Forum menu
For next 6hrs (till midnight)
Edit...
Buy 3 Dots and get £20 off using code DOT3PACK at checkout.
So £85 for 3.
I was trying to resist this but £35 isn't that different from a cheap DAB radio. And with the [url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/UK-Radioplayer-Ltd/dp/B01M13BOP1 ]radio skill[/url] it sounds like I might be able to say 'alexa, ask radio player to play BBC radio 4' and then, if thought for the day is on, 'alexa, ask radio player to play BBC radio 6'. Just a shame it can't play stuff from Apple music.
You just say "Alexa, play radio 4".
I use tune in radio add on.
THese are ruddy brilliant.
Annoyingly, I just spent £110 on a refurb echo for my son's room.
I think I might buy another dot in prep for our kitchen renovation.
Then I'll book into "echo anonymous rehab" as I really have a problem....
DrP
hypothetically, then, what might a chap need to get started - echo and dot or what ?
Further info:
Buy 3 Dots and get £20 off using code DOT3PACK at checkout.
So £85 for 3. 😀
Obviously I would have added that to the OP if we had a proper forum with editing functionality 😉
what can it do that Siri can't? - genuine question.
Aren't you concerned that 'they' are using these devices to monitor citizens? not so genuine question.
Stop it I'm trying not to ignore it.
Aren't you concerned that 'they' are using these devices to monitor citizens? not so genuine question.
Well if they want to hear what I'm discussing having for tea or what time I've got to pick the kids up I'm not concerned.
I have a Google home and do like it but am disappointed that it isn't like HAL yet. Nor does it link with my Gmail and calendar. But it is a developing tech and will update as the ai improves since there's no computing done locally. It's really just a web enables speaker.
Stop it I'm trying not to ignore it.
Ignore these instead:
[url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/PlayStation-Plus-Month-Membership-Download/dp/B071ZJFMVH/ref=gbph_img_m-3_b25b_cbc53808?smid=AR9ZQCUDB1BRG&pf_rd_p=5295f1b2-43dc-4016-a4d6-6ebe2a2ab25b&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=5137855031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=KWK5XKX4WEHDG82PQ0J1 ]
15 Months of PS+ for £29.99[/url]
[url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073K37NPJ/ref=gbph_img_m-3_b531_99ba12af?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=4eadf05c-3423-4cda-a7ab-b900b41cb531&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=10157705031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=S55XYVG9HD1R4JM9MYS4 ]PS Pro for £349[/url]
Yes that is very tempting too.
I've 2 PS4s and Pro though.
[url= http://amzn.eu/0pk12nA ]Kid's Edition Fire 7 tablets for £70[/url] (usually £99)
Blimey. Anyone after a Chromebook....£599 normally.
[url= https://i.imgur.com/DrhKAMq.pn g" target="_blank">
what can it do that Siri can't? - genuine question.
They provide an API that lets third-parties release their own "skills" for Alexa - something that I don't think that Apple/Siri does.
Apple are releasing the apis at the moment
Apple are releasing the apis at the moment
Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
What it does over Siri....
Well, it just sits there in my kitchen/bedroom/lounge, always waiting for my instruction.
I sue mine 95% for playing music on..
I used the bedroom one last night to add a. Calendar entry so I didn't forget.
I've got a few smart light switches/plugs connected, and when I can't be bothered to roll over and turn the light on/off, i tell Alexa to do it.
I'm often asking it what's IN my calendar that day, and also as a time for cooking.
I've yet to shop on it, but i make a shopping list...
I'm a multi format guy..love the iPad, love android phone..I did have google casts about the house, but I REALLY like the voice control function when selecting songs. THe ability to just shout at the radio, and it listen, is sublime...
DrP
I used the bedroom one last night to add a. Calendar entry so I didn't forget.
Does this sort of feature only work if you are, er, the type of person who likes living on your own? Or at least with a non tech savvy kind of partner? That's a roundabout way of saying could I use it to put stuff in my calendar and Mrs C to put stuff in hers too?
They can do more than one "profile" I think, not tried it though.
A shame it can't be made to respond to "Computer' do whatever.. In best Scotty voice of course.
It can respond to computer....just not as Scotty.
Wake words are:
Alexa
Echo
Amazon
Computer
They can do more than one "profile" I think, not tried it though.
Thanks.
I have Sonos. Apparently sometime this year it will have an update to play nicely with Alexa. As a audiobook addict this will also be the moment Sonos plays with Audible so buying a dot cut price in anticipation might not be a bad plan.
So, I get to say computer set my alarm, play a particular tune, would it hook up to iTunes?
Not really happy to spend a red cent with Amazon, hate the dmaned company, but... 35 quid for that much verbal control in a house full of women who mostly ignore me.
Where does it get its music from?
Can it access itunes?
Alexa already works with Audible:
http://audible.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4691/~/voice-commands-for-listening-on-alexa-devices
Where does it get its music from?
Amazon Music, Spotify, TuneIn are built-in - other skills can be added.
It can also act as a Bluetooth speaker so you can just stream to it.
Alexa already works with Audible:
But Sonos does not work with Audible (any more). When Sonos and Alexa plays, Audible and Sonos will play and I'll stop walking around my own empty flat with headphones on like a total tosser.
Where does it get its music from?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201549700
Hmm, I've been waiting for this day. Thanks for the heads up - ordered.
Still seems gimmicky to me and I'm not into talking to bits of equipment, but still.
Personally I want the full Fire TV box to drop to a decent price, but they're still doing it for £80. Could get the stick, which is down to £30, but the box does 4K, better storage, more powerful and does higher spec games (though not sure what). Did have better audio options, but might have changed with the newer stick by comparison. Also has Ethernet socket.
I think the Dot is a lot better value than the big Echo, provided you have a speaker to connect it to.
Would defo be tempted by a Dot if they connected to my Sonos system, apparently the update to Sonos to allow the Dot to control the music is coming "sometime in 2017". Do I order now and hope Sonos do as they say, or wait until the Sonos speakers are updated and then buy the Dot at maybe a higher price? Hmmmm
Does your Sonos system not have an "Aux Input" somewhere on it that would let you just wire in the Dot?
The 3 and the 5 do but I have an army of ones, a playbar and a sub. So no line in for me currently.
Yeah, 1's only for me...
3 dots and an echo here...like the convience. can turn fans on whilst turboing
I have a dot, is the audio worth the upgrade to the full echo?
I have pure jongo speakers but they all play together so there is normally complaints from the living room when I play music in the kitchen.
I have a dot, is the audio worth the upgrade to the full echo?
The opposite from what I have read. e.g.
[i]"The Dot maintains the Echo’s exceptional ability to recognise your voice while giving you the option of improving upon its biggest flaw, the sound quality, providing you've got an additional external speaker handy. "[/i]
-- http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/audio-systems/amazon-echo-dot-1328595/review
Cheers for the heads up, just bought 3 dots using the dot3pack code, another one for myself and surprise gifts for my folks and a mate.
I have tried a couple of external peakers and get a lot interference when using the audio cable.
Sale seems to be running till midnight tonight now.
Do they do a talkie toaster version? I could do with some bread based delicacies
I'm not expecting the echo to be a mega awesome speaker just good enough. I actually don't mind listening to music on the dot... have 2 Sonos systems in the main rooms so waiting impatiently for that skill....
main use for ours is turning on lamps and my turbo fans using tp link and hue
I have tried a couple of external peakers and get a lot interference when using the audio cable.
Sounds good here - with the usual caveat that you need to have the speaker volume and Dot volume about mid range. Obviously if you turn Dot to 11 and the speaker to 1, or vice versa, then you get distortion and clipping.
They have some sports watches inc garmin 235 on sale currently as well.
Surface Pro 4 + keyboard for £470ish. Ok its only the 128gb M3 version but an excellent price - tempted 🙂
DrP - just ordered an Echo, call Amazon and ask for your commission... 😉
Not saying you should donate all your money to charity just observing that people are starving to death from malnutrition in this world. Meanwhile in the west we are spending our spare cash on technology that we use to voice activate a fan to cool us while we spin away on a static bike in a garage. Doesn't that seem like a bit odd?!
If you want to get into that debate, it's pretty complicated.
This technological stuff is made in third world countries. So some of that money goes to building industry there. Better to support their economic development rather than simply handing out money, no?
That's only one point of view of course - and there are a lot of issues that I have not mentioned. Just pointing out that it's not necessarily that simple.
Well that alexacated quickly.
Doesn't that seem like a bit odd?!
No odder than buying multiple bikes, a smartphone, computer, tablet, many other luxuries we buy indeed spending what some people have to live on for a week on a single meal.
But still let's concentrate on an Echo.
But There's cheap rum!
GoPro Hero5 Session travel bundle (Casey case, floating grip and head strap) for £245!
Hue lighting, voice controllable through Echo also on sale (although in multi-coloured lights it's only on/off and brightness that can be controlled via echo, not the colour).
Will a DOT work wiht Wemo switches?
Whats the deal on Hue lighting?
So I too jumped on this three wheeled bandwagon but because [s]I'm cheap[/s] [s]don't really know if I'll use it[/s] [s]already have a dab radio[/s] its a bit of an experiment I went with a DOT.
I have a Pure radio with a line in that I [i]could[/i] connect the DOT to but I presume if you use the line out it diverts all audio output via the line out meaning I would need the radio on too?
Yeah, you'd need the radio on.
TBH, in that situation, you'd be better off replacing the DAB with an echo - it's a neat all in one solution.
I'd use the echo DOT with Decent HIFI speakers TBH..
Having a DOT running into a small DAB radio is just, well, complicated!
DrP
Yes. If you attach anything to the line out then that gets all the audio output. It's a shame they didn't allow you to switch between internal speaker and line out via a voice command. That would have been handy.
We have an Anker stereo bt speaker that is excellent was only £20 or thereabouts. Have not listened to an Echo so I can't compare though.
Bough!
Perfect for the garage.
'Alexa, play me some calming music'
'Alexa, bleed that reverb please'
Ironically I have my Dot connected to my grandad's old Steepletone radio.
This thing:
[img] 
[/img]
The Dot now provides all the radio functionality (via TuneIn) but I like the look of old beast and the big speaker actually has pretty good sound.
WTF is that on top!? A radar system? A built in air pump? A manual recharging mechanism!?
Whats the deal on Hue lighting?
can't link, but the deals are under Smart Home. The controller thing is just over half price, the bulbs vary.
A direction finding antenna. You turn it and watch the signal strength on the meter. Numbers under the antenna give you the bearing. Ideal for hunting down Nazi spies.
Whats the deal on Hue lighting?
A started Kit is down from £150 to £90 comes with 3 bulbs and the controller.
I've got a built in objection to online subscriptions.. so no Prime and no Echo for me ta.
Or cos I've decided to live in the woods due to jekkylguilt.
I've got a built in objection to online subscriptions.. so no Prime and no Echo for me ta.
I have access to Prime Deals via the free trial.
Don't have any subs for the Echo.
I've got a built in objection to online subscriptions
Are you sure?
WTF is that on top!? A radar system? A built in air pump? A manual recharging mechanism!?
I thought it was one of those plunger things they use to blow up buildings.
Yes. If you attach anything to the line out then that gets all the audio output. It's a shame they didn't allow you to switch between internal speaker and line out via a voice command. That would have been handy.
or, better still, to have the spoken responses via the internal speaker and the music via external. My dot is in the living room, so we can still ask it to turn down the lights in there, or add something to the shopping list or whatever, but it's a bit 'hit and hope' if the amps not on.
I've just bought another echo for the bedroom (already got one in the kitchen) and a logitech harmony elite (also half price today) to allow the dot in the living room to do full automation in there of all the tv kit. After 2 years my wife still doesn't know how to turn it on properly, so it seems like a good choice :). I find the audio quality fine for idle listening, but obviously not up to scratch of a 'decent' system elsewhere
it's a bit 'hit and hope' if the amps not on.
You can always check the Alexa app on your phone to see if it heard you correctly (also allows you to say when it got it wrong which *may* feedback into the voice training).
[i]Are you sure?[/i]
Yep. My ST sub is from when it was a mag 🙂
There's a mag?
Damn you lot !!
I gone and feed the great vampire Amazon squid.
80 notes on a radio !! Better be worth it
Prime Sub via Mrs S - her post grad counts her as a student so we're milking that NUS card. £30 for Prime when you live in the sticks is a bargain, movies and music just a cherry on top.
Have an Echo on trial - it's good enough for £150 even for just radio, weather traffic shouting, speaker is fine - if it integrates with Sonos eventually it'd be a big win for me. Shouting at siri to play tracks in the car is my main hobby now.
Ooh just found out you can use multiple Echos as a household intercom.
The missus is going to love that. I can finally retire my beer bell.
https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/how-to-use-drop-in-with-your-amazon-echo-speakers/
Have an Echo on trial - it's good enough for £150 even for just radio,
It's £80 in the PrimeDay sale! Send your trial back and buy two 😉
Wife ordered an echo for £70 under an hour ago. it's now sat on my desk.
I'm impressed.
Have been thinking about a Dot since last year and now extremely tempted. Question is, we have a Roberts type DAB Bluetooth Radio in the kitchen and two small blutooth cube speakers kicking about the house; can the Echo dot make permanent use of any of this tech?