Amazon Echo Club

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Why do I get excited about new Dots when I barely use the three I have?

I may trade in one to get the new Dot with the clock; at least that's a feature I would actually use! Generally I'm not crazy about the new look--I like the compactness of the old Dots.

No improvements on what I already have (Dot 3s & Show 5), so no need to upgrade.

[tubemonkey]

Introducing new Alexa features

We’re humbled by the stories we hear every day about how Alexa makes our customers’ lives a little better. Stories from customers like Belle, who at 103 years young relies on Alexa to help her live independently, inspire us to build features that make life a bit easier and—hopefully—more fun.

Today, we announced a new line up of Echo devices, an all-new Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, and several new Alexa features designed to help you stay connected, entertained, productive—and give you some extra peace of mind.

• Group Calling
  
• Zoom and Amazon Chime on Echo Show
  
• Video effects
  
• Care Hub
  
• Guard Plus
  
• More privacy features
  
• "Alexa, what’s for dinner?"
  
• Upcoming new sound detectors
  
• Netflix on Echo Show
  
• Music sharing
  
• Reading Sidekick
  
• Alexa voice profiles for kids

[OtinG]

We’re humbled by the stories we hear every day about how Alexa makes our customers’ lives a little better....

Seriously? Apparently they haven't been reading the forums or the reviews on their own Amazon dot com site. Nor have they understood the humorous body slam they keep taking on comedy shows which illustrate how confused Alexa (and her competition) seem to be. Apparently they don't care that the Show 5 seems to be a 103 year old with dead batteries in her hearing aides. Or that the Show 5, designed primarily as a somewhat pricey alarm clock is so screwed up with shoving Tips up customers backsides that it can’t even be used as an alarm clock.

BTW, does anyone think the new Dot 4s will look and work okay hanging from a wall mount like the predecessors do? Dot 2 and 3 work fine for that, but I darn sure don’t want that miniature Epcot Center Dot 4 hanging on my wall.

I'm also wondering what went through the designer's head to make the Show 10" go from looking sleek to looking like a 20 year old Apple iMac with a bulky body and awkwardly attached screen.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by OtinG

BTW, does anyone think the new Dot 4s will look and work okay hanging from a wall mount like the predecessors do? Dot 2 and 3 work fine for that, but I darn sure don’t want that miniature Epcot Center Dot 4 hanging on my wall.

It seems like it would be very unbalanced in a wall mount, because of how the globe would stick out, which would also be aesthetically weird as well. The only Dot I use with any regularity is the one in the kitchen with a wall mount, which keeps it out of the way and doesn't take up valuable counter space.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Seriously? Apparently they haven't been reading the forums or the reviews on their own Amazon dot com site. Nor have they understood the humorous body slam they keep taking on comedy shows which illustrate how confused Alexa (and her competition) seem to be.

C'mon, you're not humbled?

Apparently they don't care that the Show 5 seems to be a 103 year old with dead batteries in her hearing aides. Or that the Show 5, designed primarily as a somewhat pricey alarm clock is so screwed up with shoving Tips up customers backsides that it can’t even be used as an alarm clock.

I heart my Show 5. It's a fantastic clock-radio. I use it every day. It's my favorite Echo. I mostly operate it via the touch screen. Besides, I got it for $1.69 last Prime Day.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

C'mon, you're not humbled?



I heart my Show 5. It's a fantastic clock-radio. I use it every day. It's my favorite Echo. I mostly operate it via the touch screen. Besides, I got it for $1.69 last Prime Day.

Mine flickers the screen on and off constantly every few minutes as it attempts to leave the clock screen to show Tips, even though Tips and all other notifications are turned off. The constant change in screen brightness makes it terrible for being next to where one sleeps. An alarm clock that is only useful during the daylight hours isn’t of much use. Occasionally it manages to show Tips even when set to never do that. The touch screen is okay, but it is slow and clunky to use IMO. I Basically use mine as an annoying daytime clock that can display song info and lyrics; sometimes. Not all songs come with any info or lyrics. I keep my Echo Plus 2nd gen next to it for use with most things which require or work well with Alexa.

I might try to get a discounted Dot 3 with clock during the sales they will likely have on them during the liquidation process, assuming they discontinue it. I think people who like wall mounted dots will be sad to see the hockey puck design discontinued.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

I might try to get a discounted Dot 3 with clock during the sales they will likely have on them during the liquidation process, assuming they discontinue it. I think people who like wall mounted dots will be sad to see the hockey puck design discontinued.

You're in luck. Amazon finally announced Prime Day (13-14 Oct) and placed a bunch of items up for early sale starting today. If you buy 2 of the Dot 3s, they're $20 each.

Echo Dot 3rd Gen -- $39.99 for 2 -- Prime only -- exp 05 Oct @ 11:59 pm PT

Prime members get 2 for $39.98. Enter code DOTPRIME2PK at checkout.

Terms & Conditions

• Spoiler:

  Prime exclusive Echo Dot (3rd Gen) 2-Pack Terms and Conditions:
  
  • Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. (PT) [October 5, 2020]
  
  • Offer only applies to products sold by Amazon.com or Amazon.com Services LLC (look for "sold by Amazon.com" or "sold by Amazon.com Services LLC " on the product detail page). Products sold by third-party sellers or other Amazon entities will not qualify for this offer, even if "fulfilled by Amazon.com" or "Prime Eligible".
  
  • Offer does not apply to digital content.
  
  • Offer good while supplies last.
  
  • Shipping charges and taxes may apply to the full value of discounted and free promotional items.
  
  • Items must be purchased in a single order and shipped at the same speed to a single address.
  
  • Offer may not be combined with other offers.
  
  • Taxes, shipping and handling, and gift wrap charges do not apply when determining minimum purchase amount.
  
  • The maximum benefit you may receive from this offer is [2] of [Echo Dot 3rd Gen].
  
  • This offer is available to Prime members only.
  
  • The shipping speed for this offer is [two-day/standard] shipping.
  
  • Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel the offer at any time.
  
  • Offer is non-transferable and may not be resold.
  
  • Offer discount will be allocated proportionally among all promotional items in your order.
  
  • If any of the products or content related to this offer are returned, your refund will equal the amount you paid for the product or content, subject to applicable refund policies.
  
  • If you violate any of these terms, the offer will be invalid.
  
  • Unless an Amazon Gift Card is the stated benefit of the promotion, promotional codes (including those placed directly in accounts) may not be redeemed for Amazon Gift Card

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

You're in luck. Amazon finally announced Prime Day (13-14 Oct) and placed a bunch of items up for early sale starting today. If you buy 2 of the Dot 3s, they're $20 each.

Echo Dot 3rd Gen -- $39.99 for 2 -- Prime only -- exp 05 Oct @ 11:59 pm PT



Terms & Conditions

Looks like they already removed the Dot 3s with clock. I looked last night and they had refurbs for $55, which is way too much, but no new ones. They might pull some out of reserve for Prime Days, but they might also just be out of them. They might get a few back in trades though.

[mlewis78]

I was wondering if the Dots with clock cast light in the room. I had bought my Show 5 after it went on sale and canceled an order for the Dot with clock (which was on a long back order last December). Soon I realized it's useless in the bedroom because the light keeps coming back on even though I told it to turn the screen off. I

It's in the living room as an extra clock and a way to listen to radio shows that are available on youtube. Oh, and most important of all it provides the sound for my Fire TV Cube when the TV set sound does not work. My other Echoes would no longer pair with the Cube.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

I was wondering if the Dots with clock cast light in the room. I had bought my Show 5 after it went on sale and canceled an order for the Dot with clock (which was on a long back order last December). Soon I realized it's useless in the bedroom because the light keeps coming back on even though I told it to turn the screen off. I

It's in the living room as an extra clock and a way to listen to radio shows that are available on youtube. Oh, and most important of all it provides the sound for my Fire TV Cube when the TV set sound does not work. My other Echoes would no longer pair with the Cube.

If the lighted clock on the Dot with clock is like I think it is, it probably doesn’t cast much light into a dark room. Any light source will cast some light, of course, but I have a clock with temperature and humidity read outs that I think has a very similar light system. Its light is very dim, so dim that it barely allows you to read it in a dark room. It has a daytime setting that engages automatically at sunrise so it can be read during the daytime too. I suspect the Dot with clock is probably very similar. The only light being emitted is coming through the illuminated numbers. Since it doesn’t have a LCD monitor, it doesn’t emit that much light into the room. My time and weather clock doesn’t emit enough light into a dark room to bother me while trying to sleep. Hopefully the Dot 3 and Dot 4 with clock is very similar.

[mlewis78]

That would be good if the dot clock does not brighten the room. My Show 5 even reflected light off the wall when I turned it away from the bed.

[Catlady]

Question for anyone with an Echo Show 5: Can the camera be turned off independently of the microphone? Or would I have to cover it with tape?

The Prime Day price ($45) is so tempting, especially if I trade in a Dot.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Question for anyone with an Echo Show 5: Can the camera be turned off independently of the microphone? Or would I have to cover it with tape?

The Prime Day price ($45) is so tempting, especially if I trade in a Dot.

I think so as there is a physical switch to block the camera lens. Let me do a quick test and post back. I'm pretty sure I have my camera lens blocked off and I know the device can hear me, sort of. Be aware that Show 5's are notoriously hard of hearing.

ETA: I just verified on my Show 5 that the camera lens slider can be on, camera lens therefore blocked, and the microphone still works. So no tape required.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Question for anyone with an Echo Show 5: Can the camera be turned off independently of the microphone? Or would I have to cover it with tape?

The Prime Day price ($45) is so tempting, especially if I trade in a Dot.

I have a Show 5 and the camera can be switched off by a physical tab on top. Doing so does NOT affect the mic in any way. I keep my cam permanently turned off. For that matter, I also keep the mic turned off until I need to issue a rare voice command.

[OtinG]

Amazon is offering 12 Prime Video channels at reduced rates from now through Prime Day(s). Each channel is offered at a rate of 99 cents/mo for the first two months, then it goes to the normal price thereafter. Of course restrictions do apply, so read the fine print. I suspect you can cancel at any time though.

Amazon Prime Video channel deals

There also also deals on rental and purchased videos.