Amazon Echo Club

[CRussel]

FWIW, ApK, the Echos do keep a few things "local" -- reminders, timers, and alarms, at a minimum, because I've had those work even when the internet is down here. But you're right about most integration -- it can't be run locally. A feature I'd like to see is the ability for Alexa to connect to local (Bluetooth, for example) devices and manage them without having to have an active internet connection.

[ApK]

Of course. I was referring to skills consuming services from the tcp/ip network.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon reportedly developing a wall-mounted Echo, sound bar, updated car technology

Amazon is working on a wall-mounted Echo and a TV sound bar, along with updates to its car technology and wearable devices, according to a Bloomberg report Friday that cites internal documents and sources familiar with the matter.

Amazon could expand its lineup of smart-screen Echo Show devices. The company is planning an Alexa-controlled Echo with a roughly 15-inch display that can be mounted on a wall or placed on a stand, according to the article. It could serve as a control panel for smart home devices and be placed in the kitchen to show recipes or other helpful information, the report said.

The report comes as Amazon is set to announce new devices at an event Sept. 28. The company typically holds an in-person hardware event at its Seattle headquarters, but like last year, it’s having a streaming event online. Some of the devices Bloomberg mentioned could be announced at the event, while others may be launched later on or scrapped entirely, the report said.

[CRussel]

Ok, the wall mounted Echo for the kitchen? Yup, I'll go for that if it's even remotely well priced.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by ApK

I'm with you. Home security footage is the last thing I want under the control of some unknown foreign corporation.

I'm eventually going to get a commercial/industrial type camera system that's all local.

The problem with Alexa integration is that, IIRC, Alexa is totally blocked from working locally. So if you REALLY want "local" functionality with Alexa, you'd need to serve your own content out to the cloud via your own server, and then create an Alexa skill to consume it. (Unless you choose an existing server/skill that accomplishes the same thing.)

Yep. I think Apple is the same when it comes to cams. I’m currently using Amcrest cams and saving on SD cards, which isn’t great, but I’m not convinced it is worth using power over ethernet to power the cams and save the images/video to a DVR type of device. I’m using WiFi with the cams and viewing the content on computers via Amcrest app. No way to view them via Alexa since I don’t store on a cloud.

Originally Posted by CRussel

FWIW, ApK, the Echos do keep a few things "local" -- reminders, timers, and alarms, at a minimum, because I've had those work even when the internet is down here. But you're right about most integration -- it can't be run locally. A feature I'd like to see is the ability for Alexa to connect to local (Bluetooth, for example) devices and manage them without having to have an active internet connection.

Yes, but we were talking about security cam footage. Amazon is adverse to allowing us to store and use cam footage locally for viewing on Alexa devices. They want to charge for cloud services.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Amazon reportedly developing a wall-mounted Echo, sound bar, updated car technology

I’ll darn sure never buy another Show. What a waste of money. They really don’t do much, and what little they do they don’t do very well. My Show 5 1st gen has been total crap. Bezos should be forced to wear VR goggles for the rest of his life with constant Tips an Ads being continuously pushed into his field of view!

[ApK]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Ok, the wall mounted Echo for the kitchen? Yup, I'll go for that if it's even remotely well priced.

Yeah, if the mics are more optimized for being near a wall, then I'm interested. I'd need to see how it mounts, though.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by ApK

Of course. I was referring to skills consuming services from the tcp/ip network.

Yup, I knew that.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Introduces Echo Show 15 to Help Keep Families Organized, Connected, and Entertained

Echo Show 15 is an entirely new Echo Show with a beautiful 15.6-inch display that you can mount to your wall or place on your counter

Customizable home screen with Alexa widgets lets you easily stay organized—view your shared calendar, manage shopping and to-do lists, find meal inspiration, and more

Stay connected inside and outside the home—view and control smart home devices, track packages, leave notes for family members, or call loved ones

Stream content in 1080p Full HD from Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and soon SLING TV, for hours of entertainment throughout the day

Built with the next-generation Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor, Echo Show 15 is capable of on-device speech and computer vision processing

• $249.99 -- Echo Show 15 -- coming soon

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 28, 2021-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon today introduced Echo Show 15, a new addition to the Echo Show family that is designed to be the digital heart of your home. With a 15.6-inch, 1080p Full HD display, Echo Show 15 can be mounted on a wall or placed on a counter—either in portrait or landscape orientation—and is designed to help you stay organized, connected, and entertained. Echo Show 15 is built with the next-generation Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor, a redesigned home screen with more customization options, new personalization features with visual ID, and all-new Alexa experiences.

“Today, families juggle multiple competing priorities—what time to drop the kids off at soccer practice, what to make for dinner, or when to schedule the next appointment—the list goes on and on. With Echo Show 15, Alexa can help,” said Tom Taylor, senior vice president, Amazon Alexa. “Echo Show 15 brings everything that makes your household tick into one place. With a redesigned home screen and Alexa widgets, you can customize Echo Show 15 to see your shared family calendar, manage to-do lists and reminders, find meal inspiration, and keep track of your incoming packages. Plus, Echo Show 15 can adapt to your home environment with full-screen photos or art, so it’s always there when you need it, but fades beautifully into the background when you don’t.”

With customizable Alexa widgets, Echo Show 15 brings together everything families need on its beautiful 15.6-inch Full HD screen. To complement the ambient rotating content, you can customize your device home screen using a new widgets gallery, which lets you choose and add the information most useful to you and your family. Alexa widgets continually refresh to stay up to date, so you always have the latest information, and you can easily rearrange them to suit your needs and preferences.

more...

Pricing and Availability

Echo Show 15 will be available for $249.99. To learn more, visit: www.amazon.com/EchoShow15. Countertop stands and under-cabinet mount accessories are sold separately. Echo Show 15 has the Climate Pledge Friendly badge on Amazon.com—a distinction to help customers discover and shop for more sustainable products.

[John F]

And a robot.

(sorry, I saw it on one of there pages abd can't orovide a link)

Introducing Amazon Astro, Household Robot for Home Monitoring, with Alexa, Includes 6-month Free Trial of Ring Protect Pro

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by John F

And a robot.

(sorry, I saw it on one of there pages abd can't orovide a link)

• $999.99 -- Amazon Astro

Introducing Amazon Astro, Household Robot for Home Monitoring, with Alexa, Includes 6-month Free Trial of Ring Protect Pro

Introductory price. After introductory period, price will be $1,449.99. Terms and conditions apply.

Available exclusively by invitation

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Please note this product can only ship to addresses in the 50 US states.

This product has limited quantities available. Not all requests will be granted. Learn more.

[OtinG]

Just we need, a $1000 Amazon Echo bot that follows us around with endless tips and advertisements while randomly talking to itself and telling us it can’t do whatever we asked it to.

Might be pretty cool to see it on an episode of BattleBots though, getting its transistors shredded!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Just we need, a $1000 Amazon Echo bot that follows us around with endless tips and advertisements while randomly talking to itself and telling us it can’t do whatever we asked it to.

Might be pretty cool to see it on an episode of BattleBots though, getting its transistors shredded!

Since the bots name is Astro, they should've made him look like a dog

[cc_in_oh]

Anyone have any luck with the PLUG99 promo code for a 99 cent Amazon smart plug? Didn't work for me...

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Since the bots name is Astro, they should've made him look like a dog

Speaking of dogs--and cats--what happens when they knock over the robot?

In any case, it looks more like Rosie than Astro.

I can't imagine why anyone would need a personal stalker robot. Wouldn't anyone inclined to buy this thing already have all sorts of smart home devices, so what does this add except something to trip over?