1. Chat

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.

davidstockport
over a year ago
What do you think of this?+20 points
Advertisement
mrgoggll

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 .. Image

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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 deathπŸ˜€ 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).πŸ˜€

Like
Reply3
Ann1984

davidstockport

seen this sorry not got one to add comment

Image

Like
Reply2
neo1

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

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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 jokingπŸ˜€

For those who can't check I assure you I'm not.πŸ˜€

Like
Reply2
Gems

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

Like
Reply2
davidstockport

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.

Like
Reply1
Gems

davidstockport

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

Like
Reply1
DeniseThom95618

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

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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,πŸ˜€

Like
Reply1
Imnotcheap

The timers are life saver at Christmas as you can name different timers ie. Turkey timer, spuds timer

Like
Reply2
blacklabrador

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.

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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.

Like
Reply1
sunny101

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! πŸ˜„ ) 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.

Like
Reply
neo1

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 😁

Like
Reply3
sunny101

neo1 I'm embarrassed to tell you but our word is 'wibble wobble' from Blackadder. It means nobody else can guess or commandeer our unit. Never fails to make us smile.πŸ˜†

Like
Reply3
BORDERJOE

neo1 I like that trick and I agree it'd be great to be able to set our own wake word.

Like
Reply1
BORDERJOE

sunny101 so you have been able to change your wake word? I need to take another look ... thanks

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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

Like
Reply
Imnotcheap

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

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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)

Like
Reply
sophiemarie1306

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

Like
Reply1
Glitterandgold

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.

Like
Reply1
BORDERJOE

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' πŸ™ƒ

Like
Reply2
davidstockport

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.πŸ˜€ (and can be switched off).

Like
Reply1
Glitterandgold

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.πŸ˜‚

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

Glitterandgold

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.πŸ˜€

This might help: https://uk.pcmag.com/home-security-products/118647/how-to-train-amazons-alexa-to-recognize-your-voice

Like
Reply1
Imnotcheap

We referro ours as she BORDERJOE

Like
Reply1
BORDERJOE

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 πŸ₯΄

Like
Reply1
BORDERJOE

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!

Like
Reply
davidstockport

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 doπŸ˜€ https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/siri-alexa-suppressing-black-country-15713362

Like
Reply
RegularComper90

We seem to be getting more and more smart gadgets as time goes on. But when will be getting more smart people? πŸ˜€

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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.πŸ˜€

Like
Reply1
sunny101

davidstockport I have long had a theory about MrG and I'm surprised you haven't thought it too.πŸ˜‰

Like
Reply
davidstockport

sunny101 Who knows... we might both have the same theory, but best not mentioned hereπŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€

Like
Reply
BORDERJOE

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.πŸ˜† Image

Like
Reply
davidstockport

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 meπŸ˜€ (and I don't like those black ones)

Like
Reply1
neo1

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

Like
Reply1
davidstockport

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.

Like
Reply1
BORDERJOE

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

Like
Reply
BORDERJOE

neo1 Thanks - that's another good idea for me to try ...so much I haven't discovered.πŸ˜†

Like
Reply1
stuartsmith544

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.

Like
Reply
davidstockport

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.πŸ˜€

Like
Reply
davidstockport

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 willπŸ˜€) but athough she'll do as told (unlike some women willπŸ˜€) 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.

Like
Reply
One of the UK's largest deal hunting communities

Join for free to get genuine deals, money saving advice and help from our friendly community

Tom Church
Co-Founder &
Chief Bargain Hunter
Tom Church, Co-Founder
Want deals & discounts automatically?
+100 bonus points!
Latest Deals Browser Extension
Latest Deals Mobile App
  • Download our app
  • 1,000+ new deals every day
  • Earn free Amazon vouchers
  • Daily deal alerts - never miss the best offers!
  • Download the Latest Deals iOS AppDownload the Latest Deals Android App
Latest Deals
Disclaimer

The content on Latest Deals is a combination of information submitted by members of the public and the Latest Deals team. Whilst we make every effort to try and ensure genuine, accurate content we cannot guarantee it. Please always carry out your own due diligence and double check the details of an offer on the retailer's own website.

How this site works
  • To cover the site's running costs, Latest Deals uses affiliate links.
  • If you click on a link to an external website and make a purchase, Latest Deals may earn a commission.
  • We allow deals to be shared on Latest Deals irrelevant of whether or not they generate us money. Our #1 concern is helping you save money.
  • If you have any questions about how the site works, drop us a message. We're always happy to help.
Copyright Β© 2024 Latest Deals Limited
Registered in England and Wales. Company number 10286141. WeWork 6th Floor, International House, 1 St Katherine's Way, E1W 1UN
We value your privacy

We use cookies to help give you the best experience on our website with improved customisation, analytics & advertising (inc. personalisation). You can read our full cookie policy. Please either , or .