Amazon Echo Club

[Catlady]

My one-and-only real purchase on Prime Day was a robot vacuum that is Alexa-enabled. I was considering adding the relevant Alexa skill, but there doesn't seem to be anything a voice command will do that I can't do from the vacuum's own app, more directly and without chance of error. It seems pointless to add an extra step: alert Alexa, tell Alexa to tell the vacuum to clean; as opposed to open the app and press the clean button.

I guess I just don't really get the whole voice-command thing.

[cc_in_oh]

Originally Posted by Catlady

My one-and-only real purchase on Prime Day was a robot vacuum that is Alexa-enabled. I was considering adding the relevant Alexa skill, but there doesn't seem to be anything a voice command will do that I can't do from the vacuum's own app, more directly and without chance of error. It seems pointless to add an extra step: alert Alexa, tell Alexa to tell the vacuum to clean; as opposed to open the app and press the clean button.

I guess I just don't really get the whole voice-command thing.

For some devices voice commands aren't much more than a gimmick. Very useful for lighting and plugs though when you have a mix of several different brands - with Alexa device and group names you don't have to remember which app or apps to use.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Catlady

My one-and-only real purchase on Prime Day was a robot vacuum that is Alexa-enabled. I was considering adding the relevant Alexa skill, but there doesn't seem to be anything a voice command will do that I can't do from the vacuum's own app, more directly and without chance of error. It seems pointless to add an extra step: alert Alexa, tell Alexa to tell the vacuum to clean; as opposed to open the app and press the clean button.

I guess I just don't really get the whole voice-command thing.

I guess it depends on how a user has things set up.

For me, it would be:

1 get phone,
2 unlock phone
3 open app
4 press the clean button
Any of the above may take multiple swipes/taps

Or

1 Say "Alexa, clean up"

I can see the app being easier if I'm out and about, but if I'm at home, I think I would want to use Alexa for normal duty.

YMMV

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by cc_in_oh

For some devices voice commands aren't much more than a gimmick. Very useful for lighting and plugs though when you have a mix of several different brands - with Alexa device and group names you don't have to remember which app or apps to use.

I guess. My few smart plugs are mostly set up with their relevant apps to turn on and off at specified time, so I don't use the app after initial setup.

Originally Posted by John F

I guess it depends on how a user has things set up.

For me, it would be:

1 get phone,
2 unlock phone
3 open app
4 press the clean button
Any of the above may take multiple swipes/taps

Or

1 Say "Alexa, clean up"

I can see the app being easier if I'm out and about, but if I'm at home, I think I would want to use Alexa for normal duty.

YMMV

Except that the vacuum--like most devices, I believe--can be programmed to operate at a scheduled time/day, so using either the app or Alexa would generally be infrequent, like if you want an extra cleanup cycle before guests arrive. And with Alexa, it apparently wouldn't be "Alexa, clean up"; it would be (according to the download page at Amazon) "Alexa, ask MyNeato to start cleaning." (Neato is the vacuum brand.)

Now, I am sure that I would forget if I should say "MyNeato" or "Neato"; "start cleaning" or "clean" or "clean up" or "start vacuuming" or "vacuum." Which is why pressing the button for the app seems easier.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

"Alexa, ask MyNeato to start cleaning."

"I've added Doritos to your shopping list. By the way, would you like to...."

[OtinG]

LOL at the Doritos order! Yep, Alexa has a mind of her own.

Some voice commands with Alexa and Siri work fairly well, others not so much, especially with Alexa. I get tired of arguing with her when I ask to have a specific light turn on/off, dimmed, color change, etc. and she claims there is no such device. Repeating the command several times finally gets her to carry it out. She is often like dealing with a teenage daughter with lots of attitude.

With Alexa, the app does a good job with routines that are programmed to occur at specific times. But using the app to turn on a specific light or plug takes several steps. So either argue with her via voice, fish through a poorly organized and designed app, or just go directly to the app for that light and turn it on much faster. Apple has very little as far as HomeKit accessories, but at least the Home app is far better than the Alexa app. Siri is less likely to argue, but she probably is dumber than Alexa though! So with HomeKit accessories I also usually use the Home app or the accessory’s app rather than voice.

I shudder to think how horribly wrong voice commands will go over in driverless automobiles.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Catlady

...

Except that the vacuum--like most devices, I believe--can be programmed to operate at a scheduled time/day, so using either the app or Alexa would generally be infrequent, like if you want an extra cleanup cycle before guests arrive. And with Alexa, it apparently wouldn't be "Alexa, clean up"; it would be (according to the download page at Amazon) "Alexa, ask MyNeato to start cleaning." (Neato is the vacuum brand.)

Now, I am sure that I would forget if I should say "MyNeato" or "Neato"; "start cleaning" or "clean" or "clean up" or "start vacuuming" or "vacuum." Which is why pressing the button for the app seems easier.

And that could all be solved with a routine.

[John F]

Originally Posted by OtinG

...

With Alexa, the app does a good job with routines that are programmed to occur at specific times. But using the app to turn on a specific light or plug takes several steps. So either argue with her via voice, fish through a poorly organized and designed app, or just go directly to the app for that light and turn it on much faster. Apple has very little as far as HomeKit accessories, but at least the Home app is far better than the Alexa app. Siri is less likely to argue, but she probably is dumber than Alexa though! So with HomeKit accessories I also usually use the Home app or the accessory’s app rather than voice.

...

If you do some pre-setup, I don't really see a problem (with lights/plugs)

Using the Alexa App:

Open the Alexa app
click on "Devices"
Scroll to the plug (may not need to scroll: move the more often used plugs earlier)
click on the plug

The above, for me, seems easier then remembering which plug goes with which app, not to mention once you have other things besides plugs.

It would be nice if Alexa had a widget for IOS (that exposed devices).

[OtinG]

Routines are really good, but they are only good for commonly needed commands. If you created a routine for every possibility, you would have too many to remember, much more than even the devices. Clutter would occur and memory would fail and we would not remember what we named all those routines.

The Alexa app is for everything, not just for controlling devices. When you pull up the Alexa app, you have to fish through several screens. Amazon seems to rearrange those screens a lot with updates to the app. It takes too long to use the Alexa app. The Apple Home app is only for controlling devices, so it is laid out much better and is much easier to find what you need.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by John F

And that could all be solved with a routine.

Yeah, I tried that once with a smart plug. Far too complicated, and the plug didn't even require a skill, if I remember correctly. I ended up bypassing Alexa and using the smart plug's own app, and it works fine.

With the vacuum, as far as I can tell, I need the skill first, then I need the routine, then I need to pray and hope. It's not intuitive or user-friendly at all. The skill should not be needed; Alexa should recognize a new device on the same network and automatically ask about setting it up to use with a voice command, as part of a routine, etc. in the Alexa app.

I'm not asking for a guide on how to set up a skill and routine for the vacuum (I've glanced at the help files and the Google sites); I have no intention of doing it mainly because I just don't need the hassle involved in setting up something that doesn't make my life any easier.

[John F]

Originally Posted by OtinG

Routines are really good, but they are only good for commonly needed commands. If you created a routine for every possibility, you would have too many to remember, much more than even the devices. Clutter would occur and memory would fail and we would not remember what we named all those routines.

I use routines for common and uncommon commands, anx routines are good for both.

As far as "too many", to me i don't see the logic of the statement. I either remember a bunch of different apps, UIs, voice commands, ... Or I take control and organize routines the way I like.

And it's not like you have to use routines exclusively.

The Alexa app is for everything, not just for controlling devices. When you pull up the Alexa app, you have to fish through several screens. Amazon seems to rearrange those screens a lot with updates to the app. It takes too long to use the Alexa app. The Apple Home app is only for controlling devices, so it is laid out much better and is much easier to find what you need.

1/2 a dozen of one, 6 of the other. I like that the Alexa app does more then just control devices.

YMMV

[John F]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Yeah, I tried that once with a smart plug. Far too complicated, and the plug didn't even require a skill, if I remember correctly. I ended up bypassing Alexa and using the smart plug's own app, and it works fine.

With the vacuum, as far as I can tell, I need the skill first, then I need the routine, then I need to pray and hope. It's not intuitive or user-friendly at all. The skill should not be needed; Alexa should recognize a new device on the same network and automatically ask about setting it up to use with a voice command, as part of a routine, etc. in the Alexa app.

I'm not asking for a guide on how to set up a skill and routine for the vacuum (I've glanced at the help files and the Google sites); I have no intention of doing it mainly because I just don't need the hassle involved in setting up something that doesn't make my life any easier.

Too each their own. You found what works best for you. That's what counts.

For me, saying "alexa cleanup" would be easier then opening an app and pushing a button.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by John F

Too each their own. You found what works best for you. That's what counts.

For me, saying "alexa cleanup" would be easier then opening an app and pushing a button.

I agree. I use the base Alexa commands to do most on/off things, like lights, but then have routines that do more complex tasks. So, a custom reminder that is tied to sunset that turns on the living room lamp, and reminds me to tuck in the chickens in their coop to protect them from predators. Another -- "Alexa, what's tomorrow look like", that gives me the weather tonight and tomorrow, and lists off my appointments for the next day. Etc. Etc.

[John F]

Here is an interesting one...

I'm listening to some music on an Echo. I say "Alexa, volume up". It lowers the music volume and then asks "Do you want to turn up the volume some more?".

How am I supposed to know if the music isn't playing at full volume?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by John F

Here is an interesting one...

I'm listening to some music on an Echo. I say "Alexa, volume up". It lowers the music volume and then asks "Do you want to turn up the volume some more?".

How am I supposed to know if the music isn't playing at full volume?

Yup, same thing happened here.
What a totally unnecessary question. Not only can't you hear what you're listening to, but did they REALLY think we needed to be asked, and couldn't understand that we could give the same command again if needed?
They really are putting idiots in charge of this stuff.
If Alexa had worked when got my first Echo the same way she does now, I would have returned it and switched to Google devices.