Amazon Echo

[jimmyjimjim]

Anyone have one or is getting one?

I got an invite to buy one for $99 some months ago, so took advantage of it, despite not having any need or use for it.

It turns up today.

[Zoon]

I don't really understand what it's for.
Keep the thread updated with how useful you find it.

[Brother D]

Ordered mine months ago and still waiting for it to be shipped...
My colleague had one a few months ago and seems pretty impressed with it. Says it's great for playing music and the speaker is surprisingly good. And occasionally useful for asking questions like whats the weather doing today etc - basically similar to Siri etc.
I plan to use it for the home automation aspects (lighting and the like) as it supports wemo devices and phillips hue stuff.
Looking forward to arriving (eventually)...

[jimmyjimjim]

Just noticed it supported wemo (from reading the massive amazon thread on it).

It also seems to do some interesting stuff with calendars.

Found this, which has a list of the updates:

http://www.amazon.com/forum/kindle/ref=cm_cd_rvt_n...

[jimmyjimjim]

As above, the speaker is surprisingly good. The playback is slightly oriented towards you buying your music through them or using their playlists, but you can still use your own easily enough. And upload your music to the cloud and add to a playlist.

And asking questions like whats the weather today etc - great fun!

The calendar integration is ace - 'what's on my calendar for today, what's my next appointment, etc'

Timers and alarm - 'set the time for <insert oven time here>'...'how long left', etc. Can see this being handy.

I set up the WeMo integration - took no time at all, much nicer than wink..

It tells bloody awful jokes, though.

[gregf40]

Glad to hear some positive feedback - I've had one a while and love it.

It will be interesting to see how the updates develop and what new features they will think of...

[ManFromDelmonte]

Echo
Echo
Echo

[jimmyjimjim]

gregf40 said:

It will be interesting to see how the updates develop and what new features they will think of...

Yes, looking at the list of improvements from the early Beta shows some interesting progress.

There's a lot of promise in an already polished product.

Alexa, good night.

"Good night, sleep tight".

[Lucas Ayde]

Is this available/working in the UK then? I thought it was US only.

Privacy concerns aside (what's to stop it being used as a bugging device in your house by a malicious third party with suitable access to the system) it looks like an awesome control device for home automation. Probably the 'first of a kind' what will become commonplace in the future.

[jimmyjimjim]

I've no idea if its available in the UK yet, I'm currently in Colorado.
Just checked it works with WeMo - very nice, much better than using the WeMo app itself!

Primarily using it for shopping lists, weather, calendar, music playback during chores and asking it questions - "Alexa, who wrote 'I'm a believer'?".

Drifting towards it as being a more casual internet interface than even a tablet. It seems to fit in quite nicely as a household assistant. Definitely a lot of potential.

[JerseyS2000]

you buggers

i've just ordered one from ebay.com. it should arrive in a week or so.

i will need to download the app, but its only available from the us app store - which i cant download from.

what the heck do i do now? aaaargh

[jimmyjimjim]

There's a few guides on t'internet as to how to do this. Basically create a second account and use that. It's a free app, so you don't even have to faff around with credit cards or prepaid credit.

[JerseyS2000]

thanks i'll give that a try

[jimmyjimjim]

And now available to order without an invite; $180.

[JerseyS2000]

Rats.

It has arrived and looks the business, but I tried to set up a second account but it demanded credit card info, which then didn't match the duff US address I'd provided.

So, I have an awesome paperweight until Amazon decides whether to release it in the UK

mucho unhappy

[Cotty]

Just seen this splashed over Amazon.co.uk front page. Seems a bit Star Trek:

Computer lights
Computer play Mozart
Computer weather report
Earl Grey hot

Ok maybe not the last one

Are they any good long term or just a bit of fun for a few days.

Edited by Cotty on Wednesday 14th September 13:18

[jimmyjimjim]

I still find mine very useful for timing things in the kitchen and keeping track of calendar entries.

[Zoon]

Cotty said:

Just seen this splashed over Amazon.co.uk front page. Seems a bit Star Trek:

Computer lights
Computer play Mozart
Computer weather report
Earl Grey hot

Ok maybe not the last one

Are they any good long term or just a bit of fun for a few days.

Edited by Cotty on Wednesday 14th September 13:18

Just ordered one, seems rude not to with £50 off.

[Cotty]

Just spotted a story in the Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-378...

I would really like to change the name from Alexa to Computer.

Oh crap Just Eat are on board. Order curry NOW.

[Zoon]

Cotty said:

Just spotted a story in the Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-378...

I would really like to change the name from Alexa to Computer.

Oh crap Just Eat are on board. Order curry NOW.

Also integrating with Sonos in the new year.