MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Yes, you can plug the dot into anything with an aux-in, or connect it to anything bluetooth.
correct, although you do have to leave them turned on all the time.
I'm somewhat surprised about the amount of following this thread is getting - they were £100 at launch and it passed with barely a mention
Is Prime worth it? Not too bothered about their streaming content, but free kindle books. Are these really old content that are free anyway?
Or just cancel account within 30 days, obvs!
Just been told I'm not allowed one.
Shopping list - Ocadi via iPad
Radio - we have a DAB
Weather/News - theres an app for that.
Well thats saved me £35.
Kryton57 - Member
Just been told I'm not allowed one.
[img]
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4zws8REIx5I/maxresdefault.jp g" rel="nofollow" >Well.
That's quite disconcerting.
Just been told I'm not allowed one.
Ask your Dad instead.
Shopping list - Ocadi via iPad
Yeah but you have to go find the ipad, instead of just impulsively saying "Alexa, add one diamond necklace to my shopping list for my lovely wife"
Radio - we have a DAB
Yeah but you are limited to what you can receive on DAB instead of getting a worldwide selection of internet radio so that you can always find something romantic to play to your lovely wife.
Weather/News - theres an app for that
Yeah but you still have to go find your phone/tablet and your app doesn't read out the BBC or (insert favoured news provider here) news for you while you cook breakfast for your lovely wife.
😉
Drac - Moderator
Just been told I'm not allowed one.
Ask your Dad instead.
That'll be tricky, he died a month and half ago. Maybe I should get a Dot and ask for a resurrection.
Oh!
😳
davieg - Member
Is Prime worth it? Not too bothered about their streaming content, but free kindle books. Are these really old content that are free anyway?
Or just cancel account within 30 days, obvs!
Free next day & same day shipping. There's also Prime Now for certain stuff 1hr/2hr delivery.
If you're the kind of person who leaves everything until last minute like me, or desperately needs something now, then it's very useful. Of course you are paying for it, but use it a lot and it pays for itself.
If you can make use of Prime Video and Music occasionally then better value. Prime Video and Music doesn't give you everything. It's selected stuff, and selection isn't always that good. The best stuff is probably their exclusive shows (and at least they don't expire in the middle of watching them).
Not tried the kindle stuff but on looking at the list, it's similarly just a limited selection. Bit like a library where you're limited to what they have at the time. Some newer stuff, some old. Also have magazines, but not many.
Free next day & same day shipping. There's also Prime Now for certain stuff 1hr/2hr delivery.
At the time I looked at this thread this morning, I would have had it delivered by now according to Amazon.
We have Prime for the streaming content. It and Netflix are a fraction the cost of Sky and we find far far more stuff to watch.
prime reading is pretty good imo - a few magazines on there - the week was there a few weeks ago, a few car mags, etc, plus lonely planet books which are handy if you're going there 😀
The prime photo storage is pretty good as well for backup purposes. Means I can keep flickr for sharing stuff as opposed to backups.
Re Firestick - some interest here. Is it really a replacement for Sky? it seems a long process to wade through their graphical channel list - anyone know where theres a simple text base list?
An secondly, with Prime I can access Amazon through our XBOX One - is the Firestick the same content or different?
An secondly, with Prime I can access Amazon through our XBOX One - is the Firestick the same content or different?
Same content on PS4 app, assume it's same on xbox.
Re Firestick - some interest here. Is it really a replacement for Sky?
Entirely depends what you watch, and how. You can't flick aimlessly through channels which makes it a bit like Blockbuster. But last time I checked Sky I was amazed the shite that was on.
Plus when you find something on Amazon you watch it when you want to watch it - which is much easier I find than using Sky+ used to be.
I got a Fire stick for use in hotels, for which it's superb. Fairly specialist use-case though (and no, I don't mean porn).
Got the Dot today. Plugged into an old Apple Hi-Fi it is great. 'Computer, play radio 4'. And there it goes. 'Computer, play songs by David Bowie'. 'Computer, play radio 4'. 'Computer, set a timer for 10 minutes'. With this and 'hey, Siri' my AI minions will serve me well.
Bought a dot today to go with sonos when sonos is ready so hope thats £15 saved rather than £35 wasted.
Also [s]wasted £20[/s] saved £15 on a bottle of malt advertised by Jamie and spent a small fortune on boxers, a vacuum cleaner and a pan set for the van. These sales [s]cost[/s] save me a fortune.
So the Dot thing - how close to 'Computer, play that album I like playing when I've drunk a bottle of malt running around in my pants and doing the hoovering' can it get? How much does it remember about you? Can it play stuff you have played before - eg computer, play the playlist I played last night?
I've only just started playing with mine, but i believe you should be able to link things up. I'd really like to be able to say....'Alexa party time' and my favourite playlist would start, lights turn a groovy colour. Or 'Alexa good night' switch all the lights off, smart door locks and alarm armed....
switch all the lights off, smart door locks and alarm armed
Hmm. nibbling on the music thing, but not sure about going that far.
http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/world/europe/hotel-austria-bitcoin-ransom.html
davieg - Member
Is Prime worth it? Not too bothered about their streaming content, but free kindle books. Are these really old content that are free anyway?
I use it mainly for the free next day delivery. You would be amazed at the amount of bike stuff I always need in a hurry.
DT78I'd really like to be able to say....'Alexa party time' and my favourite playlist would start, lights turn a groovy colour. Or 'Alexa good night' switch all the lights off, smart door locks and alarm armed....
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Indeed.
I sometimes say "Louise, party time" - that's fun
Bought a hive with fitting - happy days!
Or 'Alexa good night' switch all the lights off, smart door locks and alarm armed....
I don't have smart locks (did you hear about the guy who's neighbour unlocked his house with Siri?) but I do have Hue lights, Arlo Cameras and a Harmony hub.
All of those can be linked up to one command with IFTTT.com - I just say "Alexa, Trigger goodnight" and the lights turn off (except the bedroom where the nightlight goes on) and the Arlo cameras are armed.
It's not perfect, but it's getting there.
I gave in and order an Echo Dot. 😆
im assuming these cant play from google music?
im assuming these cant play from google music?
You assume correctly.
Google Home is on offer for £99 at the mo, if you're that way inclined.
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Although I think the deal ends shortly.
Best bit of advice on this thread is the Amazon Prime student discount, thank you !
I had a serious think about getting one of these, and for me still too much of a gimmick than a real bit of tech that would help
We got ours because it was the cheapest way to get internet radio.
Cheapest way to get internet radio is your mobile phone, and then if you want to push the boat out buy a Bluetooth speaker
Not a satisfactory way though for me, for numerous reasons discussed at length on here and that started an argument about how wrong I was for wanting a separate device rather than a phone.
Cheapest way to get internet radio is your mobile phone, and then if you want to push the boat out buy a Bluetooth speaker
You could say the chapest way is to listen to a neighbour...not as good as an echo though!
Anyway...
Has anyone got 'drop in' working on theirs?
My app is up to date, but hasn't got the function.
I can't help feeling it's an American thing for now..
DrP
Drop in?
New feature: lets you use multiple Echo/Dot devices as a household intercom:
https://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/how-to-use-drop-in-with-your-amazon-echo-speakers/
I can't help feeling it's an American thing for now..
Might be. Was reported on CNet UK but I haven't seen mention of it in the Amazon emails.
It's US only at the mo.
[Rant mode on]
One thing that does annoy me about the Echo and the Home, is that they announce all these new features, and they then take ages to rollout to the UK. I thought being 'global' brands meant this sort of stuff had gone the way of region locked dvd players. It's not just the obvious thing. UK developers for Echo skills are being knackered by these issues. For example:
[rant mode off]
THe other thing that annoys me, that shouldn't be difficult to set up, is there's no 'multicast' mode.
I want to say - "Alexa, It's Chico time" and then rocking beatzzz (S-club etc) blast out from ALL the Echos.
Then my dream of living in a nightclub will come true.....
(Hey, we've already got a pole studio upstairs (not joking), and a moderately stocked drinks cabinet...)
DrP
Ours arrived today,
I would say its understanding of context and full questions asked naturally is a step ahead of siri and cortana.
Quite impressive really.
mine turned up to. now massively disappointed the intercom thing doesn't work. would be super useful if I'm in the garage and the missus upstairs with the kids
I suspect they'll roll it out here in due course - it's just a software upgrade.
I would say its understanding of context and full questions asked naturally is a step ahead of siri and cortana.
Example? Beyond the sort of thing they show you in the blurb (I know how tall Everest is) it seems unable to answer useful questions. It was completely unable to tell me how Djokovitch was getting on after we came down to eat in the middle of the match. Even though sports information is something it advertises.
cba writing a lenghty expanation. I have an interest in such things and Alexa is a step ahead imo.
There'll be occasions when it doesnt work but fewer than the others based on the one afternoon of ownership.
Mine turned up yesterday and I am really pleased with it. It was great to come down to the kitchen this morning and talk to it and the music just started playing!
Tried a few radio stations last night and all seemed to work fine, integrated with my Spotify account fairly easily.
I think I will struggle to hold on to the other two I bought as my kids were taking a keen interest in them!
My Dot arrived yesterday, pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to setup. Bit crap I need to change my soundbar to Bluetooth mode before Alexa will connect to it (that's the soundbar's fault though) but the speaker in the bathroom she connects to as soon as I turn it on (so I just need to shout to her to turn the radio on). Handy for setting short term alarms to.
I'm sure the novelty factor will wear off soon but wish I'd bought the Hive stuff as well now 🙁
It was completely unable to tell me how Djokovitch was getting on after we came down to eat in the middle of the match. Even though sports information is something it advertises.
Siri would probably have given you a search of restaurants in Dubrovnic.
She kept telling me how Konta had done earlier in the day. She seems to have picked up on the word 'Wimbledon' in what I said and then given me the first Wimbledon headline.
I don't own Siri and I don't really put the others through their paces either so I can't really compare. Cortana is most useful for opening apps when I'm in tablet mode (and on my own), whereas I only really use Google now to save clicks when setting reminders or calendar entries, and to operate the phone when I'm driving.
eskay - MemberMine turned up yesterday and I am really pleased with it. It was great to come down to the kitchen this morning and talk to it and the music just started playing!
Right away I'm annoyed at the prospect of having to leave it plugged in all the time (tight scotsman/looking after the polar bears)
In order of usefulness:
Google Assistant
Amazon Echo
A dog
Siri
Not used Cortana, but I hear it's better than Siri.
Google assistant should really be marked down 5 million points for insisting on using 'Hey/ok Google!' Just give it a damn name already. It's like say 'Hey Tescos!' Once is ok, but repeatedly? **** off.
Right away I'm annoyed at the prospect of having to leave it plugged in all the time (tight scotsman/looking after the polar bears)
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https://www.esource.com/Blog/ESource/ES-Blog-2-17-17-Voice-Control
That's actually quite a bit more power than I was expecting in idle.
That's actually quite a bit more power than I was expecting in idle.
My Samsung TV is 0.3w in standby, but then it's not operating 7 far field mics all the time. I expected 2-3w to be honest.
Right away I'm annoyed at the prospect of having to leave it plugged in all the time
Get a plug with a timer on it, so it's only active 7am-9am and 4pm-10pm or whatever. It should power on and come online automatically and easily, so this would work I reckon.
Get a plug with a timer on it, so it's only active 7am-9am and 4pm-10pm or whatever. It should power on and come online automatically and easily, so this would work I reckon.
Link the echo up to a smart plug, and then just tell it to turn itself off.
I have only thought 50% of this plan through.
FWIW, 12 hours of idle time at 3w draw is about £1-2 a year.
FWIW, 12 hours of idle time at 3w draw is about £1-2 a year.
Of absolutely wasted energy imagine if they take over the world...
Like others ours arrived yesterday. Piece of cake to set up (cake was for me).
I went with a Dot as I felt it a bit of a nolvelty but 12 hours in feel I should have gone for the bigger one.
Yes it's a bit silly talking to a device but it's so intuitive. Our 5 yr old came down this morning and saw the box and just started taking to Alexa.
I came down a few minutes later and this was playing:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gzoEK545j64
The sound is really quite good from the Dot - a whole heap better than expected. But not as good as the bigger one.
Next time Gadget, next time .....
I have a five year old too.
"Alexa, play songs from Moana"
👿
Our 5 yr old came down this morning and saw the box and just started taking to Alexa.
[b]TURN OFF THE ABILITY TO BUY STUFF![/b]
(In the app got to Settings->Voice Purchasing)
"Alexa, play songs from Moana"
As long as it's "Shiney" I'd be ok with that.
My kids thought it was great telling Alexa to play all sorts of random stuff yesterday. I drew the line at Christian rock though.
It seems fun at first, then you realise it really buggers up your preferences.
"Alexa, play some music"
"Here's a station you might like - Take That"
NOOOO F****** OFFFF
"Here's a station you might like - Take That"
Counter by saying [i]"Alexa, play Kerrang Radio on TuneIn"[/i]
Then [i]"Alexa, volume 11"[/i]
Kerrang radio - forgot about that!
We set up our Echo last night too.
I've already lost control to the little fella - 9 years old and his tech-integration skills are way beyond mine already.
Missus is still suspicious of it, and I'm not sure she'll ever be best friends with Alexa.
Overall we like it, but I was disappointed it wouldn't do stuff like tell me when the next bus was.
Overall we like it, but I was disappointed it wouldn't do stuff like tell me when the next bus was.
Check the skills on the Alexa app/website.
Check the skills on the Alexa app/website.
Yep, particularly the "Local Skills" category.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexa-skills/b/ref=sd_allcat_k_a2s_all?ie=UTF8&node=10068517031
Anyone got any recommended skills by the way?
We quite like "The Magic Door" which is a little old skool kid-friendly Choose Your Own Adventure style game: i.e. [i]"You are in a dark wood, there is a path leading to a castle on the West and a path to the North that goes deeper into the woods. Which way would you like to go?"[/i] etc
It's silly but quite well done. Looks like there are few other skills doing similar things now.
"I can't find Hunkpapa by The Throwing Muses in your library"
You're not trying hard enough Alexa. I can see in my browser and the Windows 10 Desktop app.
GrahamS - Member
Our 5 yr old came down this morning and saw the box and just started taking to Alexa.
TURN OFF THE ABILITY TO BUY STUFF!(In the app got to Settings->Voice Purchasing)
Thanks.
I set our new Echo up last night. We've got the MIL staying, Country and Western, was the first request, then Dean Martin. Ended up with easy listening music. 😀
"Alexa, play songs from Moana"
Guaranteed good times!
Woke up from a night shift about an hour ago to find the postie had been with mine, all setup and testing in now. It's impressive understands me easily the sound is Ok but can see me looking for a speaker for it.
Not quite as good a deal, but you can get a certified refurb Echo for £99 today.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GAGVIKS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Same warranty etc.
Check the skills on the Alexa app/website.
Yep, particularly the "Local Skills" category.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/alexa-skills/b/ref=sd_allcat_k_a2s_all?ie=UTF8&node=10068517031
cheers guys - will test it out tonight
My daughter has decided it needs to remind every hour I am a little overweight bald and answer to the name senior bumhole.
The Skills thing seems a bit clunky to me, you have to remember the trigger words to activate them. I understand why, just they're not always obvious - would be better if there was an option to give a Skill precedence so that if you asked something relevant to the Skill Alexa would respond using the Skill info not a Bing search.
The timer was useful last night when cooking (and listening to Spotify on it).
OK, got mine set up too
Questions for the expert panel, if I may:
I've set up mymediaalexa skill to let it stream music from my pc - seems to work fine but also is gently screaming "HACKABLE" at me. Please make me feel better (or tell me a better way). (file sharing on that PC is restricted and I've set mymedia to look at just one folder)
My kids have discovered that it'll "just play" stuff that's not on my PC so must be coming from Amazon. I have Prime (obvz, given the timing and this thread) and so presumably that does streaming but there's also another, bigger streaming servce that's an extra cost. Sooner or later one of them's going to ask for a trial of that (it's offered every now & then). If I've turned off voice ordering am I safe from that too ?
Anyone got it to print direct to a network printer (Epson, wireless and wired FWIW)
err, that's my lot for now thanks
My kids have discovered that it'll "just play" stuff that's not on my PC so must be coming from Amazon. I have Prime (obvz, given the timing and this thread) and so presumably that does streaming but there's also another, bigger streaming servce that's an extra cost
Amazon Prime comes with a streaming service similar to Spotify .
On the music front, the recognition of requests seems to work much better when you are a subscriber. Also what music you get from Prime is a cutdown list, this was a problem as you couldn't get some soundtrack albums. I think if you were using Spotify as the music source you missed out on some of the commands like skip or resume.
thanks eskay - I know there's a prime service but as riddoch says it's restricted and every now & then it says that song's not available and would we like to trial another service that has more songs but will cost after a 30 day trial. I don't want "us" signing up imadvertently for that
scaredypants - Member
thanks eskay - I know there's a prime service but as riddoch says it's restricted and every now & then it says that song's not available and would we like to trial another service that has more songs but will cost after a 30 day trial. I don't want "us" signing up imadvertently for that
I did not realise it was restricted. I know it was always there with Amazon Prime but I use Spotify (family) so have never really used Prime Audio in anger.
I am happy to pay for Spotify Premium because it deters the kids from illegal downloads (hopefully...)
As an aside, one can stop Alexa with 'Shhh' or 'shut up', as well as 'stop'.