Hello Home Assistant forums!
This blueprint is one that I made to slightly simplify the process of sending notifications to Alexa devices while using Alexa Media Player, in a way inspired by Grumblezz’s Notify Mobile Companion Devices script. While the notify service provided by AMP isn’t super complex, I wasn’t aware of some of its functionality (namely the Announce notification type) and wanted a GUI-driven way to quickly set those parameters.
Getting started
First, you need to install Alexa Media Player and make sure it’s working.
Once you’ve done that, click the below button to add the blueprint to your install, then create a script from it. Make sure to give it a memorable name!
Alternatively, if you want to see the source before importing it, here is a link to the blueprint on GitHub.
Using the script
The YAML reference is as follows:
message
- The message that you want to be read out using TTS. Iftype
isannounce
, you can use Amazon’s flavor of SSML markup in your message.type
- One of three values, described below.tts
- Alexa will speak using Alexa’s Simon Says skill and will not sync between devices. This does not work with an Alexa Whole House Audio group (WHA). This does allow messages to phone apps which the Announce function does not.announce
- This functionality will result in a beep prior to speaking. It can also allow display on Echo Shows/Spots. Whole House Audio groups are supported. It does not appear to sync across devices.push
- This will send a mobile push notification to any Alexa apps linked to the target Alexa device.
title
(optional) - The title to display. Only works withannounce
andpush
notifications.devices
(optional) - The device(s) to direct the notifications to. These take device IDs, and translates them to entity IDs. If this is not supplied, all Alexa devices will be notified.
Despite what the UI says, there is no response variable support.
Hopefully some of you find this useful! It’s my first blueprint, but I think it has value.
UPDATES
2024.03.7
Fixed a small issue where it would try to include a title when none is supplied, leading to spurious log file messages. Thanks @masterpete!
2024.03.29
Added a description for when you’re first creating a script using this blueprint. Thanks @Tockra and nothra on Github!