GA Openers Truly Compatible with Google Assistant?

[pgtr]

In planning the build of a new home and shop, I want to incorporate openers that are compatible with Google Assistant (via Google Home/Nest?).

Background:
I'll also have a Nest thermostat, Nest doorbell, Nest protect and a couple cameras. I'll have a total of 3 or 4 separate GA doors: 1 on the detached shop and either 2 or 3 on the attached house GA (three 1-car doors or 1-car + a 2-car door)

I'm interested in incorporating the openers (or some of them) into the Google Assistant / Google Home / Nest ecosystem. But of course I need to make a selection for the builder.

Chamberlain:
Figures prominently in searches. I see mixed reviews on the Chamberlain line in this regard. Most articles steer towards their MYQ-G0201 controller. While this looks like a good solution for some as it is designed to control older openers - I'm starting new and newer controllers should be Wi-Fi smart home compatible w/o an additional controller.

Reading on the Chamberlain/Liftmasters suggests that while they work well with the MyQ ecosystem - they can be somewhat problematic and challenging to integrate with Google Assistant and Google Home. In fact the Chamberlain language is somewhat ambiguous as to whether it works Google and even indicates a subscription. A subscription is not worth it to me.

Genie:
I see similar comments on the Genie line w/ their Aladdin controlled openers. At least they are not quite so ambiguous and even display the Google Assistant logo. But some report problems w/ getting them to work properly via Google Home / Assistant anyway.

Those are the 2 biggies I've looked at in this regard. I'd appreciate feedback, pitfalls or known successes with new(er) openers that work well with Google Assistant.

Thanks,

 

[soloz2]

I have Chamberlain MyQ openers. They work well. I have several Echo devices and an Ecobee instead of Google/Nest setup so I can't comment on that integration, but I know Google is listed while Alexa is not. Every so often my openers disconnect and I'm not 100% sure why, but when they are not connected I have no smart control, when connected they work well. It is rare they are down for more than a few seconds and reconnect quick enough to not really cause any issue. Overall I like the openers. Quiet, fast, stop if one of my dogs runs under my he door, etc. Pretty much everything you need from an opener.
I also added one of the MyQ light switches. Works well for my courtyard light in which the switch is located in my detached garage. I have a spare opener in my house that can turn on and off the light as well as open either door. I have the light set to a timer and can control the light and the doors by app on my phone. This gives me physical controls in both the house and garage and wireless controls in both cars as well as app control. Sadly, just no voice control due to Alexa not working.
You don't need the separate controller if you get MyQ openers. This also eliminates the need for extra sensors on the doors. If buying new I'd get openers with MyQ built in so you didn't have to get anything extra.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pgtr]

Thanks for the follow-up. I did some more digging.

It looks like in order to activate Google Assistant with Chamberlain's MyQ - you HAVE to pay a subscription of $12/year. (there are convoluted hacks to get around this if one is so inclined)

It kinda looks like that in order to get their 'smart' MyQ openers to interface w/ Google Assistant - you may still have to buy the MyQ controller even if you already have smart/wifi Chamberlain openers w/ the MyQ logo. The Smart MyQ logo on an opener just means it works with their mobile apps and WiFI - but not that they interface w/ other ecosystems such as Google Assistant. For that privilege you have to pay.

The MyQ appears to be somewhat it's own competing smart-home ecosystem with it's own app. Nothing wrong with that - but I don't want to have to deal with multiple smart home ecosystems. Nor subscriptions.

Genie also has a smart home automation option with their WiFi openers, creatively called 'Aladdin' that also claims to be able to link to Google Assistant. No subscription req'd from what I can tell. Ignoring the quality of their openers for the moment - their Aladdin system does not appear to have the favorable reviews of MyQ.

I would have thought by 2020 home automation would have come further along than this given the interest by heavy hitters like Google, Amazon and Alexa and exceedingly simplistic nature of motorized garage doors that have been with us for decades.

I'll keep looking and post back any more I learn.

Thanks

 

[pgtr]

Also, since home automation involving garage door openers appears to be a bit off the reservation for the usual GarageJournal.com discussions - perhaps if anybody knows of any good home automation forums they might recommend - they might share?

if anyone is interested - I'll post back what I learn...

Thanks,

 

[pgtr]

I think my preference would be to go with Chamberlain. But...

Decided to go w/ Genie as their Aladdin connect and google integration for smart-home solutions is free whereas Chamberlain charges a monthly fee to unlock their smarthome connectivity to other systems outside their own ecosystem. Genie now offers some wall mount units too.

For me it came down to not paying Chamberlain a monthly fee for the rest of my time in the house and shop (up to 4 openers too) for the next couple decades.

 

[soloz2]

I think my preference would be to go with Chamberlain. But...

Decided to go w/ Genie as their Aladdin connect and google integration for smart-home solutions is free whereas Chamberlain charges a monthly fee to unlock their smarthome connectivity to other systems outside their own ecosystem. Genie now offers some wall mount units too.

For me it came down to not paying Chamberlain a monthly fee for the rest of my time in the house and shop (up to 4 openers too) for the next couple decades.

Chamberlain does not charge a monthly fee.

 

[Citation]

You might consider a conventional opener + a smart switch upgrade. There really isn't much to a smart opener. Here is an example of a retrofit system that simply acts as a second wired button plus a for closed sensor.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NNVX1K7/?tag=atomicindus08-20
This is an example not a specific endorsement.

 

[pgtr]

Chamberlain does not charge a monthly fee.

They absolutely do. In order to integrate a Chamberlain MyQ opener with Google Nest, or other non-MyQ smart-home solution you absolutely have to have premium subscription to enable that integration. As I recall it is $1/Month or $10/Year with a 30 day free intro period with a credit card. The terms of the MyQ subscription are on their site (and brought up in various reviews on CHamberlain MyQ openers).

It is of course free if you stay within their MyQ ecosystem for controlling the opener. And the MyQ ecosystem can do more - it appears to be somewhat of a smart-home solution itself.

Last time I checked they offered a free trial for this 'subscription'. They might have extended that. At some point I wouldn't be surprised if the throw in the towel and stop attempting to charge a subscription fee for integration to non-MyQ home automation solutions such as Google Nest or similar...

Keep in mind - Even to enable the temporary 'free' subscription you'll have to provide a credit card presumably for when the free period runs out.

I'm sure there's hacks to not pay the subscription. I don't want to hack around avoiding fees and don't want to introduce further devices and I don't want to give out credit card info anymore and I don't want to link any more accounts and I don't want to buy any additional 3rd party controller hardware and I don't want to deal with multiple home-automation software/apps - just want to keep things as simple, cheap and straightforward as possible. Just need to have my (non-MyQ) home automation system be able to send the doors up or down and to know what position they are in.