Amazon Echo Club - Page 117

Keslynn · 04-13-2017, 10:07 PM

I use several Hue bulbs and a TP-link smart plug. I never knew how awesome dimmable bulbs were until I got the smart bulbs. Hue bulbs do require a hub. I managed to score a starter kit for fairly cheap.

I recommend starting out with a smart plug. It's a good way to test the waters before making larger investments.

WT Sharpe · 04-13-2017, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why not use a bedside lamp?

No room for a bedside table.

Sent from my SM-J700P using Tapatalk

Cinisajoy · 04-14-2017, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

No room for a bedside table.

Sent from my SM-J700P using Tapatalk

How about a string of lights around the edge of the ceiling?

jswinden · 04-15-2017, 11:01 AM

I apparently deleted the latest email from Amazon with the what's new with Alexa information. I bet Monkey will post it though. However, one of the new things is the ability to use Alexa to change the colors on multi-color smartbulbs by saying something like, "Alexa, make [smart-bulb name] red." They listed a lot of smart bulb manufacturers whose bulbs work with this command. I use TP-Link bulbs and this was one feature that had been missing with Alexa control, so I'm happy to finally have the color control.

Unrelated to the color control, I think I use the smart bulb Alexa control more often than all the other Alexa voice controls/questions. It is really nice to be able to have her turn on a lamp at low light level when I need to get up in the middle of the night, especially since the switch is not near the bed.

HarryT · 04-15-2017, 11:23 AM

Do you need to have an Echo in every room in the house if you want to be able to control the light there?

jswinden · 04-15-2017, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you need to have an Echo in every room in the house if you want to be able to control the light there?

Only two Alexa devices; an Echo and a Dot. Dot is by the bed. Since the bedroom light is in the bedroom, I really don't need to control it from another room. But I can use the TP-Link Kasa app on my iThingies to control it from anywhere in the world. I have another TP-Link bulb on my front porch, but it is warm white only, so I can only control brightness and on/off. Oops I almost forgot I have a FireTV with Alexa control too, but I have never used it to control the bulbs.

tubemonkey · 04-15-2017, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you need to have an Echo in every room in the house if you want to be able to control the light there?

You only need one Echo device, but you need to be in voice range to control it by voice. Otherwise, you'll need to log into the app to control it.

HarryT · 04-15-2017, 11:42 AM

Sorry, what I meant was do you need to have an Echo in every room in which you want to be able to speak your commands?

tubemonkey · 04-15-2017, 11:48 AM

What's New?

Alexa's new features and skills.

Just for fun

Quote:

"Alexa, give me an Easter egg"

Alexa has hidden a basket-load of Easter eggs to find. They may not be chocolate, but they are chock-full of fun!

Smart and colorful lights

Quote:

"Alexa, order a TP-Link color bulb"

For a limited time, Prime members can get 20% off a TP-Link bulb when shopping with Alexa.

"Alexa, make the living room gold"

Change the color and shades of white for your smart lights. Get the mood right when you need to power up, wind down, or get weird. Over 40 bulbs from brands like Philips, LIFX, and TP-Link now work with Alexa. Learn more

Ask Alexa...

"Set the bedroom to warm white"
"Turn the office light to daylight"

Skills

Quote:

"Alexa, open Oprah Magazine"

Begin your day with a powerful story narrated by the one and only Oprah Winfrey.

tubemonkey · 04-15-2017, 11:53 AM

What's New? (cont)

Alexa's new features and skills.

Free Classics from Audible

Quote:

"Alexa, what's free from Audible"

In celebration of World Book Day on April 23, Audible is offering two timeless classics for free on your Echo device for the entire month of April.

Ask Alexa...

"Read The Secret Garden"
"Read Anne of Green Gables"

Sports

Quote:

"Alexa, what are the MLB standings?"

Celebrate the start of baseball by tracking standings, rankings, and records.

Ask Alexa...

"What place are the Mariners in?"
"Who's in first place in the NL Central?"
"What are the MLB standings?"

"Alexa, what's my Sports Update?"

To hear about your favorite teams, add them in the Alexa app: Settings > Sports

Link your calendar

Quote:

"Alexa, what's on my calendar today?"

Link calendars from Google, Outlook.com, and now Office 365. To get started, link a calendar using the Alex app: Settings > Account > Calendar

Amazon Music Unlimited

Quote:

"Alexa, play Song of the Day"

Available with Amazon Music Unlimited, Song of the Day features a new song each day.

For a free trial just ask, "Alexa, try Amazon Music Unlimited." Learn More

tubemonkey · 04-15-2017, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

I apparently deleted the latest email from Amazon with the what's new with Alexa information. I bet Monkey will post it though. However, one of the new things is the ability to use Alexa to change the colors on multi-color smartbulbs by saying something like, "Alexa, make [smart-bulb name] red." They listed a lot of smart bulb manufacturers whose bulbs work with this command. I use TP-Link bulbs and this was one feature that had been missing with Alexa control, so I'm happy to finally have the color control.

Unrelated to the color control, I think I use the smart bulb Alexa control more often than all the other Alexa voice controls/questions. It is really nice to be able to have her turn on a lamp at low light level when I need to get up in the middle of the night, especially since the switch is not near the bed.

You can always check for new features by going to:

What's New?

Things to Try

AnemicOak · 04-15-2017, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sorry, what I meant was do you need to have an Echo in every room in which you want to be able to speak your commands?

Doesn't have to be an Echo, but you do need an Alexa device (Echo, Dot, etc.) that is within range to hear your commands.

wodin · 04-16-2017, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sorry, what I meant was do you need to have an Echo in every room in which you want to be able to speak your commands?

Well, yes. Unless you're close enough to the other room for Alexa to hear you. When I say "Alexa" in my hallway (no Echo there) it's a craps shoot as to whether the bedroom or living room Echo (or either) will answer. Sometimes both do.

I have all of my lights in a group called "the lights", so at night when I want to shut down the house for bed, I say "Alexa...('bong') turn off the lights", and wallah! All the lights go off. I don't have smart locks on my doors, but if I did she could lock the doors too.

My alarm company is Vivint, so I can say "Alexa...('bong') Ask Vivint to alarm the house for stay", and if anyone opens a door the alarm will go off and Vivint will call the police unless I tell them not to.

Catlady · 04-18-2017, 01:16 PM

I rarely use my Dot anymore now that the novelty has worn off, but yesterday evening as I was doing my income taxes I had Alexa play Sinatra for me. When I finished with the taxes, I told Alexa to stop and settled down for some mindless TV watching. Suddenly, some three hours later, what do I hear but Sinatra's voice singing "Adelaide," picking up in mid song, courtesy of Dot.

Scared the bejesus out of me. I looked at my Alexa app to see what might have triggered the Dot, but there was nothing since my last command. I guess Alexa just wanted to hear more Sinatra.

tubemonkey · 04-18-2017, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I rarely use my Dot anymore now that the novelty has worn off, but yesterday evening as I was doing my income taxes I had Alexa play Sinatra for me. When I finished with the taxes, I told Alexa to stop and settled down for some mindless TV watching. Suddenly, some three hours later, what do I hear but Sinatra's voice singing "Adelaide," picking up in mid song, courtesy of Dot.

Scared the bejesus out of me. I looked at my Alexa app to see what might have triggered the Dot, but there was nothing since my last command. I guess Alexa just wanted to hear more Sinatra.

When you stopped your Echo, was it mid-song of that selection?

04-15-2017, 11:01 AM	#1744
jswinden Nameless Being	I apparently deleted the latest email from Amazon with the what's new with Alexa information. I bet Monkey will post it though. However, one of the new things is the ability to use Alexa to change the colors on multi-color smartbulbs by saying something like, "Alexa, make [smart-bulb name] red." They listed a lot of smart bulb manufacturers whose bulbs work with this command. I use TP-Link bulbs and this was one feature that had been missing with Alexa control, so I'm happy to finally have the color control. Unrelated to the color control, I think I use the smart bulb Alexa control more often than all the other Alexa voice controls/questions. It is really nice to be able to have her turn on a lamp at low light level when I need to get up in the middle of the night, especially since the switch is not near the bed. Last edited by jswinden; 04-15-2017 at 11:06 AM.

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04-13-2017, 10:07 PM	#1741
Keslynn Plausible Deniability Posts: 330 Karma: 615516 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Paperwhite, iPad Mini 4	I use several Hue bulbs and a TP-link smart plug. I never knew how awesome dimmable bulbs were until I got the smart bulbs. Hue bulbs do require a hub. I managed to score a starter kit for fairly cheap. I recommend starting out with a smart plug. It's a good way to test the waters before making larger investments.

04-15-2017, 11:23 AM	#1745
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Do you need to have an Echo in every room in the house if you want to be able to control the light there?

04-15-2017, 11:42 AM	#1748
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Sorry, what I meant was do you need to have an Echo in every room in which you want to be able to speak your commands?

04-18-2017, 01:16 PM	#1754
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,421 Karma: 52734361 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	I rarely use my Dot anymore now that the novelty has worn off, but yesterday evening as I was doing my income taxes I had Alexa play Sinatra for me. When I finished with the taxes, I told Alexa to stop and settled down for some mindless TV watching. Suddenly, some three hours later, what do I hear but Sinatra's voice singing "Adelaide," picking up in mid song, courtesy of Dot. Scared the bejesus out of me. I looked at my Alexa app to see what might have triggered the Dot, but there was nothing since my last command. I guess Alexa just wanted to hear more Sinatra.