Amazon Echo Club

[OtinG]

Well I succumbed to temptation and got an Echo Plus 2nd gen delivered yesterday. Over the years I've had the Amazon Tap, Dot 2nd gen, Dot 3rd gen, Echo 1st gen, and the Echo 2nd gen. The Echo 2nd gen turned out to be a big disappointment as I bought it right when it was first released. Amazon quickly released a FW update that was supposed to improve/correct the audio, but it still didn't really make it any better than the 1st gen. So I returned it after a week. Amazon later released some more updates for it that many said really greatly improved its audio, but I had already given up on it. The Dots are not meant to compete against the Echo and Echo Plus in audio, so they are good for what they do. I must say the Dot 3rd gen is a big improvement over the 2nd gen though.

Mini Review of Echo Plus 2nd Generation

Audio Quality Greatly Improved

The Echo Plus 2nd gen is also a big improvement over the Echo 1st gen and 2nd gen audio. (I don't have an Echo Plus 1st gen to compare it too.) I think they finally got it right for a device that is small and doesn't have true stereo capability because it only has one set of speakers rather than two. But they did a good job of providing richer, deeper sound without the tinny sound of the earlier models. The Echo Plus 2nd gen also outperforms the Amazon Tap, now officially discontinued, which did have true stereo with two sets of speakers. But a small device with true stereo still doesn't have the audio quality of a larger device due to lack of separation between the speakers as well as the small speakers they have to use. Over all I'm very pleased with the Echo Plus 2nd gen audio capability considering it is still a small device with relatively small speakers. I think it is more than adequate to rock a room for one person or two, but don't expect it to rock your whole house for a party.

Has Built-in Hub, but I haven't Tested It

It of course comes with a built-in hub but the few smart home devices I will control with it already have their own built-in hubs, so I won't be using this feature much if any. I still need the other Echos to be able to control all of my smart home devices, so I will continue to only add those which have their own hubs.

Built-in Temperature Sensor Works, but Seems a bit Inaccurate

Another cool feature the Echo Plus 2nd gen comes with is a built in temperature sensor. In theory you can set up a group, include the temperature sensor in that group, then ask, "Alexa, what is the temperature of [YOUR GROUP]." Yes it works, but it was non-intuitive to set up due to incorrect and/or confusing instructions posted at Amazon support. I got it set up, but you have to figure out how on your own. BTW, the latest Alexa app is the craziest and most difficult POS to navigate, and that makes set up even more annoying. I said it works, but I don't think it is very accurate. It seems to register temps about 4° to 5° F below what two other thermometers I have show. Is this an issue? For me no, but in theory this temp sensor could be used with Alexa controlled thermostats to auto adjust your HVAC, and I think that 4° to 5° F of inaccuracy is an issue in that case. I suspect this issue can be resolved in FW updates, so hopefully they will get it to register more accurately. BTW, I placed the Echo Plus 2nd gen away from windows, HVAC vents, and fans, and I made sure no cats were curled up around it!

Alexa Seems Less Prone to Start Talking during TV Commercials

I've only tested the Echo Plus 2nd gen over the course of one evening while watching TV. There were a few Amazon Alexa commercials where "Alexa" is spoken, and the Echo Plus 2nd gen did perk up and turn on the blue ring, but not once did she go into her yapping mode nor try to complete the task asked of her within the TV commercial. Surprisingly, she remained silent and apparently ignored the commercials. So that is a nice improvement. Perhaps they have figured out how to better identify and filter out TV voices from human-in-the-room voices.

Opinion

The Echo Plus 2nd gen is a keeper! I only paid $109.99 USD for it with the Black Friday/Monday sale. I think the $149.99 regular price might be too steep though unless you use the smart home hub feature, but at the discounted price it was a good deal for me.

[OtinG]

BTW, I really like the rounded edges and fabric design of the new Dot 3rd gen and Echo Plus 2nd gen. It makes them look more like speakers and less like an ill thought out industrial design using plastic and metal. I must admit that I worried about fabric when I got my Taps, but even with two cats I rarely even see a single cat hair on either of them. And bare in mind it is not unusual in my house to see a large clump of cat hair roll by as though it was a miniature tumble weed!

[tubemonkey]

“Alexa, Donate to Toys for Tots”

Amazon celebrates Giving Tuesday by launching an easy way for customers to donate a toy to a child in need this holiday with Alexa and Toys for Tots

Amazon is Matching Donations from Customers Toy for Toy

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2018-- (NASDAQ: AMZN)—Today, Amazon celebrates Giving Tuesday by launching an easy way for customers to donate a toy to a child in need this holiday via Alexa and Toys for Tots. Customers simply say, “Alexa, donate to Toys for Tots,” and they will be presented with a reasonably priced item appropriate for kids across a broad range of ages directly from the Toys for Tots Charity List. After the customer confirms the order, Amazon ships it directly to Toys for Tots, creating a seamless path for easy holiday giving. Customers will be able to donate through the end of the year and Amazon is matching donations toy for toy.For more information, please visit www.amazon.com/alexatoysfortots.

more...

[tubemonkey]

5 Things You Should Know About The 3rd Generation Amazon Echo Dot: Review And Setup Guide

I like this guy's style for reviews. He's quite funny.

Published on Nov 24, 2018

This video compares the Amazon Echo dot sound quality between the 2nd Generation and 3rd generation Amazon Echo Dots. I have compared the Speakers, The Microphones, The CPU's and the overall look and feel to bring you the ultimate Echo dot speaker Review for the Echo Dot 3. Amazon Echo 2nd Generation versus 3rd Generation , who will win??

Also in this video: A setup guide and tutorial for the Amazon Echo dot 3rd Generation including a walkthrough of the alexa app for Android / iOS.

This review / tutorial is in typical Paul Hibbert style so you might want to mute your Alexa and Google Home devices.

[tubemonkey]

Amazon’s biggest-selling item on Cyber Monday? Take a guess

Pick up any good bargains on Cyber Monday? Amazon has just announced it as the single biggest shopping day (in terms of number of items sold) in the company’s history, with millions of people hitting its site to make the most of the day’s discounts and offers.

In the U.S., the best-selling item at Amazon.com on Monday was the all-new Echo Dot smart speaker, with “millions” sold, though Amazon declined to offer a specific figure. Other top sellers included Bose QC 25 noise cancelling headphones, the multi-use Instant Pot Duo, Michelle Obama’s Becoming autobiography, and the Jenga game.

Across the five days from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, Amazon said customers ordered a staggering 180 million items via its U.S. site alone.

Globally, customers ordered more than 18 million toys and more than 13 million fashion items on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, the company said. The Echo Dot speaker was a big hit around the world, too, becoming the biggest-selling product on Amazon globally, from any manufacturer, in any category.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

5 Things You Should Know About The 3rd Generation Amazon Echo Dot: Review And Setup Guide

I like this guy's style for reviews. He's quite funny.

He calls the barrel plug "proprietary." Is it really some Amazon-only size, or is it just one of the standard sizes of commonly-available power connectors, like those that come with most cheap universal wall warts?

I could answer my own question shortly, as my $24 Dot 3 (plus $5 smart switch....I just cant seem to resist those offers) will be here soon....

I also wonder about his "if you were a first time user, you wouldn't know what to do at this point" comment.

If you were a first time user, you probably wouldn't want to disregard the instructions sheet that came with it, like he did.....

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by ApK

He calls the barrel plug "proprietary." Is it really some Amazon-only size, or is it just one of the standard sizes of commonly-available power connectors, like those that come with most cheap universal wall warts?

I could answer my own question shortly, as my $24 Dot 3 (plus $5 smart switch....I just cant seem to resist those offers) will be here soon....

I also wonder about his "if you were a first time user, you wouldn't know what to do at this point" comment.

If you were a first time user, you probably wouldn't want to disregard the instructions sheet that came with it, like he did.....

I looked at mine and it seems to be a standard wall-wart type plug. I don't have a way to measure it though, but you can probably look it up in the specs. It would be out of character for Amazon to waste time, effort, and money to develop a proprietary one. Apple would, but Apple overcharges for everything so they can pay for that bit of annoyance. This guy probably just doesn't know his backside from a hole in the ground. Every device that is powered with a wall-wart typically states in their instructions to use only their wall-wart, but since they are standard you can substitute another one as long as you match up the Volts/Amps. It is just a marketing ploy to get you to order an overpriced, replacement wall-wart rather than use one from another device that you might have lying around.

As far that review, it sucked. I couldn't get past the first 10 seconds though. I cannot stand reviewers who think they are funny and act like a moron, which he does.

As far the Dot 3rd gen, she is a keeper for sure. They really did improve her audio quite a bit as well as improve her looks. It took Amazon several generations to produce audio on the Echos that isn't horribly tinny. They finally got it right with the Dot 3rd gen and the Echo Plus 2nd gen.

[cc_in_oh]

Well my Tap charging base is proprietary too so hopefully the Dot3 won't bother me. If I ever receive my Dot3 - it's day 6 and still counting...

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by cc_in_oh

Well my Tap charging base is proprietary too so hopefully the Dot3 won't bother me. If I ever receive my Dot3 - it's day 6 and still counting...

The charging base is proprietary just like the Tap itself, but that is not the charging cable nor the power source per se. The actual charging cable that plugs into the charging base is a standard USB to USB micro cable and the wall-wart that provides power is a standard AC/USB one similar to almost all smartphones and tablets these days. Virtually any wall-wart with AC/USB will work as long as the Volts and Amps match up. As far as that goes, you could plug the charging cable into a computer or anything else that provides enough power out and it would work with your Tap. I know as I have two Taps, both of which or now boxed up. I'll probably be trying to find them new homes soon, along with my original Echo 1st gen.

BTW, I ordered an item late last week and it got delayed two days due to the winter storms in the middle of the country. That is to be expected in winter.

[applesauce]

I have MS and am looking for one that can do these things. I have no idea if amazon or google can do all this, or which is better at it.

A shopping list I can add and remove items to then ask it to print to our printer A diary I can make notes to, and again be able to print.
A to do list that I can set multiple reminders to ie 6pm Tuesday put the bins out ie 6pm you have a doctors appointment at 1pm tommorrow, a reminder at 9am on the day of the doctors appointment then again at noon of the doctors appointment.
Basically multiple reminders a count down reminder ie cooking It would be amazing to ask for a word definition ask the time/weather

thank you for any help

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by applesauce

I have MS and am looking for one that can do these things. I have no idea if amazon or google can do all this, or which is better at it.

A shopping list I can add and remove items to then ask it to print to our printer A diary I can make notes to, and again be able to print.
A to do list that I can set multiple reminders to ie 6pm Tuesday put the bins out ie 6pm you have a doctors appointment at 1pm tommorrow, a reminder at 9am on the day of the doctors appointment then again at noon of the doctors appointment.
Basically multiple reminders a count down reminder ie cooking It would be amazing to ask for a word definition ask the time/weather

thank you for any help

Echos can definitely do lists and reminders, but I don’t know about sending them to a printer. I’ve never heard or read anything about having Alexa print lists or reminders. If they can, I suspect it will be kluge to say the least. I wonder if a smartphone with Android or an iPhone might be a better option. An iPhone could probably do all that via Siri, and an Android likewise with its voice assistant. Not sure if they can send the lists and reminders to a printer, but I suspect they can with the right app. I hope you can find something that will work for you.

[wodin]

If you ask Alexa what's on your shopping list she will read the list and send you an email listing, which you can then print out.

[ApK]

Printing screen shots of the lists would presumably work as well.

BTW, I must have not noticed when I ordered, but my Dot 3 is slated for delivery next week.

My Amazon smart plug arrived yesterday.
The pros: Small, amazingly easy to set up.
cons: DOESN'T SHARE AMONG household members!! So unlike EVERY OTHER brand of smart device I use with Alexa, Amazon's own can't be seen by both my profile and my wife's at the same time. It's useless for us. I was going to return it, even though I only paid $5, but the Amazon CSR gave me $5 promo credit and suggested I just keep it in case they update it later. Fair enough.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ApK

BTW, I must have not noticed when I ordered, but my Dot 3 is slated for delivery next week.

My Dots are still backordered at Target. I have no idea when my order will get filled.

[OtinG]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

My Dots are still backordered at Target. I have no idea when my order will get filled.

Not sure where I read it, maybe in this forum, but I read that the Echo Dot 3rd gen is the top selling of all the Amazon devices this holiday season. So maybe they underestimated the demand. When I was browsing last week to get the Echo Plus 2nd gen, I happened to notice that the Echo Show 2nd gen was saying they expected them back in stock on Dec 5, so those were in short supply too.