Alexa+ rolling out in the UK
Discussion
Just updated mine to see what the differences is and I am very confused.
I have 3 devices, Echo Show 8 (latest gen), Echo Dot (4th Generation) Echo Show 8 (1st generation). I expected the first two to update and then I could compare with my Echo Show 1st Gen to see what the differences were like, but Alexa+ is working on all of them despite Amazon saying "When you get access to Alexa+ it will work on all Echo devices, with the exception of certain older generation Echo devices like Echo Dot 1st generation, Echo 1st generation, Echo Plus 1st generation, Echo Show 1st generation, Echo Show 2nd generation and Echo Spot 1st generation, on which you can continue to use the original Alexa." https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Lights-Alexa/dp/B0...
Puzzled why it's working on my 1st Gen Echo Show. Unless you only only need one compatible device and it's covers all of them.
Anyone else trying it?
I have 3 devices, Echo Show 8 (latest gen), Echo Dot (4th Generation) Echo Show 8 (1st generation). I expected the first two to update and then I could compare with my Echo Show 1st Gen to see what the differences were like, but Alexa+ is working on all of them despite Amazon saying "When you get access to Alexa+ it will work on all Echo devices, with the exception of certain older generation Echo devices like Echo Dot 1st generation, Echo 1st generation, Echo Plus 1st generation, Echo Show 1st generation, Echo Show 2nd generation and Echo Spot 1st generation, on which you can continue to use the original Alexa." https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Lights-Alexa/dp/B0...
Puzzled why it's working on my 1st Gen Echo Show. Unless you only only need one compatible device and it's covers all of them.
Anyone else trying it?
The idea of having devices recording and collecting all about my life is not one I still happy with. Amazon (and others) do this gigantic data mining and monetise it to the max. Why should I let Amazon know everything about my life? Smart phones are bad enough.
Appreciate the “convenience and productivity” but not for me. I like my devices as dumb as possible and certainly do not want any open mic in my home listening and recording everything.
Appreciate the “convenience and productivity” but not for me. I like my devices as dumb as possible and certainly do not want any open mic in my home listening and recording everything.
I've requested it.
The whole only specific devices are compatible thing is clearly a drive to get people to buy new devices because it's a cloud service, should work with anything.
As mine varies between deaf as a post when standing next to it to picking up a gnat fart 3 rooms away I don't hold out much hope it will be any better or more useful than what we already have.
The whole only specific devices are compatible thing is clearly a drive to get people to buy new devices because it's a cloud service, should work with anything.
As mine varies between deaf as a post when standing next to it to picking up a gnat fart 3 rooms away I don't hold out much hope it will be any better or more useful than what we already have.
Bullett said:
I've requested it.
The whole only specific devices are compatible thing is clearly a drive to get people to buy new devices because it's a cloud service, should work with anything.
As mine varies between deaf as a post when standing next to it to picking up a gnat fart 3 rooms away I don't hold out much hope it will be any better or more useful than what we already have.
It looks like most existing Echo devices are compatible (why wouldn't they be - it's just a voice interface for a chatbot) but they are pimping four specific new Echos on their announcement page. They seem to be implying that if you buy one of those four, you'll get Alexa+ much quicker. But once you have it, it'll likely work on the other Echos that you have.The whole only specific devices are compatible thing is clearly a drive to get people to buy new devices because it's a cloud service, should work with anything.
As mine varies between deaf as a post when standing next to it to picking up a gnat fart 3 rooms away I don't hold out much hope it will be any better or more useful than what we already have.
I've registered to get it early - let's see if they give access. I can't believe that they've taken so much time to put an AI chatbot on the other end - a voice/speech driven device like Echo is the most obvious use-case that I can think of. The existing dumb Alexa is already pretty capable for home automation control but the way you have to add skills and use specific trigger words and phrases is really awkward and it's easy to forget what the commands are , especially ones you don't use often. I still use it to control lights, my security cameras and to an extent, remote control on the AV system. It would be great to have a natural language interface though that I can ask questions of.
Lawro1 said:
How are people requesting it?
I have Prime and I've just been to the Amazon site and it simply says they'll contact people in due course - there's no option to request it.
I didn't request anything I got sent an email to say it was available for me. They are rolling it out gradually, I don't know if it's by how long you have been a Prime subscription member or by region or alphabetically or how many times you have called Jeff a wI have Prime and I've just been to the Amazon site and it simply says they'll contact people in due course - there's no option to request it.
ker.Lawro1 said:
How are people requesting it?
I have Prime and I've just been to the Amazon site and it simply says they'll contact people in due course - there's no option to request it.
There's a link in the box saying 'Try Alexa+ for free' on this Amazon page:I have Prime and I've just been to the Amazon site and it simply says they'll contact people in due course - there's no option to request it.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DMYQG1N9
21TonyK said:
Anyone heard anything? Or if you have it, worth the wait?
I’ve got it running on 2 of mine now. It wouldn’t run on multi-lingual devices, so I had to change to English only.If you get fed up with the lack of answers to questions, then it fills a gap. It’s clearly trying to be some kind of one stop shop for voice-based AI. It uses a more expressive voice, but I did find that annoying for timers.
I presume it’s called early access as they are still developing it. That’s the agile way.
I haven’t turned it back off yet and will give it a bit longer.
It's still rolling the features out too.
I heard the new Alexa+ voice and the old Alexa voice out of the same machine and asked Alexa a very long question as to why, old Alexa would have blanked me or turned a light on, new Alexa+ said "how perceptive of me to notice" and went to explain in detail that not all of the responses have been updated yet and are being updated on an ongoing basis.
I heard the new Alexa+ voice and the old Alexa voice out of the same machine and asked Alexa a very long question as to why, old Alexa would have blanked me or turned a light on, new Alexa+ said "how perceptive of me to notice" and went to explain in detail that not all of the responses have been updated yet and are being updated on an ongoing basis.
We use Alexa to integrate and control all our smart devices including Smartthings, Philips Hue, Ikea, Somfy and more. Using Alexa groups allows different technology in the same room to be controlled together.
I have read that Alexa+ can forget some of the basic integrations which then stop working which would be a huge backward step if that happened.
The smart st is only tolerated in our house as long as it is easy for Mrs Actual.
I have read that Alexa+ can forget some of the basic integrations which then stop working which would be a huge backward step if that happened.
The smart s
t is only tolerated in our house as long as it is easy for Mrs Actual.Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff