|
Post by pjaye on Jul 31, 2017 15:35:19 GMT
I loved that video! Haha... Pop quiz - when was Benedict Cumberbatch born?
|
|
scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,763
Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
|
Post by scrapngranny on Jul 31, 2017 15:36:28 GMT
We got the Dot for Christmas. Other than using the timer, I haven't found anything else that is useful. I keep hoping to find a need for her. I am thinking about getting the plug for the lamp I got the living room, so I can turn it on when we are not home. I really want to love Alexa, but so far I'm just not that into her.
|
|
imsirius
Prolific Pea
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
|
Post by imsirius on Jul 31, 2017 15:36:56 GMT
I loved that video! Haha... Pop quiz - when was Benedict Cumberbatch born?
|
|
|
Post by keknj on Jul 31, 2017 17:37:32 GMT
You can tell Alexa to ask google if she doesn't know the answer to your question. It might be one of the skills, I can't remember for sure. We use it all the time.
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Jul 31, 2017 17:41:42 GMT
You can tell Alexa to ask google if she doesn't know the answer to your question Ah that's a handy one to know, I'll definitely try this....thanks
|
|
linda~lou
Pearl Clutcher
Keep calm and eat crumpets
Posts: 2,744
Location: Motown but my heart is in San Francisco
Jun 25, 2014 21:57:08 GMT
|
Post by linda~lou on Jul 31, 2017 17:45:23 GMT
I love her. I have the large one in my living room and a dot in kitchen and bedroom. I'm constantly asking her how old someone is while I'm watching TV. Did you know Morgan Freeman is 80 years old?
I love the shopping list and that I can add something when it pops in my head. My bedroom dot puts me to sleep at night with ocean wave sounds.
I haven't done the light thing yet. I wish I could tell her to unload the dishwasher.
|
|
|
Post by rst on Aug 1, 2017 3:21:59 GMT
I use the "thrive" guided meditation every night -- puts me out in seconds now, I'm so conditioned to it. I also like using the ambient sounds to help me fall back asleep if I wake up in the night. Or listen to an audible book synced with my kindle.
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Aug 1, 2017 3:28:52 GMT
You can tell Alexa to ask google if she doesn't know the answer to your question. I tried this last night and she said "sorry I can't do google searches, if I don't know the answer I can do a Bing search via the Alexa app" Maybe google have pulled this now that the 'Google Home' has been released?
|
|
|
Post by kluski on Aug 3, 2017 19:26:36 GMT
So what is the difference between the different models? Why do some of you have more than one? Will the dot serve the same purpos minus the sound quality for speakers? This seems more effective then Siri bc I have to turn my iPad on to access Siri, is that correct. Ughh I want a new toy!
|
|
|
Post by baylorgrad on Aug 3, 2017 21:12:33 GMT
I asked Alexa awhile back: "Alexa, tell me a dirty joke." She replied: "A man walks in to a coffeehouse and orders a cup of coffee. He spits it out and says, 'Waiter, this tastes like mud!' The waiter replies, 'Sir, it's fresh ground.'"
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Aug 3, 2017 22:34:56 GMT
So what is the difference between the different models? Why do some of you have more than one? Will the dot serve the same purpos minus the sound quality for speakers? If you have a bigger house you want to access Alexa in several different rooms then you will need more than one. If the Echo is in the kitchen then it will not be able to hear you from un upstairs bedroom. They are not battery operated and are not easily "portable" they need to be plugged into electricity. Although you can buy seperate battery packs I believe This is why many people have a main Echo and then one or more of the smaller 'Dot' versions. They both do the same thing - it is the speaker quality that is the difference between the two and what makes the Dot so much cheaper.
|
|
|
Post by Miss Ang on Aug 4, 2017 0:41:36 GMT
Now I'm inspired to get one for myself! Maybe for my birthday!
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Aug 4, 2017 1:11:46 GMT
I don't have one because I am afraid my young son loves them far too much and I'd hear nothing but him and Alexa all day long. When we visit homes that have them he will ask if he can talk to their Echo. Unfortunately he has a developmental speech issue so Alexa often cannot understand him, resulting in him saying the same thing to her OVER & OVER & OVER again. Ugh!! On the one hand, perhaps it would actually be a help with his speech, but on the other hand, I think I might wind up "accidentally" tossing the Echo out after too many days of that.
|
|
|
Post by rst on Aug 4, 2017 20:06:51 GMT
The tap holds a charge and is portable -- you can use it wherever you have wifi access, even off your phone. The dot is great if you link it to a bluetooth speaker for better sound quality. I dislike having to set stuff up and deal with my blue tooth speaker linking to one thing and another (totally a first world problem, I admit) so that's why I got an echo for my bedroom. I use the dot in the kitchen or sewing room with a speaker. My son uses the tap, but sometimes we borrow it when we'll be outside or on a daytrip.
|
|
|
Post by Sharon on Aug 4, 2017 23:19:52 GMT
I just ordered one today. Best Buy has a one day special for $89. I got the white one.
|
|
|
Post by kluski on Aug 5, 2017 3:02:54 GMT
Bed bath and beyond had the same sale
|
|
zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
|
Post by zookeeper on Aug 5, 2017 3:52:20 GMT
I just ordered from Best Buy and will pick up my Echo tomorrow. Great price at $89!
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Aug 5, 2017 10:07:20 GMT
$89 is a great price! Just get in the habit of using it right from the start and she will become invaluable. I am adding stuff my calendar by voice, getting news briefings and still asking lots of questions. I just spent another $300 on lights today so I can voice control a few more...I also got the ambient white so I can choose any colour of white - or set the light to gradually get brighter when I need to get up. I got a coloured globe for the bedside light & now I can do 'mood' lighting such as sunsets etc. I still want a coloured light strip for the entertainment center in the lounge - but they were out of stock everywhere near me. Although Alexa and I had a tense moment tonight...I told her to play some music and she said "here's a channel you might like...playing Barbara Streisand" ah no! I had to shout at her, Alexa STOP! and specify to play MY music. It seems while I was clicking around when I first got it I accidentally signed up for music unlimited free trial, but then I cancelled it again straight away because I know I won't use it enough, but it seems I can still play the music for the next month. However I am NOT a Streisand fan...that that wasn't her best recommendation
|
|
|
Post by Lexica on Aug 5, 2017 15:18:11 GMT
Ask her to give you a drum roll.
|
|
zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
|
Post by zookeeper on Aug 5, 2017 15:20:16 GMT
I am not a Streisand fan either! I would be yelling stop stop stop!!!
|
|
|
Post by smasonnc on Aug 5, 2017 15:34:11 GMT
How are the speakers for the music? I hooked mine up to my stereo and I can play Spotify, Pandora and Amazon through my stereo. I subscribe to all of them. My Amazon music includes every CD I ever bought from them, even the used ones I bought from 3rd party vendors. I also replaced my thermostats with smart ones and have added some lights. I will continue to do so. I can also speak into the air and dog food arrives in a couple of days. This is funny, my husband is so polite that I had to remind him that he didn't need to say "please" and "thank you" when giving Alexa a command.
|
|
zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
|
Post by zookeeper on Aug 6, 2017 6:55:39 GMT
I picked up my Echo today and I have set an alarm for tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!
|
|
zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
|
Post by zookeeper on Aug 7, 2017 2:58:46 GMT
My dh has figured out that he can "drop in" on the echo. So I should be expecting him to wake up every morning by talking to me through the echo. This should be interesting!
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Aug 7, 2017 11:34:51 GMT
My dh has figured out that he can "drop in" on the echo. So I should be expecting him to wake up every morning by talking to me through the echo. This should be interesting! uh oh! That wasn't in the plan. Have you been asking her lots of questions?
|
|
|
Post by MadamG2U on Aug 8, 2017 14:17:44 GMT
I have the echo in my kitchen and a dot in the living room and a dot in the bedroom. I love it! It took some time but I have set up lights through out the house. I have the strip around the TV and use an app that changes that light based on what I am watching. I just hooked it up to my Nest thermostat as well as my Neato. Love the shopping list. As well as shopping on Amazon and not having to pull out my computer. Missy Elliot wakes me up every morning. Like someone else said if it would just empty the dishwasher!
MadamG2U
|
|
zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
Aug 28, 2014 2:37:56 GMT
|
Post by zookeeper on Aug 29, 2017 2:43:38 GMT
I love love love my Echo!!! I love being able to turn on my bedside lamp or turn it off without reaching over. I have vertigo and I get dizzy everytime I roll over to turn off my lamp.
But...I was taking a shower last week and realized that I was taking my long hot lavender essential oil shower in silence. So...I told Alexa to play Jack and Diane radio and boom! I had music! I could not hear it very well so I turned up the volume....and did the entire thing while taking a shower!!!
Seriously...I love her!
|
|
|
Post by pjaye on Aug 29, 2017 4:54:49 GMT
Yep. I still do too! If you have Prime or signed up for the music unlimited service, then Alexa has set playlists for moods and activities...you could have said "Alexa play music for taking a bath" there's also playlists for: “Alexa, play classic rock music for a dinner party.” “Alexa, play hooking up music.” (or baby making jazz music ...lol) “Alexa, play classical music for sleeping.” “Alexa, play music for getting pumped.” “Alexa, play music for a family sing a long" “Alexa, play spa music" Sign up for the "what's new" emails too. The last two weeks have been: THINGS TO TRY•"Alexa, tell me a story." •"Alexa, what happened today in history?" •"Alexa, recommend a skill for me." With 15,000+ skills, Alexa can help you discover new favorites. •"Alexa, what's my sports update?" •"Alexa, who's your favorite superhero?" •"Alexa, add 'call mechanic' to my to-do list." •"Alexa, what's on my to-do list?" •"Alexa, let’s play a game." •"Alexa, who's your favorite Game of Thrones character?" •"Alexa, how does my day look?" •"Alexa, open Thunderstorm Sounds." •"Alexa, turn the volume to 6." •"Alexa, how many games back are the Giants?" •"Alexa, who has the most home runs in baseball?" •"Alexa, let's make a drink." •“Alexa, play 'Can't Stop the Feeling!'" •"Alexa, what's today's high temperature?" •"Alexa, what's your favorite book?" •"Alexa, what is 256 times 52?" •"Alexa, where does rain come from?" •"Alexa, remind me to feed the dog at 9am." I am currently listening to thunderstorm sounds just for the heck of it. Oh and the audiobook Cosmos by Carl Sagan is currently free, just say "Alexa play Cosmos" Not sure if you have to be an Audible member already though...I am, so it worked for me.
|
|
|
Post by smasonnc on Aug 31, 2017 12:55:19 GMT
I was just now able to speak into the air and order dog food.
|
|