Amazon Echo Club

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by wodin

I just got an email from Jeff's gang saying Echo Auto is now available for $50.

I'm not sure if I want one as my car has Android Auto, which can be active while the radio is playing the local drive time talk guy. The Echo blurb says I have to switch to Bluetooth or Aux to use it, which I think would turn off the radio.

Anybody have one of these and can advise?

I believe it was still a $25 invitation only device the day before Amazon's big event. Then it was no longer invitation only, and the price shot up.

No experience with it.

If anyone is interested in the Echo Frames and/or Echo Loop, now is the time to seek an invite while the prices are low. Once they get released to the public, the Frames will go from $180 to $250 and the Loop will go from $130 to $180.

[wodin]

Yep, but they sent me a promotion code for the $25 price. I'm still not sure I want one.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by wodin

Yep, but they sent me a promotion code for the $25 price. I'm still not sure I want one.

I can't have one for two reasons: 1) I listen to the radio when driving and have no desire to listen to anything else, and 2) I don't have a data plan, therefore I have no access to the net in my car. If I need to access the net while driving, I have to pull over and find into a WiFi hotspot.

[Tarana]

Nothing jumps out at me, but I am encouraging my brother to get the new Echo to replace his other Dot1 (I replaced the first Dot1 with a Dot3). I'll look for a trade-in for him as there is no hurry. His Dot1 doesn't understand him so well since he can't wear his teeth any more (hopefully a thing that will change). Doesn't have any problem with his Echo2 or the Dot3.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Tarana

Nothing jumps out at me, but I am encouraging my brother to get the new Echo to replace his other Dot1 (I replaced the first Dot1 with a Dot3). I'll look for a trade-in for him as there is no hurry. His Dot1 doesn't understand him so well since he can't wear his teeth any more (hopefully a thing that will change). Doesn't have any problem with his Echo2 or the Dot3.

I expect to see low Dot prices again when Black Friday rolls around. So definitely wait until then.

$10 extra gets a you a Dot with a digital clock readout through the fabric covering. Saves you from having ask for the time. If I didn't already have a Show 5, I'd get one this BF.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by wodin

I just got an email from Jeff's gang saying Echo Auto is now available for $50.

I'm not sure if I want one as my car has Android Auto, which can be active while the radio is playing the local drive time talk guy. The Echo blurb says I have to switch to Bluetooth or Aux to use it, which I think would turn off the radio.

Anybody have one of these and can advise?

I just picked up mine yesterday, and did a 5 hour drive home with it. Overall, positive. It's a bit stupider than Siri at making calls, but worked well at playing my current Audible book. It was convenient to have access to my lists and reminders while in the car, and all the other things I use Alexa for. But if you have a smart car, and don't need voice activation, I'm not sure if it would make sense. But for my sports car? It even works with the top down.

Charlie.

[OtinG]

I'm glad Amazon and 3rd parties are being innovative, but the new Echo Loop - Smart ring with Alexa seems like a odd item. To each their own of course, but seriously it looks like a cheap plastic ring that came out of a box of Cracker Jacks! Plus I think it is going to give a new meaning to "talk to the hand". Butt ugly to say the least. I think an Alexa watch would have made more since. The Fitbit Versa 2 Health & Fitness Smartwatch with Heart Rate, Music, Alexa Built-in, Sleep & Swim Tracking, Black/Carbon, One Size makes more sense, and after the "invitation only" period expires they will probably cost about the same, but the Fitbit Versa 2 will also have fitness and heath monitoring capability plus it won't look like someone took a piece of black PVC plumbers pipe and made a thick, ugly ring out of it.

[DiapDealer]

There are plenty of people who won't wear a watch, but probably wouldn't mind wearing a ring. Even an ugly one. *shrug*

Besides... there will eventually be a Wear OS Alexa app which will take care of Android watch users. Android phones already let you choose which default Assist app you want to use. I can choose between Google, Amazon Alexa, or None. So I figure it's only a matter of time before all Android watches are officially Alexa-enabled.

I fell out of all marketers' primary demographic long ago. Which means my opinion on which future tech the masses might embrace is pretty-much useless.

An old man (speaking about myself, here) poo-pooing an ugly tech-ring isn't exactly a convincing indication that it won't sell like hotcakes.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

An old man (speaking about myself, here) poo-pooing an ugly tech-ring isn't exactly a convincing indication that it won't sell like hotcakes.

I wasn't writing a review, I was writing an opinion, which I'm entitled to do BTW.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by OtinG

I wasn't writing a review, I was writing an opinion, which I'm entitled to do BTW.

And I'm entitled to write an opinion of your opinion. See how that goes?

Sheesh! Lighten up Francis. I never once suggested you weren't entitled to write your opinion. You might consider leaving yourself some room for typical escalation next time, though. Instead of leading with the righteous indignation right out of the gate. Feel free to continue your conversation. I'll not interrupt with my opinions again.

[wodin]

I signed up for an Echo Loop (you know, the butt ugly Alexa ring) invitation. Hopefully someone here will get one and render an opinion before my number comes up. If not, I'll render my opinion then.

It might look like a cheap plastic ring, but the specs say it's an expensive titanium one; we'll see.

[tubemonkey]

None of the new Echos interest me, though I'm looking to get a couple of Show 5s during Black Friday for Christmas gifts. I really heart my Show 5.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

...
I really heart my Show 5.

[ApK]

So this just happened. Twice:
Me: "Alexa, announce."
Her: "What's the announcement?"
Me: "Alex, come down here."
Her: < a whistle, in the 'come over here' taxi-hail style> followed by my voice saying "come down here."

Wtf?

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Is Watching Your Home Security Cameras

Bloomberg Technology

Oct.10 -- In a promotional video, Amazon.com Inc. says its Cloud Cam home security camera provides “everything you need to monitor your home, day or night.” In fact, the artificially intelligent device requires help from a squad of invisible employees. Bloomberg's Matt Day has more on "Bloomberg Markets: The Close."