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Post by gale w on Oct 16, 2020 21:24:07 GMT
I finally decided to hook up my echo dot, mainly so I can get weather updates, play my spotify music and podcasts, and maybe play jeopardy or something. I just spent 20 minutes hollering Alexa, What's the Weather to my dot and nothing. I finally looked it up and I had it muted. I hate the word Alexa now. What do you use Alexa for? I need reasons to love this thing.  |
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Post by padresfan619 on Oct 16, 2020 21:27:20 GMT
I use it as a timer and as a list keeper mostly. I do like to play Jeopardy when I remember. I prefer to use it as a Bluetooth speaker with Spotify on my phone rather than speaking to it and asking it to play something.
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Post by magenta on Oct 16, 2020 21:43:30 GMT
She can play music if you have music unlimited or have amazon prime. She will talk to you. Seriously... I was bored and depressed and I said Alexa, will you talk to me, and started a mindless conversation. She will let you know when shipments have arrived. You can order stuff through her. She can play games, tell you the weather anywhere in the world. I get lazy and even ask her what time it is because I don't want to move my head to look at the clock. There are a bunch of apps you can play through her. You can ask her to tell you a joke, or a riddle, or a knock knock joke. I sometimes listen to a local radio station through her. Use her as a timer or an alarm. The Dot doesn't have the best speaker, but it'll do while you're learning to love her.
Enjoy!
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Post by Lexica on Oct 16, 2020 21:46:47 GMT
I use her as a timer more than anything. I have forgotten that I turned the pool water on to fill the pool up to the proper line so many times before Alexa. Now, I just have her set the timer when I turn it on and I haven't spilled water out into the gutter since she came to live with me. That right there is worth it for me. I also check the weather, play music, ask cooking questions and temperatures, and add things to my shopping lists. Oh, and I also have her turn on/off the lights in various rooms.
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Oct 16, 2020 22:09:38 GMT
All of the above, plus I have her connected to my phone so I just say call so and so and I can make calls thru her and use her like a speaker phone. I can also use her to drop in and listen to what's going on where she's at thru the Alexa app when I'm not at home. We actually have an Echo plus in the kitchen, my DD has an Echo, and we have a Dot in the bedroom. I mostly use the drop in feature when someone isn't picking up their phones, or to scare them!!😂
There is also a music quiz game for up to 4 players that we love playing! We get super competitive.
I like asking the weather forecast, measurements, the next full moon, all kinds of things. I've actually told my kids I wish I had an Alexa everywhere, in the car, at work, in the store... where I could just say something and have it answered! They said I'm getting lazy like the people in the movie Wally!! 😳😂
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Post by Fidget on Oct 16, 2020 22:24:16 GMT
This thread is perfect timing for me, I just bought my first echo dot during prime days and was wondering what I would do with it now that I have it. The first thing I did was to set a timer to remember to switch out the laundry. When the time went off I couldn't figure out what was going on. I kept looking at the echo dot thinking why is making that noise? Took a minute then I realized it was the timer HA! I'm still learning all of the things Alexa can help me with to make my life easier.
Thanks for all the tips!!
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,917 
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Oct 16, 2020 22:27:29 GMT
Try saying "Alexa you're fired" and see what she says. My kids think it's hilarious.
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Post by Katie on Oct 16, 2020 22:31:40 GMT
My most-used features are the timer and reminders. You can say ‘Alexa, set a reminder for 1pm tomorrow’. She will ask you what the reminder is and you just say some thing like ‘give the dog her medicine’. And if you go through the app, you can set a daily reminder, which is what I do. I use the reminder more than the timer, because I would tend to forget what the alarm is for. I like that she will tell me exactly what I need to be doing, lol!
Also, if you get a smart plug, you can use her to turn on lamps and best of all, your Christmas tree.
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Post by wallyagain on Oct 16, 2020 23:38:24 GMT
All of the above, plus I have her connected to my phone so I just say call so and so and I can make calls thru her and use her like a speaker phone. I can also use her to drop in and listen to what's going on where she's at thru the Alexa app when I'm not at home. We actually have an Echo plus in the kitchen, my DD has an Echo, and we have a Dot in the bedroom. I mostly use the drop in feature when someone isn't picking up their phones, or to scare them!!😂 There is also a music quiz game for up to 4 players that we love playing! We get super competitive. I like asking the weather forecast, measurements, the next full moon, all kinds of things. I've actually told my kids I wish I had an Alexa everywhere, in the car, at work, in the store... where I could just say something and have it answered! They said I'm getting lazy like the people in the movie Wally!! 😳😂 Can you share what the music quiz game you’re playing? There seems to quite a few. Thanks. This is totally something we would play. |
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Post by wallyagain on Oct 16, 2020 23:51:35 GMT
We have light bulbs, switches and plugs that we can turn on and off. Timers, lists, news, weather, music, radio. I’m disabled, and usually have my phone, but if I fell and couldn’t use my phone, I could make a call to emergency or to anyone.
We have one on the main floor, three upstairs and two downstairs. We have our outdoor Christmas light switch connected and usually a couple of plugs that I group and can say turn on Christmas and they all go on.
Love my echos, and I know there is so much more I could do.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 17, 2020 1:29:40 GMT
I LOVE my Dots! I have one in the kitchen to listen to music while I fix dinner. Usually I just say *Alexa, play oldies* or *60's music* or whatever I'm in the mood for. When we're trying to remember someone's age (well known person), I ask Alexa.
When DH is in his home office downstairs and I'm in my office/craft room upstairs all I have to say is *Alexa, drop in on DH* and it works like an intercom. We can also drop in on our son in the Bay Area.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 17, 2020 1:33:33 GMT
She can play music if you have music unlimited or have amazon prime. I have her play music all the time and I have neither of these things. Lots of free music! |
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Oct 17, 2020 1:46:34 GMT
I used my Echo Spot for all kinds of stuff like lists, Wyze cam, Amazon orders, music, weather, recipes, morning alarm etc. After a few weeks she started saying creepy shit. Then that bitch went straight back to Amazon.
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Post by danor98 on Oct 17, 2020 2:39:51 GMT
I used my Echo Spot for all kinds of stuff like lists, Wyze cam, Amazon orders, music, weather, recipes, morning alarm etc. After a few weeks she started saying creepy shit. Then that bitch went straight back to Amazon. I think this needs more explanation! I am on the fence about them and my husband wants them everywhere. |
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Oct 17, 2020 3:22:58 GMT
I used my Echo Spot for all kinds of stuff like lists, Wyze cam, Amazon orders, music, weather, recipes, morning alarm etc. After a few weeks she started saying creepy shit. Then that bitch went straight back to Amazon. I think this needs more explanation! I am on the fence about them and my husband wants them everywhere. Okay well the thing she finally said that sealed her fate was I was in my bedroom, she lived on my nightstand. I was standing in a spot folding clothes and my back was to the echo spot. I asked Alexa to put x and x on the Target list. And her response was “Okay blah blah blah”. I gave her another command asking for some info and she said “ but I’m right behind you”. It was probably a glitch or she misunderstood. But something about it creeped the shit out of me. It like like she used the camera to see where I was on her own. And I also decided having a two way camera in my room was spooky. So she went the hell back. And honestly I’m glad. I’ve seen too many videos now of indoor cameras getting hacked and people harassing the occupants. |
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Post by Scrapper100 on Oct 17, 2020 3:31:54 GMT
This is a great thread as I have one from last year that is still in the box. I really need to learn to use it.
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Post by danor98 on Oct 17, 2020 11:34:33 GMT
I think this needs more explanation! I am on the fence about them and my husband wants them everywhere. Okay well the thing she finally said that sealed her fate was I was in my bedroom, she lived on my nightstand. I was standing in a spot folding clothes and my back was to the echo spot. I asked Alexa to put x and x on the Target list. And her response was “Okay blah blah blah”. I gave her another command asking for some info and she said “ but I’m right behind you”. It was probably a glitch or she misunderstood. But something about it creeped the shit out of me. It like like she used the camera to see where I was on her own. And I also decided having a two way camera in my room was spooky. So she went the hell back. And honestly I’m glad. I’ve seen too many videos now of indoor cameras getting hacked and people harassing the occupants. Thanks! That is really creepy! Maybe I’ll allow one in the living room or kitchen, only! |
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Post by magenta on Oct 17, 2020 14:38:02 GMT
She can play music if you have music unlimited or have amazon prime. I have her play music all the time and I have neither of these things. Lots of free music! I had no idea. Sometimes when I request a song she’ll say, “Playing sample of...” then just play 30 seconds. Afterwards she’ll tell me the whole song is available on unlimited. Nice to know there’s free music.  |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 17, 2020 14:40:36 GMT
I had no idea. Sometimes when I request a song she’ll say, “Playing sample of...” then just play 30 seconds. Afterwards she’ll tell me the whole song is available on unlimited. Nice to know there’s free music. Yes, you can't request a certain song but can request a genre: any decade, smooth jazz, Fly Me to the Moon channel, etc. |
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Post by Fidget on Oct 19, 2020 14:18:59 GMT
I LOVE my Dots! I have one in the kitchen to listen to music while I fix dinner. Usually I just say *Alexa, play oldies* or *60's music* or whatever I'm in the mood for. When we're trying to remember someone's age (well known person), I ask Alexa. When DH is in his home office downstairs and I'm in my office/craft room upstairs all I have to say is *Alexa, drop in on DH* and it works like an intercom. We can also drop in on our son in the Bay Area. What!! So my son also has a dot, he lives maybe 6-7 miles away - are you saying I can communicate with him ( more so my Grandkids) through the dot? |
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,985
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Post by blue tulip on Oct 19, 2020 14:26:15 GMT
our number one thing is keeping the shopping list on Alexa. SO CONVENIENT. people just have to speak their desires into the air, or as they are using the last of it, and it's on the list. my boys were never bothering to actually write something on the paper list, now they can just say "alexa, add bologna to the list". it literally can't get more simple. and it's so easy if you're like, just out of the shower and realized you were almost out of shampoo. i can access the list from my phone and use it to order grocery pickup. I LOVE it.
i also ask the forecast every day and play music. sometimes use the timer function.
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Post by bianca42 on Oct 19, 2020 14:29:42 GMT
My kids use her for:
setting alarms when his remote classes are
asking for answers to homework
We all use her for:
adding items to shopping list
checking the calendar to see what's for dinner
turning on/off lights
playing music
setting timers when cooking. (I love that I can have 5 different timers going at dinnertime and can label them. Alexa, set a 5 minute spaghetti timer. When it goes off, I know which food thing is done.)
The biggest problem in my house is her name. My dog's name is Lexi and my son is Alex. Sometimes when I'm talking to the dog or DS, she will answer.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 19, 2020 14:51:36 GMT
I ![]() my Dots! I have one in the kitchen to listen to music while I fix dinner. Usually I just say *Alexa, play oldies* or *60's music* or whatever I'm in the mood for. When we're trying to remember someone's age (well known person), I ask Alexa. When DH is in his home office downstairs and I'm in my office/craft room upstairs all I have to say is *Alexa, drop in on DH* and it works like an intercom. We can also drop in on our son in the Bay Area. What!! So my son also has a dot, he lives maybe 6-7 miles away - are you saying I can communicate with him ( more so my Grandkids) through the dot? Yes! You just have to enable both dots to be able to communicate. Once it's set up you just say *Drop in on (name of dot)* and you're good to go! The only problem is, they have to be by the dot to know that you're trying to reach them so I think it works better if you're in the same house. |
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Post by Alexxussss on Oct 19, 2020 14:57:07 GMT
If your Alexa has a camera, there is a little button on top you can slide to block the camera. I always keep the one in bedroom closed, but kitchen one on.
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Post by elaine on Oct 19, 2020 15:06:08 GMT
I use her as my alarm clock on my Echo show.
The other Alexa devices throughout the house are used to turn on and off lights on smart plugs. She turns on and off our television. She is used as a timer.
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Post by epeanymous on Oct 19, 2020 15:19:13 GMT
I have gone Alexa overboard in my house. We have the streaming music service, so I use that a lot. We also use them for timers, news, podcasts, and games (my kids love Song Quiz).
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Post by lily on Oct 19, 2020 16:47:24 GMT
We had an Echo Dot and noticed from the day we plugged it in we got TONS of unsolicited calls on our house phone (yes we have a landline because of my husband's job). We finally unplugged the Dot and put it away and amazingly the calls almost totally stopped. That thing listens TOO much. It is bad enough my Iphone listens to me LOL
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Post by danor98 on Oct 19, 2020 16:52:21 GMT
My kids use her for: setting alarms when his remote classes are asking for answers to homework We all use her for: adding items to shopping list checking the calendar to see what's for dinner turning on/off lights playing music setting timers when cooking. (I love that I can have 5 different timers going at dinnertime and can label them. Alexa, set a 5 minute spaghetti timer. When it goes off, I know which food thing is done.) The biggest problem in my house is her name. My dog's name is Lexi and my son is Alex. Sometimes when I'm talking to the dog or DS, she will answer. My husband was staying with his family for a bit and their “Alexa’s” kept getting confused. He changed the “name” of the one in the rooms he was staying in to, “computer”. He would say, “Computer, play smooth jazz”. Possibly a solution and easier than changing Alex or Lexi’s name😅 |
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Post by warrior1991 on Oct 19, 2020 17:06:30 GMT
We love the smart plug. After my dad's stroke, he could turn the lamp on from his chair instead of risking falling trying to lean over the end table to reach the floor lamp. I have a second smart plug and will use it for the Christmas tree. Love that idea.
My brother keeps trying to get my Alexa to laugh. She just ignores him. He said he read somewhere that she will. I told him to get this own. LOL
I just bought the Ring door bells (back door and front door) and it said they will connect with the Echo Dot. That will be nice, in case the cell phones aren't near by.
I want to get a second Dot for upstairs. I didn't think to get it during the Prime sale. They are sold out until January.
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Post by katiekaty on Oct 20, 2020 3:11:53 GMT
Alexa runs my house! She is the equivalent of Sara from Eureka except she won’t make my breakfast!
What she will do:
Opens and closes the garage
Displays any of the security cameras around the house and property
Turns lights and lamps on and off
Turns ceiling fans on off and sets different speeds
Works with myKey Amazon to safety and secure delivered packages
Works with FireTV blaster or all TVs that are not firetvs to turn them on or off, set different level of volumes
Works with fire stick to go home, open tv apps, find shows, pause, resume, etc.
Works with Nest to control temp upstairs and downstairs
Controls outside lighting
Dispenses treats to cats and dogs
Plays music and games, settles arguments about useless information
Weather updates
Timers, integrates with smart kitchen clock
Orders things on Amazon for me
Sends messages to family members (to there dots) and can be an intercom
Controls all our smart appliances and smart plug
works with August our smart doorbell/camera
And a couple more things I forget
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