Author Topic: Amazon Echo (Read 15469 times)

paul211b · « **on:** September 19, 2016, 12:52:52 pm »

Finally to be released in the UK 28th September I have pre-ordered one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-SK705DI-Echo-Black/dp/B01GAGVIE4

Anyone else planning on getting one?

Hoping to voice control my Philips Hue lights and control my Harmony hub for remote control. Looks like a great piece of kit and will only get better over time.

Anyone in the USA currently use one? Any tips etc?

(oops probably should be in the tech forum)

Les Willis · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2016, 01:03:45 pm »

Not a South American newspaper, I gather...

paul211b · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2016, 01:38:14 pm »

Quote from: Les Willis on September 19, 2016, 01:03:45 pm

Not a South American newspaper, I gather...

Ha ha

paul211b · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2016, 10:40:31 am »

Could someone please move this to the Tech thread for me? Thanks.

Andy Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2016, 12:03:53 pm »

Quote from: Les Willis on September 19, 2016, 01:03:45 pm

Not a South American newspaper, I gather...

I genuinely thought this too.

oojason · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2016, 06:20:23 pm »

Quote from: paul211b on September 20, 2016, 10:40:31 am

Could someone please move this to the Tech thread for me? Thanks.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/OEu4Iq5KL-Q?fs=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/OEu4Iq5KL-Q?fs=1</a>

thejbs · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2016, 11:46:45 pm »

Had a cameo in season 2 of mr robot. That piqued my interest.

paul211b · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2016, 08:45:30 am »

Released on 28th got a pre order in for it. Been looking at what you can do with it and am quite impressed. The usual gimmick stuff, Simon says looks fun for tricking people. Search Alexa easter eggs on google.

The real use is in the custom skills you can create, once the developers get in on this could be some excellent uses for this. Also there are rumours that push notifications will be enabled, so instead of you having to activate it, Alexa could just tell you the stuff you need like if your train is late, it's about to rain, traffic jams, goals scored etc without you asking for it.

Amazon are also in with Harmony so that Echo integrates with the harmony hub, am hoping I can tell Alexa what channel I want to watch as well as turn my activities on and off.

paul211b · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2016, 08:47:45 am »

Quote from: oojason on September 20, 2016, 06:20:23 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k98BvXRI1XE

oojason · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2016, 06:57:42 pm »

Quote from: paul211b on September 21, 2016, 08:47:45 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k98BvXRI1XE

paul211b · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2016, 02:45:15 pm »

Any UK users ordered one? I have been looking at the skills and not many are UK based.
What skills do you think are must have? I want to know about Premier League scores.
Have Philips Hue Lights and Harmony Hub for TV remote. Do you have this working?

Issue with my hue app (new version)
I have an issue with the new app in grouping the bulbs.

I need to have all lights in one group so i can say "Alexa turn lights on / off" but i also want to be able to have this as individual.

On the app once the lights are in a Group say living room, I am unable to create another group called lamp to add the lamp so that I can turn this on and off at will.

Any ideas how to set this app up?

CraigDS · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2016, 02:50:06 pm »

I'm finding it hard to get my head around any of the voice controlled things. Like Siri, other than when it first came out and was a bit of a new thing I don't think I've ever used it. There just don't seem to be many situations where I can't get the info I want within just a few clicks.

I could possibly see the use in a really connected house, but it would need to get to the level of controlling pretty much everything (phone, TV, heating, kettle, lighting, shower, bath, etc) before I could see me wanting to use it.

paul211b · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2016, 03:25:50 pm »

Quote from: CraigDS on September 23, 2016, 02:50:06 pm

I'm finding it hard to get my head around any of the voice controlled things. Like Siri, other than when it first came out and was a bit of a new thing I don't think I've ever used it. There just don't seem to be many situations where I can't get the info I want within just a few clicks.

I could possibly see the use in a really connected house, but it would need to get to the level of controlling pretty much everything (phone, TV, heating, kettle, lighting, shower, bath, etc) before I could see me wanting to use it.

I used to use Siri to control my hue Lights, worked quite well.

Looking forward to the Echo, I think will become really useful, asking questions, shopping lists, lots of people seems to use them in the Kitchen for recepies and timers fir cooking. Be great when it can tell me stuff without me asking such as the football scores, train times, breaking news etc.

Elmo! · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2016, 03:52:33 pm »

Think I'd rather wait for Google Home. Google already know everything about me so no need to let Amazon hoover up all my data as well so they can sell me stuff.

CraigDS · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2016, 03:55:31 pm »

Quote from: elmo_swatloski on September 23, 2016, 03:52:33 pm

Think I'd rather wait for Google Home. Google already know everything about me so no need to let Amazon hoover up all my data as well so they can sell me stuff.

Fuck that's a worry, imagine if Google used what it knows about you to randomly start telling you things it thinks you might want to know

You just sit down for a meal with your family and you hear "paul211b, YouPorn has uploaded 7 new video's tagged 'Midget Porn', I will begin streaming these direct to your TV for you." $:-\$ $:-\$

Elmo! · « **Reply #15 on:** September 23, 2016, 04:07:36 pm »

Quote from: CraigDS on September 23, 2016, 03:55:31 pm

Fuck that's a worry, imagine if Google used what it knows about you to randomly start telling you things it thinks you might want to know

You just sit down for a meal with your family and you hear "paul211b, YouPorn has uploaded 7 new video's tagged 'Midget Porn', I will begin streaming these direct to your TV for you." $:-\$ $:-\$

The Echo will do the same.

"CraigDS, your order for a 12" dildo has now been dispatched. People who bought this item also purchased butt plugs, would you like me to order one for you?"

CraigDS · « **Reply #16 on:** September 23, 2016, 04:10:31 pm »

Quote from: elmo_swatloski on September 23, 2016, 04:07:36 pm

The Echo will do the same.

"CraigDS, your order for a 12" dildo has now been dispatched. People who bought this item also purchased butt plugs, would you like me to order one for you?"

Ah, Amazon fucking up again I see as I ordered those last time.

paul211b · « **Reply #17 on:** September 26, 2016, 11:47:40 am »

Alexa app available in the Google Play Store for Wednesday release.

paul211b · « **Reply #18 on:** September 27, 2016, 03:52:48 pm »

Dispatched delivery tomorrow excellent, new toy to play with (and no doubt sell in a week or two)

Elmo! · « **Reply #19 on:** September 27, 2016, 09:42:04 pm »

Quote from: paul211b on September 27, 2016, 03:52:48 pm

Dispatched delivery tomorrow excellent, new toy to play with (and no doubt sell in a week or two)

Let us know how it is. I'm curious in what ways it is going to subtly try and sell you stuff (also interested in how good it is

).

paul211b · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2016, 09:28:28 pm »

Have had a play with the device today and I am quite impressed.
Found all my lights with no bother. Also knows the names of them so alexa lamp off. Alexa hall on all work. You can adjust the brightness and switch them on and off but that's all. Philips hue are working on changing scenes and colours.

The voice recognition is pretty good. Also you receive cards to the phone app so you can see what alexa think you said and also report issues.

Some fun skills avaliable am sure there be so great ones added on the future. Lots of film quotes if you like monty python etc. Tell her that her mother looks like a hamster and she will tell you your father smells of elder berries.

Think this would be excellent for children and school work. Anything can be searched and its quite responsive.

Looking forward to testing it more. Alexa can tell you liverpool next fixture she does not yet know the champions league.

Overall I am pleased with it much better than Siri or Google now. Also the microphone is excellent. Can ask it questions from across the room with the TV on with no problem.

filthy1980 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2016, 11:53:19 pm »

got mine delivered yesterday, only had a brief play

setup is ok, felt it cold have been more intuitive in some aspects, connected to hue really easily and turned lights on and off no problem, not as loud as i thought it might be though

liked the tip on homework kids asked it a questioned yesterday and it rattled off a Wiki very quickly

these are only going to get better

Craig S · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2016, 12:31:36 pm »

Quote from: filthy1980 on September 29, 2016, 11:53:19 pm

not as loud as i thought it might be though

What are you listening to? I have found Spotify much louder than TuneIn radio on the same volume. You can tell it to turn up the bass etc too,

paul211b · « **Reply #23 on:** September 30, 2016, 02:04:40 pm »

As IFTTT is not working in the UK I am testing Yonomi.

Can currently control my lights also set routines like at sunset turn on lights. When arrive home turn on lights.

I have a harmony remote to0 am also testing this for turn on TV, Turn Off TV, Change Sky Sports news etc.

Just got a Bluetooth dongle for the PC running Kodi so the new step is play, pause. Hoping that when the integration with Echo and Harmony is released i will be able to do these things without Yonomi

filthy1980 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 3, 2016, 03:56:02 pm »

Quote from: Craig S on September 30, 2016, 12:31:36 pm

What are you listening to? I have found Spotify much louder than TuneIn radio on the same volume. You can tell it to turn up the bass etc too,

yes I was only saying "volume up / down" hadn't realised there was a 1-10 scale

10 is very loud impressed thus far

.adam · « **Reply #25 on:** October 10, 2016, 04:41:13 pm »

Tempted to jump on the Google Home bus when it is reaches the UK.

I've got a bunch of speakers around the house hooked up via Chromecast and really like the idea of being able to say what music I fancy on and which speakers to play it on.

Seems that Google have got to the party a bit late so they'll be playing catchup with Alexa but I would assume devs will be pretty quick to build compatible services.

paul211b · « **Reply #26 on:** October 14, 2016, 03:21:35 pm »

Philips Hue skill added today for the Echo. Lets you change scenes now.

tedmus · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2016, 09:20:01 pm »

Just got a dot so in for this

paul211b · « **Reply #28 on:** December 28, 2016, 08:58:03 am »

New Harmony skill added so I can now turn on / off the TV, DVD, Xbox etc. Also play, pause, stop, FF, RW using my voice.
Slightly annoying I have to say " Alexa tell harmony to ......" An in built smart skill would have been nice.

tedmus · « **Reply #29 on:** December 30, 2016, 03:21:38 pm »

https://www.alexaskillstore.com/

Trada · « **Reply #30 on:** December 31, 2016, 04:54:58 pm »

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/r5p0gqCIEa8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/r5p0gqCIEa8</a>

oojason · « **Reply #31 on:** January 1, 2017, 05:58:26 pm »

US cops seek Amazon Echo data for murder inquiry:-

(Amazon refuses to release info without a 'valid and binding legal' demand)

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/12/28/us_cops_seek_amazon_echo_data_for_murder_inquiry/

as ever, the comments section of The Reg is well worth a read.

Should be interesting to how this develops... (story also at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38450658)

oojason · « **Reply #32 on:** January 9, 2017, 02:59:08 pm »

Amazon Echos activated by TV comment:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38553643

People may want to think about disabling the 'voice purchasing' setting - or using the four-digit confirmation code to prevent accidental purchases - just in case...

CraigDS · « **Reply #33 on:** January 9, 2017, 04:25:01 pm »

Paul, now the novelty of it being new has worn off, how are you finding it? Is it genuinely something useful you're using regularly as it's actually better than doing things how you used to, or is it still a bit gimmicky at the moment?

Upinsmoke · « **Reply #34 on:** January 9, 2017, 05:00:26 pm »

got one for my birthday, it is pretty cool like. don't have too much connected right now but gonna move towards more bluetooth enabled stuff

asked it to play rap on spotify and it decided to play johann sebastian bach instead

McrRed · « **Reply #35 on:** January 9, 2017, 06:09:42 pm »

Quote from: Trada on December 31, 2016, 04:54:58 pm

[emoji3]

Quote from: Upinsmoke on January 9, 2017, 05:00:26 pm

got one for my birthday, it is pretty cool like. don't have too much connected right now but gonna move towards more bluetooth enabled stuff

asked it to play rap on spotify and it decided to play johann sebastian bach instead

Could be worse, see video above [emoji20]

CraigDS · « **Reply #36 on:** January 9, 2017, 08:02:02 pm »

Well that's convinced me to order one

.adam · « **Reply #37 on:** January 10, 2017, 09:57:25 am »

Sorry to hijack the thread to discuss a 'rival' device but I thought it'd be worth posting this in here rather than creating a new thread.

After my deliberations about purchasing one, I got a Google Home imported to the UK and have it set up and in use.

First things first, although it says its currently unavailable outside of the US, it works fine within the UK.

I have it integrated with my Philips Hue system, Nest thermostat, Chromecast-enabled speakers (Spotify Premium account) and Chromecast-enabled TV.

With respect to all these services, the Home performs admirably.

Hue: All commands work fine. "Switch the lights on in living room", "Dim the lights by 50%", "Set the living room to purple" etc. etc. I can't set a timer though such as "Turn all the lights off in one hour"

Thermostat: "What temperature is it in here at the moment?" and "Set the temperature to 20 degrees" work fine. I'd like to have the ability to adjust my schedule (e.g. "Set the temperature to 10 degrees at 2PM" but that feature isn't available yet.

Music: Probably the feature I use most. "Play MTV Plugged by Nirvana" on the living room speaker", "Play Chromatics Kill for Love on the downstairs group" - all works fine.

TV: I basically use this for Youtube clips and movie trailers. The Chromecast can use HDMI-CEC to switch the TV on and switch it to the correct HDSMI input which is pretty cool.

I use it a lot for basic Google questions "How many millilitres in a cup", "How old was Leonadro diCaprio in 'Catch Me If You Can'", "What time is it in Kuala Lumpur right now" and so on. I've also used it to call an Uber which is pretty cool.

With respect to limitations, you can't set reminders, calendar events, use it to find your phone, text your contacts, send emails, play password-protected podcasts... the list goes on. It is quite limited at the moment with respect to what it could be

I bought it for the basic home automation functions listed above, I'm assuming Google will release a slew of features over the coming months. Rumour has it that they're working on some sort of voice authentication process so that you and only you can set calendar entries etc.

At the moment, I'm happy with it and I know it'll only get better. It can even 'hear' me when I'm upstairs.

PaulF · « **Reply #38 on:** January 17, 2017, 05:16:51 pm »

Alexa, What happens if I cross the proton streamers.
Alexa, What's the first rule of fight club.
And for when the mother in law visits, Alexa, open prayer helper...

Those three alone are worth the cost of the echo.

tedmus · « **Reply #39 on:** February 3, 2017, 12:30:19 pm »

Plex skills added

https://www.plex.tv/alexa/