Alexa with No Internet Access

zom247

zom247

zom247

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29 Sep 2004
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Wilt of the Shire
My Mother in Law has no internet access but she's banging on about getting Alexa (Dot?), she doesn't have a smartphone to hotspot to either. She is not very good with technology so I'm sure it would never be used anyway, her carer has apparently sold the idea to her. She has a tablet but can't even turn that on or swipe in without calling me :)

Not sure if you can get a mobile wifi dongle or something so if anyone can help so I can get her off my back it would be much appreciated!
 
It's a bit like buying a bike with no wheels. Yes, you can sit on it, sure, but you aren't going anywhere.

The best bet would be to get a cheap internet service to her phone-line, assuming she has one.
 
Whilst you could use an Alexa with no internet (connect as bluetooth speaker, control home devices on a wifi network with internet down) I would think it would constantly complain. Whenever we get an internet outage she can't really do anything. "I'm having problems at the moment" or something like that will be uttered. In fact, I doubt you could even set the thing up without an internet connection.

On that basis, I would simplify it - especially since you will end up supporting it - by just telling her that you have to have a stable internet connection with wifi in the house for it to connect to. Without that, you are setting yourself up for a lot of hassle and disappointment.
 
Why does she not have internet access? Is she in a rural area and cant get it or just doesnt want it because she doesnt know what it is or cant afford it?

Surely there are some really cheap deals about that she could sign up to for cheapy cheap internet either via somewhere like talk talk etc or mobile based like smarty, lebara, lyca etc that for a fiver a month you can get a 5G sim and get one of the dongles for it.
 
Oh yeah I do understand that. However if they wan things like smartphones, tablets or Alexa then they need it. Simples. My mum was same years and years ago. She would t be without it now.
 
ZXSpectrum said:
Why does she not have internet access? Is she in a rural area and cant get it or just doesnt want it because she doesnt know what it is or cant afford it?

Surely there are some really cheap deals about that she could sign up to for cheapy cheap internet either via somewhere like talk talk etc or mobile based like smarty, lebara, lyca etc that for a fiver a month you can get a 5G sim and get one of the dongles for it.
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She's a complete technophobe and has never wanted or needed the internet but now her health has deteriorated quite a lot which impacts on her memory and capacity to remember things. As I said before, she cannot even use her tablet. I can sit with her and show her how to swipe in, use whatsapp and then 5 mins later it's all gone and I have to start again. I'll just tell her she can't have it and hopefully she'll forget about it.

She refuses to have a smartphone but she struggles with the basic flip phone she's currently got. For example, the battery ran out on it today and I had to talk her through how to turn it on again.

She has a diary for keeping hospital appts etc but her carer mentioned Alexa could do that so she keeps asking about it now.
 
Ah ok I understand what you mean now. I can also understand how the elderly struggle with this stuff. There are some really useful websites that give advice on how to help the elderly with tech/internet. Here is a couple I could find:
www.careline.co.uk

How to Help Older People Use the Internet

Nowadays, it's hard to imagine life without the internet, but older people might need a helping hand. Show your loved ones how to use the internet today.
www.careline.co.uk www.careline.co.uk

Helping older people get online | Age UK

We know that getting to grips with using the internet can feel overwhelming, so we've brought together information and advice to help you get started and show you all the benefits of getting online.
www.ageuk.org.uk www.ageuk.org.uk
You could also do some cheat cards and simple instructions on how to do some simple tasks which has a more step by step guide to follow.
 
A verbal reminder about medicines, hospital appointments or other scheduled tasks is useful even if you aren’t elderly and a technophobe. Her issue will be the internet access required to make it work. It surely can’t be worth setting up internet access just for an echo dot can it?
 
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