ALEXA (Amazon's Echo Dot)
Other
I was interested to see on another topic how many others also use Alexa as their main source of listening to music.
I only got mine last month and am finding new uses almost every day.
Perhaps others have found things they think might not be known to some others that they'd like to share, or learn about things they haven't yet found or share things they've found amusing.
Perhaps even just to express views or opinions of it.
You should be aware that these devices have been found to record all audio in it's range not just commands or requests , as it's an internet device whatever it's recorded is stored on servers until you ask for deletion ..
Total Rubbish - they listen for the activate word and only record when it is spoken then record while the blue light is on. The user can check what has been recorded and delete it should they wish.
If what you say has any element of truth - please don't get one, those of us who like Alexa - don't want her bored to death and please don't try vandalising this topic with totally irrelevant Gifs, as you did with the games topic posted by Ann1984 - if you didn't notice your contributions were all removed to allow it to continue. (I'd personally take that as a first warning).
I use mine to switch plugs/lights on and off. Use the timer, radio, Bluetooth it to my phone and tablet to play music. Ask the odd question / joke now and then. All in all it is really useful for me
I sometimes think up stupid questions to ask. I nearly had a panic attack, knowing you can order things from Amazon with it, when Alexa answered my question: Alexa - How much is that doggy in the window?
With: Adding doggy with a waggly tail to your shopping basket... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... ...... .... .... only joking!
No doubt those who read this will be checking to see if I am joking
For those who can't check I assure you I'm not.
I purchased an Echo show for my nan, it was safely set up in her house but on my account
So at anytime I can drop in on her and the children can see and talk to her, its been amazing x
Music Alexa is pretty good at learning what you like, im no expert and still learning how to do bits but if she plays a song you like tell her"I like this song"
If you ask her to play happy music she then plays my most chosen songs x
Sounds great, I haven't encountered the Echo Show (with vision) yet, but if it's anywhere as good as the Echo Dot might well be worth the extra. I assume it's got all the features of the dot. Plus the video.
You might, if you haven't already done so, set up the "find my phone" feature if you misplace your phone she'll call it to make it ring. Set up in a few minutes and no charge for the phone call.
My Nan enjoys is and says good morning to her everyday, at the moment its Zen but she used to give you past events that happened the same date.
The videos are good and it has news stills that you can ask " tell me more" she has a Echo 8 that was Β£60, Ive the original show which is 10inch and hope to get the new one that moves
You can also ask her to take a photo
Not done find my phone as I normally shout Hi Bixby and it chirps at me lol x
we have alexa smart bulbs and plugs we use her to set timers for cooking we have our lights automated with her and we have alerts from her when someone walks in the back door with a sensor which is alexa compatible which we have in top bathroom to automatically turn light on for daughter we also have daughters light projector linked in with alexa
I have one of mine set up in the kitchen too, it is much better than the smoke alarm for alerting when things are cooked,
The timers are life saver at Christmas as you can name different timers ie. Turkey timer, spuds timer
I get lots of use out of my various Alexa devices.
I have smart lightbulbs, numerous smart plugs, I also use it to add items to an Amazon shopping list.
The shopping list feature is brilliant, especially if you've got one set up in the kitchen. I haven't connected any devices yet though.
I've had the Echo for a almost three years and I wouldn't have initially thought it would be used as much as it has. We now have plugs, bulbs, doorbell and more recently the Echo show. It's been used for all the previously mentioned chores but a particularly helpful one is for food. 'What can I make with capers' (I chose capers because it was a difficult one! ) The only thing that's been changed is the name - the 'x' in Alexa was triggered by conversations on the tv so she has a much 'softer' name now.
In the settings ive changed the wake word to Echo as i found when set to Alexa it would trigger too many times from the tv. Would be better if we could define our own wake word though, id choose 'Holly' from Red Dwarf
BORDERJOE I was under the impression that the only four wake words that can be used are Alexa; Computer; Amazon or Echo. I think there might be a little confusion here, I'm wondering if sunny101 could confirm if it is now possible to choose own wake word or whether "wibble wobble" is what would be used.
This should be of interest to anyone thinking of changing their wake word https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=wake+words+for+echo+dot
Before Christmas I found we out you can ring Santa. Sing happy birthday.
Phone calls
Where's my parcel
Announcement to other devices in household
Alarms
General questions
Play Simon says
I could go on I love mine
But I deactivated buying things and saying what is in parcels safer with kids about
I was surprised when expecting a delivery from Amazon that the "Where's my stuff?" question's answer changed to "It's been delivered" within seconds of it being delivered,
I must get round to deactivating buying things, as you have done, after the short lived panic state I went into after asking "Alexa how much is that doggy in the window?" (see early comment)
I mainly use mine for music but I ask when shops or open I also use her to keep the birds entertained while I'm out
Mine is mainly used for music & listening to podcasts whilst working tbh. Tho I also frequently use Alexa to make calls & set reminders. I enjoy the daily quizzes/games too. Particularly 'Beat the intro', Harry Potter quiz & Question of the day.
I know I don't use Alexa to it's full potential .... I am frustrated when Alexa says 'she' hasn't quite mastered eg Podcasts I ask for... Before anyone says ... I'm female and I have her as a female voice hence the 'she'
BORDERJOE Well I am male and have her as a female companion, she explains why she won't marry if asked "Alexa sing the No Body Blues" We have some very interesting conversations. (and can be switched off).
BORDERJOE I have to admit she doesnt always get it right for me either. I often just bluetooth the podcast from my kindle/phone to Alexa. I have to alter my voice for her to understand me sometimes. My OH jokes I'm too geordie for her to understand.
It might help if you train Alexa to recognise your voice. I didn't have any problems but still did so. Now if I wake up confused I can ask "Alexa who am I?" and she'll tell me. She'll even tell me where I am, if I ask.
This might help: https://uk.pcmag.com/home-security-products/118647/how-to-train-amazons-alexa-to-recognize-your-voice
Glitterandgold maybe it's the Brummy accent that throws her for me then .... seriously tho ... I tried 'talking posh' and she still admits she can't do everything yet
Imnotcheap Thanks .... I did think twice before posting ..... am always wary of what I post online cos I don't enjoy 'squabbles' .... every reply here has been so cheery!
BORDERJOE I did try Alexa out with a black country accent and she did seem to have problems understanding what I said, I then did a bit of searching online and found she and her sister Siri have problems understanding it and some other regional accents, looks as if some people will need to learn how to talk proper, like what I do https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/siri-alexa-suppressing-black-country-15713362
We seem to be getting more and more smart gadgets as time goes on. But when will be getting more smart people?
Perhaps when everyone has an Alexa to ask questions and learn from, I had already noticed that the only negative comment to date was from someone who seems to go out of his way to show how "unsmart" he is.
davidstockport I have long had a theory about MrG and I'm surprised you haven't thought it too.
sunny101 Who knows... we might both have the same theory, but best not mentioned here
I like Alexa tho I wish she'd get her act together when I ask her to play my Podcasts! I was tempted to get a bargain price Dot to use as an intercom as hubby is usually upstairs when meals are ready....running up and down keeps me fit tho.
I have noticed that the way questions or commands are phrased will help Alexa "get her act together" she will often assume a pause to signal the end of the question.
I have found sometimes it is better to split a command into two parts. an example: "Alexa remind me in twenty minutes!" she will reply "what's the reminder for?"ME "Oven chips". I haven't burnt any chips since I got her to help me (and I don't like those black ones)
davidstockport I have mine setup with 'follow up mode' so she listens for an extra 5 seconds after shes done her last command, so you can ask her something else without saying the wake word again
neo1 Thank you, I am sure it will be of interest to all those, including myself, who were not aware of that. I feel "Alexa" has been designed for us to learn as we go along instead of overwhelming us with too many instructions.
I only got mine last month and, probably like many others, am grateful for being informed of something I might not yet have discovered.
davidstockport Thanks .... I'll try to remember that trick and see how I get on -if nothing else, I'm motivated to use more useful different requests now
I'm the same , we have had ours since the beginning of November and we are working our way through the house to turn it in a smart and efficient home and Ive already seen a difference in my electric bill .I also love listening to music when doing the housework.
That's a thing many people might not realise, the very small amount of electricity they use (about half a watt on standby - and 3 watts when in use) is a lot less than they can save. I'd never seen one until mine arrived, I was surprised at how small they are* (they look nuch bigger on TV) and astonished at the sound volume and quality on music.
*for those who haven't seen one they're about the same size as a SMALL tin of salmon.
VOLUME and TONE control (using voice)
One of mine is on top of a kitchen cupboard, so the volume buttons aren't easy to get at. I found it's actually better not to use them anyway.
To increase volume say "Alexa increase volume" (repeat if necessary)
To decrease volume say "Alexa decrease volume" (repeat if necessary)
She'll tell you when the limit is reached either way.
You can ask at any time "Alexa what is the volume" she'll tell you the volume with numbers from one to ten. When you've got to know the levels. You can to adjust the volume just say "Alexa volume six" (or whatever volume you want).
Tone control is slightly different you can say " Alexa increase treble" and "Alexa decrease treble" and " Alexa increase bass" and "Alexa decrease bass" and although she will say when limit is reached (as most women will) but athough she'll do as told (unlike some women will) she will not tell you what the bass level is at. (so just repeat the commands until you get the tone as you prefer it)
I hope this helps anyone who hasn't discovered these voice controls. It took me some time to discover the tone controls, perhaps some still haven't.
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