What about what they described makes you think they’re not in control? It’s the same principle as a mercury switch thermostat; figure out what you want the system to do and then automate it so you don’t have to constantly screw with it.
Well technically Amazon/Google/Philips/whoever is in charge of turning on the lights. You just happen to be sending a message that you want your lights turned on, but next week they might ask for a little more personal information or they won’t turn on the lights.
Hence for example using a clip lead on the bare terminals to turn your HVAC on and off when you feel the need, rather than automating the maintenance of temperature by such unworthy means as a thermostat.
