Amazon Echo Club

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

It spoke briefly to say it was awake, then went straight back to its muted microphone mode. I think what got me is that I never mute the microphone, so I wasn't expecting it. Someone else must have become curious as to the purpose of that button.

I've had it happen but no one pressed the button. Alexa can hear things that aren't being said. She might interpret mute when you might say something else to someone in the room or yourself. She wakes up often and thinks you say her name when you said something else.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon just released the Echo to the public. Price is $180. Go to Amazon.com for details.

[ApK]

Just curious.

Some thoughts:

1. Jeeves
2. Jarvis
3. Hal
4. Computer
5. Robot

[WT Sharpe]

Ms. Mxyzptlk.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Ms. Mxyzptlk.

"Alexa, Simon says kltpzyxm."

"Sending an Amazon return label for myself to your Echo app."

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by ApK

"Alexa, Simon says kltpzyxm."

"Sending an Amazon return label for myself to your Echo app."

[copyrite]

I've noticed today if I add something to my to do list if I ask Alexa what's on my calendar she tells me my to do list also....but the to do list item only lasts for a hour! The hour isn't up yet, so I guess it'll stay on the to do list, but it won't be on my calendar any more. LOL

Edit: the events are still listed on my Google calendar after the fact. That's new (for me at least).

[DreamWriter]

New Echo features - from an Amazon e-mail I received today:

Listen to live events and concerts with TuneIn on Echo. Just ask, "Alexa, play [station name] on TuneIn."

Catch live coverage of the 2015 Open Championship from St. Andrews on ESPN Radio Special Coverage 1
http://tunein.com/radio/ESPN-Radio-S...age-1-s111051/

Didn't make it to any of the Grateful Dead concerts? Enjoy recordings from the band's final shows on Grateful Dead Radio
http://tunein.com/radio/Grateful-Dead-Radio-s54607/

Echo now supports the WNBA in addition to the MLB, MLS, NHL, NFL, NCAA, and NBA. To hear scores or find out when your favorite team plays next, just ask:

- "Alexa, who won the Seattle Storm game?"
- "Alexa, who is winning the Chicago Cubs game?"
- "Alexa, when do the LA Galaxy play next?"

Last week, we introduced support for additional voice-controlled lights and switches. Thanks to @RyanPratt for showing how he now controls his lights with just his voice.
https://twitter.com/RyanPratt/status/618951489730531328

A full list of Echo compatible devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Wink, GE, Lutron, and Leviton can be found here.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?node=11874301011

[wodin]

I just ordered an Echo, and Amazon says it should be delivered on Monday, I also ordered a WINK hub and two GE Link light bulbs from Home Depot. They say they'll be here today.

I mostly bought the Echo for the shopping and todo (honeydo) lists, so Susie can just tell Alexa what she wants me to buy/do as she thinks of them. Her memory isn't so good anymore and she forgets sometimes, and since she's wheelchair bound it'll be a lot easier for her.

A year or so ago I played around with HomeSeer home automation (way too complicated and expensive) and have a few GE Zwave switches installed. Got my fingers crossed about if Alexa can access them through the WINK hub.

If this works out I can see a use case for a couple more Echos. Now if I could just change the wake word to "Sarah".

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by wodin

I just ordered an Echo, and Amazon says it should be delivered on Monday, I also ordered a WINK hub and two GE Link light bulbs from Home Depot. They say they'll be here today.

Hope you enjoy your Echo! I use mine every day.

I mostly bought the Echo for the shopping and todo (honeydo) lists, so Susie can just tell Alexa what she wants me to buy/do as she thinks of them. Her memory isn't so good anymore and she forgets sometimes, and since she's wheelchair bound it'll be a lot easier for her.

I think Echo will be of great assistance to Susie. If you didn't already, I suggest you order an Echo Voice Remote. It's very handy when you're not near the device, and with the remote you don't have to say the wake word (Alexa or Amazon) before giving commands.

The Echo App (for Fire OS, Android, iOS, and desktop browsers) will be helpful, too. Here's a link to the online User's Manual: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201399130. I've never used IFTTT myself, but that may be useful for you.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

If you didn't already, I suggest you order an Echo Voice Remote. It's very handy when you're not near the device, and with the remote you don't have to say the wake word (Alexa or Amazon) before giving commands.

I'm pretty sure the Echo comes with that remote. Mine did.
It's the Fire TV Stick that comes with a non-voice remote.

I find it difficult to remember to NOT say the wake word when using the remote!

I'm looking forward to trying the smart light bulb integration now that some more devices are available.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by ApK

I'm pretty sure the Echo comes with that remote. Mine did.
It's the Fire TV Stick that comes with a non-voice remote.

Mine came with a remote, too, when I ordered at the end of December 2014 during the "invitation-only" phase. It's my understanding that they stopped including them when Echo became available for everyone, and it's no longer shown on the Echo product page as an included item.

Perhaps someone who's received Echo within the last few weeks will let us know if the remote was included.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

Mine came with a remote, too, when I ordered at the end of December 2014 during the "invitation-only" phase. It's my understanding that they stopped including them when Echo became available for everyone, and it's no longer shown on the Echo product page as an included item.

Perhaps someone who's received Echo within the last few weeks will let us know if the remote was included.

Hmm. It would indeed seem to be no longer included.
Raising the price and reducing the features? How very un-Amazon-like.
It would be one thing if the remote was highlighted as invitation-period bonus, then it would just be matter of getting a especially good early deal. But it wasn't.
I would expect stuff like that from certain other companies, but not them.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

Perhaps someone who's received Echo within the last few weeks will let us know if the remote was included.

I can confirm that even the last batch of "invitationals" came with a remote. I got in late, so mine actually shipped about the same time that the first public orders shipped. I have to say, I love the magnetic mount. That's one remote that I rarely use but never lose because it's attached to my desk.

I've gotten a lot of use out my Echo. I went ahead and spent the $25/yr to fit my music collection in the 'Zon cloud and it's been awesome. I intend to get the Hue Lux starter kit soon because not having to get up to turn off the light sounds like a pretty sweet deal, too.

I upgraded my desktop to Windows 10 a few days ago. The other day I decided to hook up a microphone (okay, my phone with a mic app connected via 3.5mm cable) and enable Cortana. I didn't find it to be of much use to me, as most things resulted (inconsistently) in a Bing search. She couldn't start most of my apps for some reason, and many of her features are things I don't need. (I need to check traffic like twice a year, for example.)

Oddly, Cortana could understand what I was saying, according to the text displayed, but do something totally different. I just got annoyed, disabled her and all of her related items and services, feeling like I'd wasted a couple of hours for no reason.

I leaned back in my chair, sighed, and then:

Me: Alexa, I need a hug.
Alexa: I'm sorry you're upset. I hope you're feeling better soon.
Me: Alexa, play The Rat Pack
Alexa: Shuffling The Rat Pack

First track? "Me and My Shadow".

Me: Alexa, I love you.
Alexa: Thanks, it's good to be appreciated.

Alexa 3, Cortana 0

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I leaned back in my chair, sighed, and then:

Me: Alexa, I need a hug.
Alexa: I'm sorry you're upset. I hope you're feeling better soon.
Me: Alexa, play The Rat Pack
Alexa: Shuffling The Rat Pack

First track? "Me and My Shadow".

Me: Alexa, I love you.
Alexa: Thanks, it's good to be appreciated.

Alexa 3, Cortana 0