Discussion
dmsims said:
davek_964 said:
The one area I think it's weak is the ability to answer general questions - I.e the sort of thing a Google search would find instantly.
You can add a Google skill - so you say Alexa ask Google........It is a massive faff though and why Amazon did not include it is unfathomable
pmanson said:
tenohfive said:
Anyone using the TP Link plug socket controls purely with Alexa rather than through some wider lighting/hub style setup?
Yes, I have the sub for the 'Home Cinema' plugged into it (as the new Amp didn't seem to switch it off). I've named the TP plug 'Sub'. I've got it all linked into Yonomi as part of a series of commands. However I can control the sub directly via Alexa. Eg. Alexa Turn On/Off SubAt some point yesterday the WIFI hub ((Virigin Media) must have crashed or updated as the whole lot had lost connectivity with the WIFI network and I had to reboot everything which was a PITA. Other than that Alexa seems to recognise only a very narrow range of words for the groups. She will recognise a group called "TV" but not "Media Wall" or once called All" but not "God" for example. Still, it means I don't spill my beer or dinner looking for a light switch any more.
dmsims said:
davek_964 said:
The one area I think it's weak is the ability to answer general questions - I.e the sort of thing a Google search would find instantly.
You can add a Google skill - so you say Alexa ask Google........It is a massive faff though and why Amazon did not include it is unfathomable
bristolracer said:
dmsims said:
davek_964 said:
The one area I think it's weak is the ability to answer general questions - I.e the sort of thing a Google search would find instantly.
You can add a Google skill - so you say Alexa ask Google........It is a massive faff though and why Amazon did not include it is unfathomable
http://alexamods.com/guide-install-ask-google-alex...
You could probably do this using Alexa using autovoice to feed the request to the Google Assistant and back to Alexa. It would be easier than setting up a new skill directly but not something I know of in a single guide. This would give access to many more things than just google searches...
The steps don't look complicated, but I'm not sure how willing I am to add my credit card details, so I might skip it for now.
ETA : Decided to give it a go after all. Surprisingly, when testing it I initially struggled to find something Alexa didn't know the answer to itself. But I eventually found a couple of things and sure enough Google had the answer.
Alexa is not so bad that this is a necessity - but I think it will give it that little extra when Alexa doesn't know something.
ETA : Decided to give it a go after all. Surprisingly, when testing it I initially struggled to find something Alexa didn't know the answer to itself. But I eventually found a couple of things and sure enough Google had the answer.
Alexa is not so bad that this is a necessity - but I think it will give it that little extra when Alexa doesn't know something.
Edited by davek_964 on Tuesday 4th April 18:09
Watching the Eggheads program on tv and I hear Alexa confirming an order. On checking the App I discover the bloody thing has ordered a copy of World History at £31.00. I immediately cancelled it and on checking the App settings I found that voice ordering was activated and I know I had disabled that function sometime in January. Bit of a concern that Alexa can order things at will!
Collectingbrass said:
If you have two Echos do they control devices that are only mapped to a specific Echo device or is it any Echo on the same wifi network controls any device, eg downstairs lights from upstairs Echo?
The smarthome devices are connected to your amazon account, not directly to a single Echo, so either Echo can control them.
Digger said:
Can you get two Echos to have a conversation?
With third party software yes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t98nr8JXPsQCotty said:
I finally got the update to change the wake word to computer
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-415...
I've just powered up an Echo Dot that's been offline for a few months, and is running 564196920.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-415...
Will it just update itself? Saying 'Alexa, update yourself' doesn't seem to work...
MarkRSi said:
I've just powered up an Echo Dot that's been offline for a few months, and is running 564196920.
Will it just update itself? Saying 'Alexa, update yourself' doesn't seem to work...
It will eventually update itself, you can sort of force it by pressing the mute button. Leave it on mute and it updates itself at some random point, normally less than 1 hour but it's pretty random. Normally it just learns when you don't use it and updates during quiet times. It does flash orange or something when it's updating, I've only seen it happen once so can't remember the exact colour.Will it just update itself? Saying 'Alexa, update yourself' doesn't seem to work...
Is there a way in which you can alias a command to Alexa? I listen to a internet radio station called "Release FM" but only once in 20+ times of trying can I get Alexa to correctly understand what I'm asking. Keeps playing a Ukrainian radio station called Lux FM. Using the iPhone app, it reports "Alexa heard "play release f.m." so it's not my accent!
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