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OtinG · 02-28-2019, 07:30 PM

So far I have been able to link my Echo Plus gen 2 to my Fire TV Stick 4K and I have enabled to Hulu skill. This allows me to go to named channels in Hulu with Live TV. Some channels that is, others won’t work because Alexa is confused. Rather frustrating, just like before...

ETA 1: Okay it looks like certain command words work for some channels but not all. For example saying, “Alexa, go to Animal Planet on Hulu” works, but saying, “Alexa, go to A&E on Hulu” fails. I think perhaps it fails because I have a Fire TV app named A&E. If I say, “Alexa, tune to A&E on Hulu” that works. So you have to know the specific wording otherwise you will be arguing with Alexa. Other than changing channels it looks like you can search for specific shows, pause, restart, stop, and a few other simple tasks. Much easier to use the remote IMO! Probably quicker with the remote too. One exception would be changing Hulu TV channels which is quicker using voice, but I will use the Mic button on the remote instead of messing with my Echo device and arguing with Alexa.

ETA 2: Changing channels by voice seems to work best when saying, “Alexa, tune to [channel name] on Hulu.” However, Alexa does not recognize all the channel names and sometimes just says the channel doesn't exist on Hulu. Rather than argue with a moron all the time, I am going to use the voice control very sparingly, and only use it via the Mic button on the Fire TV remote. Other than changing channels via voice, voice control seems rather pointless to me as it takes longer than just using the remote after you factor in the time it takes to voice a command and the time it takes Alexa to react and the time wasted by arguing with her. Alexa has issues with commands, and so does the Hulu skill. Until both Amazon and Hulu figure out how to program a decent voice interface, it will be rather limited in usefulness and poor in execution. Voice control in general with Fire TV is very poor and will likely get you a ton of suggested videos that cost extra to watch and you will no doubt frequently argue with Alexa.

02-28-2019, 07:30 PM	#3517
OtinG Old Gadget Guy Posts: 1,913 Karma: 6854865 Join Date: Jun 2018 Device: Oasis 3, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad mini 6, iPad Air 2020, Alexa Devices	So far I have been able to link my Echo Plus gen 2 to my Fire TV Stick 4K and I have enabled to Hulu skill. This allows me to go to named channels in Hulu with Live TV. Some channels that is, others won’t work because Alexa is confused. Rather frustrating, just like before... ETA 1: Okay it looks like certain command words work for some channels but not all. For example saying, “Alexa, go to Animal Planet on Hulu” works, but saying, “Alexa, go to A&E on Hulu” fails. I think perhaps it fails because I have a Fire TV app named A&E. If I say, “Alexa, tune to A&E on Hulu” that works. So you have to know the specific wording otherwise you will be arguing with Alexa. Other than changing channels it looks like you can search for specific shows, pause, restart, stop, and a few other simple tasks. Much easier to use the remote IMO! Probably quicker with the remote too. One exception would be changing Hulu TV channels which is quicker using voice, but I will use the Mic button on the remote instead of messing with my Echo device and arguing with Alexa. ETA 2: Changing channels by voice seems to work best when saying, “Alexa, tune to [channel name] on Hulu.” However, Alexa does not recognize all the channel names and sometimes just says the channel doesn't exist on Hulu. Rather than argue with a moron all the time, I am going to use the voice control very sparingly, and only use it via the Mic button on the Fire TV remote. Other than changing channels via voice, voice control seems rather pointless to me as it takes longer than just using the remote after you factor in the time it takes to voice a command and the time it takes Alexa to react and the time wasted by arguing with her. Alexa has issues with commands, and so does the Hulu skill. Until both Amazon and Hulu figure out how to program a decent voice interface, it will be rather limited in usefulness and poor in execution. Voice control in general with Fire TV is very poor and will likely get you a ton of suggested videos that cost extra to watch and you will no doubt frequently argue with Alexa. Last edited by OtinG; 03-01-2019 at 11:08 AM.