Amazon Echo Club

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by cc_in_oh

I hope they make a Tap that you can actually just tap instead of having to pick up and hold it every time you press the button? And with some kind of disposable or washable cover so you can use it while working with dirty hands?

That might happen. It can be now be set up to use a wake word, although if I recall correctly the only option is "Alexa", unlike it's larger sibling who can also go by "Amazon" and "Computer" should you so desire. As for covers, there are several. Just make sure you get a bottomless one so it will work with your charger. Unfortunately I know of none that are washable at this time, but the anti-roll leather ones I've seen at Amazon can be cleaned.

[cc_in_oh]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

That might happen. It can be now be set up to use a wake word, although if I recall the only option is "Alexa", unlike it's larger sibling who can also go by "Amazon" and "Computer" should you so desire. As for covers, there are several. Just make sure you get a bottomless one so it will work with your charger. Unfortunately I know of none that are washable at this time, but the anti-roll leather ones I've seen at Amazon can be cleaned.

I prefer the "tap" mode, it would just be nice to be able to do it with one finger like the name implies...

[tubemonkey]

“Alexa, Play My Music Everywhere”

New multi-room music feature lets you group multiple Amazon Echo devices for synchronized music streaming in every room

New Alexa developer tools extend multi-room audio to other connected speakers and audio systems

Amazon today announced an all-new Alexa feature that lets you control and synchronize music across multiple Amazon Echo devices in your home. Starting today, you can target music to a specific Echo device or a group of devices—just ask. Soon, this ability will be extended to control multi-room music on other connected speakers using simply your voice.

“In just the last few months, we’ve added dozens of new features to Alexa that enhance your entertainment experience—control of Amazon Fire TV and your home entertainment systems via Echo; music lyrics, Amazon Video, and movie trailers on Echo Show; and activity-based music searches—and we’re just getting started,” said Toni Reid, Vice President, Amazon Alexa. “Today, we’re making Alexa even smarter with an all-new feature that lets you play music synchronized on multiple Echo devices to provide room-filling music throughout your home.”

Multi-Room Music on Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show

You can now synchronize your music playback across Echo devices to play songs from Amazon Music, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Pandora, with support for Spotify and SiriusXM coming soon. Simply use the Alexa App to create groups with two or more Echo devices by naming the group, such as “downstairs.” Once you’ve created the group, simply say “Alexa, play John Mayer downstairs.”

Customers in the US, UK, and Germany can start using multi-room music today on their Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show devices.

[tubemonkey]

New Tools Let Device Makers Create Additional Voice-Controlled Music Experiences with Alexa

Amazon also announced two new sets of tools for developers to bring multi-room music control to their speakers.

Alexa Voice Service (AVS) Multi-Room Music SDK

Amazon is introducing new tools that enable AVS device makers to integrate with Amazon Alexa Multi-Room Music. Doing so will allow customers to play their music across supported Echo and AVS devices—for example, a customer with three Echo devices and two standalone AVS speakers can play synchronized music across all five devices. These tools will be available early next year.

Connected Speaker APIs

These new tools enable device makers with connected audio systems to control music playback using Alexa. A customer can then use any Alexa-enabled device – for example an Echo Dot – to play music throughout their home on their connected audio systems. Amazon is excited to be working with leading brands on this offering, including Sonos, Bose, Sound United, and Samsung.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

“Alexa, Play My Music Everywhere”

AFTVnews says that this doesn't work with Bluetooth speakers. I don't see that in the link you have though.

http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-echo-...udio-playback/

[KimberlyFDR]

What would be ideal is if we could continue flash briefings between devices. I start my daily briefing upstairs on my Dot when I'm getting ready in the morning, but then have to cut it off before it's done to go downstairs. If I could just carry it to my downstairs Echo and have it continue then I could get a whole briefing done each day.

[tubemonkey]

Alexa meet Cortana, Cortana meet Alexa

Coming later this year.

Amazon and Microsoft collaborate to help Alexa and Cortana talk to each other

SEATTLE—August 30, 2017—Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) announced today that Alexa will be able to talk to Cortana, and Cortana will be able to talk to Alexa. You will be able to turn to your Echo device and say, “Alexa, open Cortana”, or turn to your Windows 10 device and say, “Cortana, open Alexa”.

Alexa customers will be able to access Cortana’s unique features like booking a meeting or accessing work calendars, reminding you to pick up flowers on your way home, or reading your work email – all using just your voice. Similarly, Cortana customers can ask Alexa to control their smart home devices, shop on Amazon.com, interact with many of the more than 20,000 skills built by third-party developers, and much more.

“Ensuring Cortana is available for our customers everywhere and across any device is a key priority for us,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Bringing Cortana’s knowledge, Office 365 integration, commitments, and reminders to Alexa is a great step toward that goal.”

“The world is big and so multifaceted. There are going to be multiple successful intelligent agents, each with access to different sets of data and with different specialized skill areas. Together, their strengths will complement each other and provide customers with a richer and even more helpful experience,” said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO, Amazon. “It’s great for Echo owners to get easy access to Cortana.”

Alexa and Cortana will begin talking to each other later this year.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

AFTVnews says that this doesn't work with Bluetooth speakers. I don't see that in the link you have though.

http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-echo-...udio-playback/

Interesting. Do you have your Dot(s) paired with BT speakers?

[tubemonkey]

All Alexa devices can now remotely control music playback on Echo devices

My Dash Wand is now a limited remote control for my Dots

Commands: start, stop, pause, resume, skip, repeat

Volume control is NOT supported

While the new ability to synchronize music playback across multiple Echo devices is getting most of the attention today, Alexa has also gained another very powerful new feature that is going mostly unnoticed. You can now remotely control music playback on Echo devices using any Alexa device. Without having to do any kind of setup, you can ask Alexa on any device to start, stop, or change the music being played on specific Amazon Echos, Echo Dots, and Echo Shows that you own.

By simply adding “…on [ECHO NAME]” to the end of any music request made through an Alexa-enabled device, you can remotely control music playback on a specific Echo device. The name used is the name you’ve configured for the Echo device through the Alexa app. So if you have an Echo in your kitchen called “Kitchen Echo,” for example, you can say “Alexa, play rock music on Kitchen Echo” to any Alexa-enabled device and music will begin playing in the kitchen.

more...

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Interesting. Do you have your Dot(s) paired with BT speakers?

Yes, the one in my bedroom. It used to be connected to an office sized stereo and when it had problems I switched to a Bluetooth speaker. I have one on the patio and one in the kitties bedroom connected to office sized stereos. When they go I'll switch to Bluetooth speakers for them too. These used to be connected to a Roku Soundbridge and as the Soundbridges started dying they were switched to Dots as well.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

...
the kitties bedroom
...

Your kitties have their own bedroom? Wow, don't let my kitties know that!

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by wodin

Your kitties have their own bedroom? Wow, don't let my kitties know that!

Of course they have their own bedroom. Why wouldn't they?

You didn't question them having a Dot and stereo in their bedroom, so I guess you think that's ok?

It's where they get locked up when the cleaning service comes, vacuum cleaners are scary. They also go there if a delivery or anything would need the door left open.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

Of course they have their own bedroom. Why wouldn't they?

You didn't question them having a Dot and stereo in their bedroom, so I guess you think that's ok?

It's where they get locked up when the cleaning service comes, vacuum cleaners are scary. They also go there if a delivery or anything would need the door left open.

Just out of curiosity, is that room used for anything else the rest of the time?

Not judging,
ApK

p.s. The Dot makes perfect sense, except...which wake word are the kitties able to use? Did they add "mrow" or "Prrr" to the list?

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by ApK

Just out of curiosity, is that room used for anything else the rest of the time?

Not judging,
ApK

p.s. The Dot makes perfect sense, except...which wake word are the kitties able to use? Did they add "mrow" or "Prrr" to the list?

The room isn't used for anything else. It's just me, hubby, and two kitties. They have a king size bed too! They aren't allowed in our bedroom though, and have to stay on the first floor or basement at night. Just put up a gate and they don't come up.

I'm still working on the kitty alexa trick. For now I just put on the Metal Plague station on Tunein for them.

[booklover6]

My birds have their own room, too, and stereo. I do have a dot nearby but I only put it in there occasionally.