants) are really intended to be used by speech. gui control is just a (nice) side effect. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#30 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AENOBEUKBV5HJGJ5K2UOACL2E27GRAVCNFSM6AAAAABTKNCRP2VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDKMZRGE2TAMRQGE>. You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>