Amazon Echo Club

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by ApK

Accepting so-so software software reminds of this Dilbert strip:
https://dilbert.com/strip/1995-01-22

However, as a occasional code monkey myself, I should also point out that in a shop like Amazon, developers are rarely in charge of a product.

Even in the much smaller shops I've worked for, more that once, I've been told to deliver a prototype proof of concept much more quickly than the estimate for the actual project, and then I get told to move on to something else because what I built was "good enough."
I'm pretty sure there are still one or two of my prototypes running in production somewhere, and I assure you that was not my intent....

To be clear, when I refer to "Bezos Bozos" I don't mean the rank and file developer staff. I'm actually referring to the decision makers and to those who turn into task masters and drive the staff to work beyond the point of exhaustion. An exhausted developer, even a top notched one, can screw up when exhausted. I think part of Amazon's problem in coding comes from various interests within the company not knowing what the other interests are doing or why. Lack of communication and coordination can destroy a project.

[OtinG]

And speaking of one hand not knowing what the other hand is doing....It is so strange to me that Amazon can make a good DVR box (The Fire TV Recast) but have such a messed up support website for it. Many of the links merely bring up the same page the link is on, many go to totally incorrect pages, and few give any meaningful support. I think the Recast was released last Fall in November, yet they still have crap for web support. I went out to their support pages yesterday to try to locate information on using Alexa to control the Recast, or more specifically, command the Fire TV to do Recast tasks like tune to a channel, record a program, delete a recording, etc. Talk about a major fail in that area, they had no article which covered Alexa commands as relating to the Recast. I found a command metioned here and there, but nothing of much substance. I searched the internet for hours looking for 3rd party reviews and Alexa command information. I found a lot of confusion, most likely caused by Amazon's lack of information, and many people complaining that Alexa commands simply didn't work or didn't work very well. It is difficult for me to understand why Amazon would not beef up its support website for its devices like the Recast. It just makes good sense to have a lot of accurate information online for users so they can figure out what they need to without inundating the call center support sites with a gillion phone calls. I have to say that the setup of the Recast was really straight forward because Amazon clearly did a great job creating a great user experience and used a good UI that made sense and worked well. But customers still will have a lot of questions once they get the Recast set up. Customers really shouldn't have to comb through dozens of online 3rd party reviews and demonstrations to glean a few tidbits here and there. That information should exist in a set of comprehensive articles and videos on Amazon's support site. Amazon's one good hand needs to slap some sense into their other hand!

I'm going to test out some Alexa voice commands today when I find the time. Honestly I don't expect to be wowed by them though giving the lack of information I found and the failure of Alexa to have much meaningful use with the Fire TV other than to allow Amazon to shove more advertisements in your face. I know, for example, that Alexa commands with services like Hulu fail more often than not. You can tune to a few Hulu TV channels, but Alexa cannot find most of them. And of course if you ask for a particular movie or TV show you will likely be sent to a page wanting to rent you that program. What I call "annoyance by design". They focus mostly on sales when it comes to using Alexa commands. I get that, they are after all in the business to make money, but it is still a major annoyance and why I rarely even try to use Alexa commands with Fire TV.

[DreamWriter]

Alexa Voice Shopping deals, for a limited time:

$22.00 - Echo Dot (3rd generation)
$44.99 - Echo Dot Kids Edition
$14.99 - Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
$24.99 - Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote
$29.99 - Fire 7 Tablet
$59.99 - Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

Details can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/alexa-voice-s...de=14552177011.

[OtinG]

I tested a bunch of Alexa voice commands on my Fire TVs related to Fire TV Recast functionality. Some worked, some didn't. I don't recommend ever using the word "Play" within a command unless you want to see a bunch of stuff Amazon wants to rent or sell you! Instead use words like "Watch". I'm actually pleasantly surprised that as many commands work as do. I'm not sure why Amazon doesn't publish them, but they don't. It is pretty much trial and error to find which work and which don't.

Here is the list of verified working Alexa commands that I have found so far:

“Rewind [X seconds]”
Does what it says when watching a recording.

“Fast Forward [X seconds]”
Does what it says when watching a recording.

“Delete [TV Show/Movie/Recording Name]”
This will delete the entire series of recorded episodes for this show.

“Show my recordings”
Takes you to the My Recordings page.

“Go to Channel Guide”
Takes you to the Channel Guide page.

“Open Channel Guide”
Takes you to the Channel Guide page.

“How full is my DVR?”
Tells you the percentage of the free space on the DVR.

“Tune to [Channel Name]”
This works if you use a channel name that Alexa recognizes.

“Record [TV Show/Movie Name]”
This will schedule the recording of the entire series.

“Cancel my recording of [TV Show/Movie/Recording Name]”
This will cancel the recording of the entire series.

“Go to Scheduled Recordings”
Takes you to the Scheduled Recordings page.

“Watch [TV Show/Movie Name]”
Brings up a list of shows/movies from Movies & TV, Live TV, your recorded shows, and your apps. If the show is currently being streamed in Live TV or previously recorded, then you can select it.

“Play [TV Show/Movie Name]”
Brings up a list of shows/movies from Movies & TV, Live TV, and your apps. If the show is currently being streamed in Live TV, then you can select it.

“Go To [TV Show/Movie Name]”
Brings up a list of shows/movies from Movies & TV, Live TV, and your apps. If the show is currently being streamed in Live TV, then you can select it.

These worked today. Who knows what Amazon will do in the future to change them.

[tubemonkey]

Prime Day -- Amazon Echo -- exp 16 Jul @ 11:59 PM PT

• $160 -- E Show 10.1" ($230/$160) --plus-- free E Dot 3 & Smart Bulb
  
• $130 -- E Spot 2.5" ($130/$80) --or-- $220 for 2 ($110 ea)
  
• $50 --- E Show 5.5" ($90/$50)
  
  
• $110 -- Echo Plus 2 ($150/$110) --plus-- free Smart Plug
  
• $50 ---- Amz Echo 2 ($100/$50)
  
• $45 ---- Dot 3 Kids ($70/$45) --plus-- free Warranty (2-yr) & FreeTime Unlim (1-yr)
  
• $22 ---- Echo Dot 3 ($50/$20) --or-- $60 for 3 ($20 ea)
  
  
• $25 ---- Echo Auto ($50/$25) --plus-- free 3mo Audible trial --> invitation only
  
• $15 ---- Echo Input ($35/$15)

NOTE: prices in blue are for Prime members only -- prices following item name are (retail/lowest)
.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Prime Day -- Amazon Echo -- exp 16 Jul @ 11:59 PM PT

• $160 -- E Show 10.1" ($230/$160) --plus-- free E Dot 3 & Smart Bulb
  
• $130 -- E Spot 2.5" ($130/$80) --or-- $220 for 2 ($110 ea)
  
• $50 --- E Show 5.5" ($90/$50)
  
  
• $110 -- Echo Plus 2 ($150/$110) --plus-- free Smart Plug
  
• $50 ---- Amz Echo 2 ($100/$50)
  
• $45 ---- Dot 3 Kids ($70/$45) --plus-- free Warranty (2-yr) & FreeTime Unlim (1-yr)
  
• $22 ---- Echo Dot 3 ($50/$20) --or-- $60 for 3 ($20 ea)
  
  
• $25 ---- Echo Auto ($50/$25) --plus-- free 3mo Audible trial --> invitation only
  
• $15 ---- Echo Input ($35/$15)

NOTE: prices in blue are for Prime members only -- prices following item name are (retail/lowest)
.

People better shop fast for some deals as I'm already seeing several Prime Day deal items listed as "Currently Unavailable". Earlier they had the Fire TV Stick (non-4K version) deal of $15 down from $40, but now it is listed as "Currently Unavailable". You would think they would allow rain checks, but nope... I've seen quite a few 3rd party deals already listed as "Currently Unavailable". Seems like this happens every year though. I understand limited quantities for flash sales, but sales that supposedly are for 48 hours should not ever go into "Currently Unavailable" without rain checks. But Amazon does things how they want to.

[OtinG]

Too bad Prime Day doesn't include things like cat food and kitty litter! It would be nice if they offered more deals on commonly purchased items. Oh well, at least I got a good deal on the Recast.

I noticed they do have some pretty good discounts on renting/buying Prime Video shows/movies. I wish they would discount Prime Video itself.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Too bad Prime Day doesn't include things like cat food and kitty litter! It would be nice if they offered more deals on commonly purchased items. Oh well, at least I got a good deal on the Recast.

It does. Go to the Prime Day page and check off Pet Supplies in the left-hand column.

[OtinG]

Well the $15 deal on the Fire TV Stick (non-4K version) is suddenly back. Not sure what is going on with that, but for now it is back.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

It does. Go to the Prime Day page and check off Pet Supplies in the left-hand column.

Yes, but only about 2-1/2 pages of items and no items that are brand name cat food or kitty litter. Mostly just junk.

I was wanting the newer Alexa Voice Remote with TV power and volume controls for my Fire TV 3rd Gen but Amazon sells it at $30 and it isn't on sale. However I was able to get the Fire TV Stick which comes with this remote for $15, so I bought that. I don't need the Stick, but I'll at least have a backup if one of my other two Fire TVs fails.

ETA-1: Well actually went I went to pay for the Remote but it wasn't in my cart after all even though it showed as being there on the purchase page. I was never able to get it into my cart, and eventually the sale page went away. WTF Amazon! So no purchase there...

ETA-2: I navigated to the Remote's page through the hamburger menu on the upper-left of the Amazon Home page and found the item still for sale there, even though it was no longer listed in their Prime Day Deals pages. I again tried to purchase it and this time it was actually added to my cart and I was allowed to purchase it. Will I really get it? Who knows...I suspect at some point I'll get an email stating it is not in stock. Amazon always seems to make their Deals more complicated than they need to! Oh well, if I get it good, if not no big deal. (No pun intended, but it would make a good one!)

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Yes, but only about 2-1/2 pages of items and no items that are brand name cat food or kitty litter. Mostly just junk.

I saw a banner on the Prime Day page several days ago for 40% off select Purina products. I haven't seen it since then.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I saw a banner on the Prime Day page several days ago for 40% off select Purina products. I haven't seen it since then.

I never saw that one, but then I tend to buy only Iams when it comes to their food. I do buy the Purina Tidy Cats litter though, but that is getting really hard to get through Amazon. I was getting the 17 lb lightweight litter for around $20, but now they rarely stock it and when they do they want $30 or more for it and/or they want to charge for shipping. That is because Amazon rarely has it as "sold by and shipped by" them. I now have to get it through 3rd party retailers on Amazon. So for now I'm just buying it at the grocery store.

[OtinG]

The Prime Video channel BritBox is on sale for $3.49/month for the first three months, then it goes up to the normal price of $6.99/month. That’s half off for three months. Offer only good for those Prime members who don’t already have the channel.

I didn’t check on other channels but I bet they have some more good deals for channels you don’t already subscribe to.

[cc_in_oh]

Originally Posted by OtinG

The Prime Video channel BritBox is on sale for $3.49/month for the first three months, then it goes up to the normal price of $6.99/month. That’s half off for three months. Offer only good for those Prime members who don’t already have the channel.

I didn’t check on other channels but I bet they have some more good deals for channels you don’t already subscribe to.

If you scroll down the Channels screen a bit it shows several at half off for 3 months. Unfortunately Acorn isn't one of them - they just dropped S2 of London Kills. My British wish list already had Bodyguard, Manhunt and the latest seasons of Shetland and Line of Duty.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by cc_in_oh

If you scroll down the Channels screen a bit it shows several at half off for 3 months. Unfortunately Acorn isn't one of them - they just dropped S2 of London Kills. My British wish list already had Bodyguard, Manhunt and the latest seasons of Shetland and Line of Duty.

A couple of days ago I saw they had some TV series on sale too, some at least half off.