I bought one of these recently http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00PQ0KNBA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
As my layout is out in the shed I 'can' be discouraged by going out there when it is so cold, but with this socket, which I have plugged my little oil filled radiator into, I can sit in the living room, switch it on via an app on my phone, leave it to warm up for 20-30 mins and go out into a nice warm shed 
Fortunately my shed is in range of my wireless router in the house so it is all controlled via WiFi on the network.  It, no doubt, has other applications, but this is the best one I have found for it 
It also has various timer functions but I like the idea of being able to switch it on and off as I wish.
Bit of a faff setting it up, but so far I have had no issues with it (apart from forgetting to switch it off on Saturday) and I am less discouraged to get in the shed

Clever stuff, the ad lists various  uses including electric toothbrushes , still trying
to work that out.........

We use network enabled outlet strips at work, I can connect from home in Colorado to our lab in Silicon valley, turn on power to the stuff I'm working on and off we go.
Saves having to travel 1000 miles just to throw a switch!

John P

Quote from: Agrippa on November 18, 2015, 02:38:49 PM
Clever stuff, the ad lists various  uses including electric toothbrushes , still trying
to work that out.........

It's so when his teeth are in a glass at the side of the bed he can still clean them while he's downstairs

Lawrence
Thought this was a great idea as I have a similar problem with my layout being in the garage. Ordered on on Friday and delivered today Sunday, great!

Only problem is the instruction say download app from Apple Store called "WiWo" and all that does is bring up a German language app "WirtschaftsWoche".

How did you manage to downloadbthe software, I am using an iPad and Idon't have a smart phone, so any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Ray

Panic over, managed to download App having Googled Makers name, but your right about a Faff to set up now on my 5th attempt to configure keeps telling my passwords wrong, when its not   

May be back for advice on that front if things don't improve.

Ray

Hi Ray, sorry have been away from home all week, if you look on the amazon page (assuming you got it there) someone has done a guide for ipad/phone type products, something like
1. Install the WiWo app via AppStore
2. Plug in the ORVIBO and it will immediately start to flag red
3. Hold in the button for 5 secs and it will start to flash blue
4. On your iPhone, go to Settings->WiFi and the ORVIBO S20 should now show in the list. Select it and wait for the tick
5. Open up the WiWo app
6. Click on the 3 lines with dots at the LH side (see picture below), and select more
7. Click on AP Configuration
8. Keep pressing next through to step 6
9. Now select the wifi router, and enter the wifi password for the router and confirm this
10. You will now get a message advising that a light-out reset has been applied...whatever that means?!
11. The plug has now been linked to the router although the app doesn't show it?!
12. Select the 3 lines with dots at the top LH corner and click on device
13. Now click on the + at the top RH corner, then search and the plug will show!

I'm on android so I had to mess about about but I found switching it off and leaving it for a minute or two helped

Thanks for the info Lawrence
Couldn't get it working the first day so left it a day or two but having read some of those reviews you mentioned tried again.
The secret seemed  (for me at least) to be pressing the button on the socket to change the light from red to blue then back to red because after doing that I got it to work.
Thanks again for the heads up on this as a warm railway room now awaits me too.

Ray

I have recently upgraded to the 'Internet of things' by investing in a Nest thermostat, smoke/carbon monoxide detector and camera.

The thermostat learns your habits, recognizes when you are at home or away through movement sensors and can be controlled from an app on your phone. So when you have been away and are on your way home you can make sure the house is toasty (or cool) by the time you get home. The camera is also pretty cool.

My motivation was to save on heating and cooling costs, but you can also buy products that access the Nest system and can timer control lights, heaters etc. it will be interesting to see how rapidly (or otherwise) this technology is adopted...

Quote from: newportnobby on November 18, 2015, 08:08:32 PM

Quote from: Agrippa on November 18, 2015, 02:38:49 PM
Clever stuff, the ad lists various  uses including electric toothbrushes , still trying
to work that out.........

It's so when his teeth are in a glass at the side of the bed he can still clean them while he's downstairs