Discussion
I've got a dot I keep in the kitchen.
Mainly used for setting timers when cooking or a bit of radio if I'm not fussed about audio quality.
When I first got it I would use it loads and set up prompts for it to tell me certain things, ie in the morning I would say something to it and it would tell me the weather, news headlines and any travel problems.
If you go and get more connected bits then I can see their use increasing.
Mainly used for setting timers when cooking or a bit of radio if I'm not fussed about audio quality.
When I first got it I would use it loads and set up prompts for it to tell me certain things, ie in the morning I would say something to it and it would tell me the weather, news headlines and any travel problems.
If you go and get more connected bits then I can see their use increasing.
I have a few of them dotted around the house. I use them to control the TV/lights/heating, play music, listen to the radio or podcasts, timers for cooking, alarms, reminders, weather, recipes, and answer basic things like how many yen is x pounds, or what is 20" in cm, or what year was so and so born.
All stuff you could do on your phone, but its quicker to do via the Echo as I don't have to unlock the Echo, launch the app. Especially useful when doing something like cooking when you don't really want to be cleaning your hands every five minutes to use the phone.
All stuff you could do on your phone, but its quicker to do via the Echo as I don't have to unlock the Echo, launch the app. Especially useful when doing something like cooking when you don't really want to be cleaning your hands every five minutes to use the phone.
Add some smart plugs (£10 each) and then you can do things like:
I also have the Google Home, which costs 2 or 3 times the Echo Dot, and it pales in comparison IMO, misunderstands what you are saying much more frequently.
- Wake you up in the morning with news and sport briefing followed by live radio and bedroom light switching on
- Turn your fan off 1 hour after going to bed
- Turn plugs off that are hidden behind furniture etc
I also have the Google Home, which costs 2 or 3 times the Echo Dot, and it pales in comparison IMO, misunderstands what you are saying much more frequently.
I've got an Echo Dot hooked up to an amp and speakers in the lounge, bit of a five minute wonder and it doesn't get much use any more - I forget it's there and google stuff on my phone instead of just asking Alexa. It'd be better in the kitchen used as a radio I think (although the built-in speaker isn't much good).
The other issue I have is using voice commands isn't that good for randomly going from track to track - I miss the 'if you like that, you might like this' related artist suggestions from using Amazon Music on a phone or tablet.
The other issue I have is using voice commands isn't that good for randomly going from track to track - I miss the 'if you like that, you might like this' related artist suggestions from using Amazon Music on a phone or tablet.
I like the smart plug idea, that would be very useful.
Presumably if I had one in my lounge, it could control the lamps there. Could I tell it remotely to put the lights on? Like if I was out longer than expected, tell it via my phone to turn the lights on?
Will it integrate at all with Sky Q? I'm not sure what for, or my Sony TV? Both of which would be on the same wifi.
And then another in the kitchen, very useful for timers/recipies/music while you cook - will it integrate with Spotify? Not a fan of Amazon Music.
Bit of a daft question, but with two of them, there isn't any interference between the two is there? Presumably the smart switches link to just one of them, and you pair it like Bluetooth?
Presumably if I had one in my lounge, it could control the lamps there. Could I tell it remotely to put the lights on? Like if I was out longer than expected, tell it via my phone to turn the lights on?
Will it integrate at all with Sky Q? I'm not sure what for, or my Sony TV? Both of which would be on the same wifi.
And then another in the kitchen, very useful for timers/recipies/music while you cook - will it integrate with Spotify? Not a fan of Amazon Music.
Bit of a daft question, but with two of them, there isn't any interference between the two is there? Presumably the smart switches link to just one of them, and you pair it like Bluetooth?
I picked up an Echo Dot a while ago for £25 on some Amazon promotion or other. I figured if I only used it as a kitchen timer it would still be worth it. That's probably what I use it for most, but it's good for controlling my Sonos and catching up on the news.
Depends on what you put into it I think. One friend has all his heating and lighting working through it, while another has her whole diary and shopping on it and uses it all the time.
Depends on what you put into it I think. One friend has all his heating and lighting working through it, while another has her whole diary and shopping on it and uses it all the time.
One of the most useful things we use the Echo for is a household shopping list.
As soon as you use the last of something in the kitchen, just say "Alexa add [xxxx]"
Or just add the ingredients from a recipe.
It gets added to the shopping list on mine and my wife's phone. You use the list in the shop and check off thing you bought. The item then disappears from both phones.
You can have custom lists eg for different shops.
When you add to the list it will tell you if it's already in the list.
As soon as you use the last of something in the kitchen, just say "Alexa add [xxxx]"
Or just add the ingredients from a recipe.
It gets added to the shopping list on mine and my wife's phone. You use the list in the shop and check off thing you bought. The item then disappears from both phones.
You can have custom lists eg for different shops.
When you add to the list it will tell you if it's already in the list.
Have a few dots and an echo.
Great for controlling Spotify/Radio on the echo and sonos speakers. Can also easily connect to another Bluetooth speaker.
Handy for timers/shopping lists/weather/smart plugs.
Also synced to Logitech harmony remote to control TV. Handy if kids hiding remote... “Alexa turn tv off’!
Great if you have other gadgets/Spotify etc. Little bit pointless otherwise for me.
Great for controlling Spotify/Radio on the echo and sonos speakers. Can also easily connect to another Bluetooth speaker.
Handy for timers/shopping lists/weather/smart plugs.
Also synced to Logitech harmony remote to control TV. Handy if kids hiding remote... “Alexa turn tv off’!
Great if you have other gadgets/Spotify etc. Little bit pointless otherwise for me.
I'm beginning to think I'd like an Alexa at home for radio and tunes in the kitchen. E.g. I play R2 in the morning by unlocking my phone and switching on the iPlayer app - haven't moved to Sounds yet! - but I could just ask Alexa to play Radio 2. Or other radio stations of course.
This was more desirable when I was still nursing a 5c along so would often have to wait for it to start charging before I could listen to R2. Not an issue now I have an XR.
Likewise, I think I'd like one in the office. We have a basic FM radio playing the local station. If I'm on the phone or Mrs PB is on the phone or I'm playing Popmaster through the aforementioned iphone/app combo, we have to get up and turn the FM radio down. Strikes me that saying 'Alexa, play Tone FM' or 'Alexa, turn the volume down' or 'Alexa, play Radio 2' at 10.30 could be more fun.
This is the limit of my tech expertise. In fact, the idea of someone hacking the work computers via the Alexa is probably the thing that holds me back!
I saw the ads last night for the Google device down to £24. Naively hadn't twigged that they're getting in before Prime Day.
This was more desirable when I was still nursing a 5c along so would often have to wait for it to start charging before I could listen to R2. Not an issue now I have an XR.
Likewise, I think I'd like one in the office. We have a basic FM radio playing the local station. If I'm on the phone or Mrs PB is on the phone or I'm playing Popmaster through the aforementioned iphone/app combo, we have to get up and turn the FM radio down. Strikes me that saying 'Alexa, play Tone FM' or 'Alexa, turn the volume down' or 'Alexa, play Radio 2' at 10.30 could be more fun.
This is the limit of my tech expertise. In fact, the idea of someone hacking the work computers via the Alexa is probably the thing that holds me back!
I saw the ads last night for the Google device down to £24. Naively hadn't twigged that they're getting in before Prime Day.
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