Amazon Echo Club

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I can't see the Allrecipes skill. Lots of articles about it being available for the Echo now, but it isn't as far as I can see.

I wonder if it's a US only thing

I've read that they launched it and it had some kind of bug so it was pulled. It's supposed to be back, but maybe they haven't re-added it to the UK site yet?

Here's the All Recipes page about it...
http://dish.allrecipes.com/alexa/

[tubemonkey]

Amazon Said to Plan Premium Alexa Speaker With Large Screen

Echo 2 just around the corner...

Company may release higher-end device early next year

New speaker targets kitchens; to cost more than Echo gadgets

Amazon.com Inc. is developing a premium Echo-like speaker with a screen, a sign the world’s largest online retailer is trying to capitalize on the surprise success of its voice-controlled home gadgets and fend off competition from Google and Apple Inc.

The new device will have a touchscreen measuring about seven inches, a major departure from Amazon’s existing cylindrical home devices that are controlled and respond mostly through the company’s voice-based Alexa digital assistant, according to two people familiar with the matter. This will make it easier to access content such as weather forecasts, calendar appointments, and news, the people said. They asked not to be identified speaking about a product that has yet to be announced.

The latest Amazon speaker will be larger and tilt upwards so the screen can be seen when it sits on a counter and the user is standing, one of the people said.

High-grade speakers will make the gadget sound much better than current Echo devices, this person also said. Amazon’s new device is scheduled to be announced as soon as the first quarter of 2017, this person added. Amazon, based in Seattle, Washington, declined to comment.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Amazon Said to Plan Premium Alexa Speaker With Large Screen

Echo 2 just around the corner...

That sounds a lot like Alexa on my FireTV and TV. Running Alexa that way gives you visual as well as sound. One thing I especially like about that set up is the lyrics are displayed while the song is playing. Kind of cool to finally see the correct lyrics for songs I've been listening to for 50 years!

As far the multiple hubs, I did located a support article on the Logitech site. The article stated that multiple Harmony hubs cannot be used with Alexa, and that even though there are 3rd party solutions available, they won't allow for all functionality. The Logitech work around was to deactivate hubs and activate the one you want to use that moment. Seems rather kluge to me!

Hubs are required because the Alexa devices don't have the built in radios to talk directly to most devices. Some like the TP-Link bulbs and sockets have built the capability directly into their devices at the cost of bulky devices, but most devices still require hubs. As a radio person I know that too many signals can cause many issues, so I can envision scenarios wherein multiple hubs transmitting to multiple devices could blow Alexa's little mind and cause all kinds of bad device control behavior/issues.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by jswinden

. As a radio person I know that too many signals can cause many issues, so I can envision scenarios wherein multiple hubs transmitting to multiple devices could blow Alexa's little mind and cause all kinds of bad device control behavior/issues.

But even so, 10 devices on Wink hub, vs 5 on a Wink hub and 5 on a SmartThings hub, or 5 hubs with 2 devices vs ten directly-controlled wifi devices, wouldn't be much of a difference in terms of interference.

If it does turn out multiple (different) hubs won't work (and I'm betting they will work) it won't be because of interference concerns. It'll be because of a marketing agreement, or underdeveloped software or something like that.

[wodin]

I've been watching this tenancy to avoid the use of a hub to control smart devices, and frankly don't understand it.

I use a SmartThings hub by Samsung to control eleven (and counting) GE Link light bulbs and Zwave light switches throughout my home. The hub cost $100 and each light bulb costs $15. The alternative would be to use TP-link bulbs/switches without a hub at $50 each. That means the break even point would be three light bulbs and I'd lose the versatility of the SmartThings hub to control a plethora of other devices.

Samsung is not the only company that makes very versatile hubs, the Wink hub can be had for $50 and the Phillips Hue has the ability to multiple scenes with many colors.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by jswinden

That sounds a lot like Alexa on my FireTV and TV. Running Alexa that way gives you visual as well as sound. One thing I especially like about that set up is the lyrics are displayed while the song is playing. Kind of cool to finally see the correct lyrics for songs I've been listening to for 50 years!

Kitchen -- I can definitely see possibilities for this as a kitchen device - angled display, one-handed operation, recipes, videos, music, etc.

Bedroom -- not sure how well it would play out as a bedside device. Just how visible would the display be while lying in bed?

Living room -- I fail to see any practical use for it here.

Desk -- definite possibilities for it here as a personal assistant, music player, audio player, video player, etc. It's always within hand reach.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Kind of cool to finally see the correct lyrics for songs I've been listening to for 50 years!

Scuse me, while I kiss this guy

Originally Posted by wodin

I've been watching this tenancy to avoid the use of a hub to control smart devices, and frankly don't understand it.

I use a SmartThings hub by Samsung to control eleven (and counting) GE Link light bulbs and Zwave light switches throughout my home. The hub cost $100 and each light bulb costs $15. The alternative would be to use TP-link bulbs/switches without a hub at $50 each. That means the break even point would be three light bulbs and I'd lose the versatility of the SmartThings hub to control a plethora of other devices.

Samsung is not the only company that makes very versatile hubs, the Wink hub can be had for $50 and the Phillips Hue has the ability to multiple scenes with many colors.

You have to look for deals and pay attention to the search results. I see TP-Link bulbs go fro $20 to over $50. There are a lot of shiesty sellers who mark them way up, but typically you can get the 50W dimmable bulb for $20 from Amazon itself (Amazon is the seller). The $50 bulb is the multicolored one. Check out this page. So at $20/bulb and 11 bulbs that is $220 for TP-Link bulbs. At $100 for hub and $15/bulb then 11 bulbs cost $265. That is definitely not a savings.

If multiple hubs work, then using hubs is no big deal. But if multiple hubs don't work without kluge workarounds I would say choose your one hub wisely.

Amazon provides the development kit for 3rd party companies to connect their hubs and devices with Alexa. If they code it correctly then great, but if they don't then expect issues. I'm still having Alexa control issues with my TP-Link bulb and scenes. Alexa cannot discover the scenes created within the TP-Link app. The scenes work well with the TP-Link app. Still cannot get either company to say which is at fault. They both seem to be clueless.

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Kitchen -- I can definitely see possibilities for this as a kitchen device - angled display, one-handed operation, recipes, videos, music, etc.

Bedroom -- not sure how well it would play out as a bedside device. Just how visible would the display be while lying in bed?

Living room -- I fail to see any practical use for it here.

Desk -- definite possibilities for it here as a personal assistant, music player, audio player, video player, etc. It's always within hand reach.

Yep, kitchen and desk seem like the best locations for this new device. Bedroom probably not so much. Living room not so much either because you can hook up the FireTV to your TV and get pretty much the same solution but without touchscreen of course.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Kitchen -- I can definitely see possibilities for this as a kitchen device - angled display, one-handed operation, recipes, videos, music, etc.

Bedroom -- not sure how well it would play out as a bedside device. Just how visible would the display be while lying in bed?

Living room -- I fail to see any practical use for it here.

Desk -- definite possibilities for it here as a personal assistant, music player, audio player, video player, etc. It's always within hand reach.

When I use Alexa on my Fire tablet, I can see the recipes; I don't have to rely on just the audio. Not sure I see the point of a more expensive device with a screen.

[ApK]

As a technologist-of-a-certain-age I find the resurgence of purpose-built consumer information appliances interesting. The wheel keeps turning.

What's next, a return to terminals? ... oh wait.....

"Cloud computing? Sonny, in my day, we called it 'time-sharing'...."

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Catlady

When I use Alexa on my Fire tablet, I can see the recipes; I don't have to rely on just the audio. Not sure I see the point of a more expensive device with a screen.

Better speakers, sturdy base, angled display, easy one-handed operation. Whether it's worth the premium price would be up to the user.

Edit: always on voice commands.

Originally Posted by Catlady

When I use Alexa on my Fire tablet, I can see the recipes; I don't have to rely on just the audio. Not sure I see the point of a more expensive device with a screen.

Agree to a point. However it sounds like this new device will have built in speakers that will be even better than the Echo, so I doubt your Fire can compare with that. My Fire HD 6 is pretty lame in the sound category. Also, a question, does the Alexa on your Fire automatically recognize your questions (voice activation) or do you have to press a button or touch the screen to activate her? With my FireTV and the Tap you have to press a button, but I bet this new device is like the Echo and Dot and is always listening. No big deal on either of these things to me, but some people might find better speakers and voice activation a plus.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Agree to a point. However it sounds like this new device will have built in speakers that will be even better than the Echo, so I doubt your Fire can compare with that. My Fire HD 6 is pretty lame in the sound category. Also, a question, does the Alexa on your Fire automatically recognize your questions (voice activation) or do you have to press a button or touch the screen to activate her? With my FireTV and the Tap you have to press a button, but I bet this new device is like the Echo and Dot and is always listening. No big deal on either of these things to me, but some people might find better speakers and voice activation a plus.

I forgot about the always on aspect. I'll edit my post.