Alexa goes Mobile - Page 4

HarryT · 03-09-2016, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

No way....not that I get texts in the middle of the night, but I could. Or app notifications. That's not something I want to hear when I'm asleep LOL

The iPhone has a "do not disturb" feature that you can switch on, which will disable calls, notifications, etc, but still allow alarms. I believe Android offers a similar capability. Switch it on when you go to bed. I've used my phone as an alarm clock for years.

wodin · 03-09-2016, 11:50 AM

It's called "Airplane Mode"; turns off all the radios.

HarryT · 03-09-2016, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

It's called "Airplane Mode"; turns off all the radios.

There may be other things you want to happen on your device for which wireless comms are required, though.

Tarana · 03-09-2016, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I tried it and didn't like the results. I'll give it another shot sometime soon.

Note: Unless you have vision or mobility issues, you probably don't care about this answer.

The text-to-speech is not as good as one of the recent Inova voices (I use those on my Fire). But just like listening to audiobooks, it's just a skill. Think of it as an accent and pretty soon you are listening away. TTS does depend a little on what type of books you listen to. Murder mysteries and cozies, YES, Fantasy, not so much (all those made up words). Science fiction is a toss of the coin - works well on some but not others. The TTS for Echo only works for stuff bought (or free) from Amazon. The TTS on the Fire is not, so in those cases, I just link to Echo via bluetooth. My Nook HD+ also links to the Echo and I can then use TTS from MoonReader.

I found for some people, they need to listen to a whole audiobook before they learn how to listen. I should think it is similar to TTS, so do give it a shot again.

Dazrin · 03-09-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The iPhone has a "do not disturb" feature that you can switch on, which will disable calls, notifications, etc, but still allow alarms. I believe Android offers a similar capability. Switch it on when you go to bed. I've used my phone as an alarm clock for years.

Android has "downtime" which can be scheduled and you can set who gets through the do not disturb and what types of things from them that get through, so that emergency calls from your parents or kids can get through in the middle of the night but emails from your insomniac relative don't. I wish the basic configuration allowed for more flexibility like different times on different days of the week but it works ok. (HTC used to have that but when they upgraded to the latest Android they just used the stock downtime app instead of their in-house one which was better.)

Tarana · 03-09-2016, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booklover6

Too messy!

I think I'll just put Alexa in my bedroom and use her as my alarm.

I have a jungle chicken (see my avatar) that makes all kinds of noises, but she doesn't adhere to a schedule, or follow orders.

Like Harry, I use my Itouch for my alarm clock. It's easy and brainless to set. Loud enough to scare people upstairs and I get to hear crickets on my way to sleep. Just remember that with the Echo/Dot, you need to set that alarm DAILY. Great for me who only needs to be awakened maybe 6 times a year, but bad for a daily commuter who might forget to set it. My Itouch alarm clock can be set for Mon-Friday with either none or a different time on the weekend.

In my case though, I have not been allowed to sleep as late as I want in decades - I have cats wanting to be fed and they don't hold back.

Atunah · 03-09-2016, 01:49 PM

I prefer being able to talk to the alarm. With my eyes, its really difficult to fiddle to find the phone, trying to figure out how to turn the alarm off without being able to see anything.

Its s convenience.

ApK · 03-09-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

It's called "Airplane Mode"; turns off all the radios.

That's not related to "do not disturb."

Android has numerous ways to deal with the nighttime noise issues, which is both a blessing and a curse.

In additional to the various built-in features, which have differences based on the particular version of Android, there are various apps which can schedule and automate various settings including sounds and notifications and the like.

We use "AutomateIt" and have custom rules to control various volume elements at various times and based on various other triggers.
Possibly intimidating for some to set up, but once set, it's just kind of auto-magical.

Shane R · 03-10-2016, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

Just remember that with the Echo/Dot, you need to set that alarm DAILY.

That's...insane.

wodin · 03-10-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane R

That's...insane.

Yup, but I have to remember, Alexa is a work in progress and I'm sure that enough feedback would fix that. I mean, how hard would it be to insert a "reoccurring" algorithm in the alarm.

Atunah · 03-10-2016, 12:15 PM

Back when we lived in caves, I remember having to set my alarms every day.

Heck, my alarm/sunlight lamp I have to set with a switch at the very least each day if I use it. I don't anymore as I can't see in the morning and I can't find the darn switch to turn off the darn chirping birds.

In general my cat is my alarm, but he is getting old so not as reliable as he used to be. Plus when you get up at different times, you need to turn off the alarm quickly and not try to fumble in the dark with no sight or sense of direction.

So telling Alexa to wake me up at 7 in the morning each night isn't going to be a hardship. But then I only have had a smartphone for a lot shorter time than most it seems. A year and a half.

wodin · 03-10-2016, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atunah

Back when we lived in caves, I remember having to set my alarms every day.

And I remember having to wind up the clock every night because the electric service wasn't reliable and would often go off for a time causing an electric alarm clock to stop. After being late a few times for that my boss strongly recommended that I get a wind up clock or another job

.

Sure don't want to regress to those days!

fjtorres · 03-10-2016, 02:14 PM

Early verdict in:
http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-tap-a...ut-for-months/

Both Dot and Tap sold out til may, at least.
Also, Dot is much more popular/interesting than Tap.
(Predictably.)

tubemonkey · 03-10-2016, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Early verdict in:
http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-tap-a...ut-for-months/

Both Dot and Tap sold out til may, at least.
Also, Dot is much more popular/interesting than Tap.
(Predictably.)

I wonder when the Dot's limited quantities will be used up?

fjtorres · 03-25-2016, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

Yup, but I have to remember, Alexa is a work in progress and I'm sure that enough feedback would fix that. I mean, how hard would it be to insert a "reoccurring" algorithm in the alarm.

Hard or not, they did it:

http://www.aftvnews.com/

Recurring alarms are now a feature.

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03-09-2016, 11:50 AM	#47
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	It's called "Airplane Mode"; turns off all the radios.

03-09-2016, 01:49 PM	#52
Atunah Wizard Posts: 1,817 Karma: 23400001 Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA Device: K1/K3/BasicK Voyage/Oasis1/Oasis3	I prefer being able to talk to the alarm. With my eyes, its really difficult to fiddle to find the phone, trying to figure out how to turn the alarm off without being able to see anything. Its s convenience.

03-10-2016, 12:15 PM	#56
Atunah Wizard Posts: 1,817 Karma: 23400001 Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA Device: K1/K3/BasicK Voyage/Oasis1/Oasis3	Back when we lived in caves, I remember having to set my alarms every day. Heck, my alarm/sunlight lamp I have to set with a switch at the very least each day if I use it. I don't anymore as I can't see in the morning and I can't find the darn switch to turn off the darn chirping birds. In general my cat is my alarm, but he is getting old so not as reliable as he used to be. Plus when you get up at different times, you need to turn off the alarm quickly and not try to fumble in the dark with no sight or sense of direction. So telling Alexa to wake me up at 7 in the morning each night isn't going to be a hardship. But then I only have had a smartphone for a lot shorter time than most it seems. A year and a half.

03-10-2016, 02:14 PM	#58
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Early verdict in: http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-tap-a...ut-for-months/ Both Dot and Tap sold out til may, at least. Also, Dot is much more popular/interesting than Tap. (Predictably.)

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