Amazon Echo Club

[wodin]

Amazon is making it easier for all Alexa devices to work together

[OtinG]

These devices, regardless of brand, are still plagued by lack of usability testing on the development end. I worked with software firms until I retired. Some were pretty good at listening to users, others not so much. I've long felt that one of Amazon's major development flaws, software and hardware, is that they apparently don't know much about how people use their Echos, Kindles, etc. They really need to do usability testing wherein they set up a lab and bring in people from different walks of life and observe how they use the devices, ask them questions, ask their opinions, etc. It is NEVER good enough to guess and then design devices and FW based on how your developers use the device. I believe Einstein was credited with saying, "You cannot learn with your mouth open." Amazon needs to shut up and observe us and how we use and interact with their devices. Not just people who are young and hip, in their minds, but all people. Observe the kids, the parents, the grandparents, the well educated, the under educated, the tech savvy, the tech fearful, EVERY kind of person who is interested in the device, and see what they can learn from that. So far, that has been a major fail on the part of Amazon and Google and other companies as well.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by OtinG

These devices, regardless of brand, are still plagued by lack of usability testing on the development end. I worked with software firms until I retired. Some were pretty good at listening to users, others not so much. I've long felt that one of Amazon's major development flaws, software and hardware, is that they apparently don't know much about how people use their Echos, Kindles, etc. They really need to do usability testing wherein they set up a lab and bring in people from different walks of life and observe how they use the devices, ask them questions, ask their opinions, etc. It is NEVER good enough to guess and then design devices and FW based on how your developers use the device. I believe Einstein was credited with saying, "You cannot learn with your mouth open." Amazon needs to shut up and observe us and how we use and interact with their devices. Not just people who are young and hip, in their minds, but all people. Observe the kids, the parents, the grandparents, the well educated, the under educated, the tech savvy, the tech fearful, EVERY kind of person who is interested in the device, and see what they can learn from that. So far, that has been a major fail on the part of Amazon and Google and other companies as well.

I believe it was General Eisenhower who said "If you want to know where to put a sidewalk, watch where the soldiers walk."

[OtinG]

Smart man! Yes, many of the USA roads and highways are built on top of or adjacent to the old wagon ruts left by the pioneers and travelers of old. So find what the people want, figure out how they want to accomplish it, and you are way ahead of the competition. I like Apple devices, but I still get mad when they push stuff on us and tell us it is what we need or want. And if it doesn't work, then you are holding it wrong! Jobs was the worst at that, but basically all the major companies in the tech device category are doing that.

[tubemonkey]

New 3rd-Gen Amazon Echo Dot Images Leak

Above are images of what is allegedly a new 3rd-generation Amazon Echo Dot that will be released later this year, according to French publications Numerama and FrAndroid. The device is codenamed “Donut,” which follows the round food theme of Amazon’s past Echo Dot codenames, which were Pancake (1st-gen) and Biscuit (2nd-gen). The new Echo Dot is currently being tested by Amazon employees and is said to have superior sound quality, compared to the current generation Echo Dot.

Aesthetically, the new Echo Dot more closely resembles the current generation Amazon Echo than the current Echo Dot. The sides are said to be a fabric material, like the current Amazon Echo. It has a much softer appearance with a slightly rounded top and little to no sharp edges.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon’s Alexa Cast lets you cast music to Alexa devices and groups

Amazon has introduced a new feature called Alexa Cast that, as you can probably guess, lets you cast music to Alexa devices. It is being rolled out in an update to the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android. Tapping the new casting icon in the app brings up a list of your Alexa devices as well as your Alexa groups as destinations for music. Control between the app and the device remains in sync and can be controlled through either the device or the app simultaneously.

Alexa Cast currently works with Amazon’s Echo line of smart speakers and third-party Alexa devices, but some Alexa devices, like Fire TVs are not supported. While the Amazon Music app is the only app that supports the feature, it’s easy to see how Alexa Cast can be expanded to work in other apps, like Spotify or Pandora, the same way Google Cast is widely supported. However, no such third-party app support or developer API has been announced.

It has always been possible to remotely control music playback on an Alexa device through the Alexa app, but it is a cumbersome experience at best. Using the Amazon Music app is much more intuitive. I wouldn’t be surprised if music control is eventually removed from the Alexa app entirely, as it would not be needed if Alexa Cast is widely adopted.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

New 3rd-Gen Amazon Echo Dot Images Leak

It is butt ugly.

I use a wall mount with my Gen 2 Dot. If they put fabric around the edges like they have on the Gen 2 Echo and Tap, I think the wall mounts will likely wear out or at least damage the fabric over time.

I would much prefer to see Amazon spend the time and money to improve their lackluster software for Alexa devices rather than re-inventing an already good device. I think the Dot is the best of the Echo devices when it comes to value, although I think the price should be closer to $30 USD than $50.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

It is butt ugly.

I use a wall mount with my Gen 2 Dot. If they put fabric around the edges like they have on the Gen 2 Echo and Tap, I think the wall mounts will likely wear out or at least damage the fabric over time.

I would much prefer to see Amazon spend the time and money to improve their lackluster software for Alexa devices rather than re-inventing an already good device. I think the Dot is the best of the Echo devices when it comes to value, although I think the price should be closer to $30 USD than $50.

Totally agree. My biggest gripe with device upgrades is the constant need companies have to change the casing of the device. I wish they would stop doing that. Upgrading to a newer model means having to buy a new case/cover because the old one won't fit. That's an unwarranted expense.

I'm quite pleased with my Gen 2 Dots now that Amazon added an equalizer. I noticed a marked improvement in the sound after I maxed out the bass and midrange.

Bottom line - I will not be upgrading to the new Gen 3 Dots.

[wodin]

I have gen one and gen two Echoes and Dots. I prefer the gen two Echoes and gen 1 Dots.

Actually I like the twist top volume controls of the gen ones, but the better sound of the gen two Echo outweighs the inconvenience of the push button volume controls.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Totally agree. My biggest gripe with device upgrades is the constant need companies have to change the casing of the device. I wish they would stop doing that. Upgrading to a newer model means having to buy a new case/cover because the old one won't fit. That's an unwarranted expense.

I'm quite pleased with my Gen 2 Dots now that Amazon added an equalizer. I noticed a marked improvement in the sound after I maxed out the bass and midrange.

Bottom line - I will not be upgrading to the new Gen 3 Dots.

I have no plans to upgrade any of my Echo devices until they quit working. I'm currently using a Dot Gen 2 and two Taps. (I think Amazon doesn't include the Tap under the Echo category, but I do.) I also have an Echo Gen 1 that is boxed up and collecting dust on a shelf as I have no current need for it. I am satisfied with all of them so no need to even consider any upgrades right now.

[Conan46]

I think the new design for the dot will ruin after market speakers for it. I have a Mokcao cordless speaker for the dot that is quite nice. I just plunked the dot down into it and instant wireless dot with much better sound.

[OtinG]

If the alleged leaked images are indeed of the Dot Gen 3, and no guarantee they are, the new Dot might have a removable fabric cover like the Echo 2. If so, then they might fit into older/current accessories if the cover is removed. But I wouldn't count on that working. Companies like Amazon make their money selling us stuff. I know they always seem to change the dimensions of their new Kindles just enough to require the purchase of new covers.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I went into the Alexa app today and found the equalizer. I now have max bass for my Dot and the difference is very noticeable. Thanks, Jeff

Where did you find the equalizer? I can't find it.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by issybird

Where did you find the equalizer? I can't find it.

See attached screen captures. I have the option in my Echo Dot gen 2, but not in my Taps or Echo gen 1.

1. Go to the Alexa menu and select the Alexa Devices menu item.
2. Select your device.
3. Scroll down to General category and select the Sounds item.
4. In the Media category select the Equalizer item.
5. Adjust the Bass, Midrange, and Treble to desired levels.

....

[Tarana]

Loved the equalizer. Thanks!

In December, I want to take one of my Echos with me to my sister's house while I'm housesitting. I'm not changing ownership, but IP address. Do you just use the Alexa App to change the settings so that it can access her wifi?