Amazon Echo - anyone have one?

Kemik

Kemik

Kemik

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Joined
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Widnes
Hi all,

I noticed they're launching new models and a cheaper version (that requires a separate speaker). Does anyone have one? Where do you tend to keep it and what do you tend to use it for? How is the speaker for playing music?

I'm tempted to put it in the kitchen for listening to music, asking questions, etc but at £100 I'm wondering if I'm better just sticking with some bluetooth speakers and switching on voice activated Siri following iOS 10 integration with non-Apple apps. Don't really fancy the battery drain though...

The cheaper one might be better but having a separate speaker constantly on seems like a waste of power and use of two sockets.

Thanks
 
The Echo Dot (what I assume you mean) has a built-in speaker for use as an assistant, so if you aren't fussed about music streaming then you don't have to have a separate speaker.
 
I just had the email from amazon offering me pre-order.

I've check out a few reviews and it seems a little pointless for my needs. I already have a decent bluetooth speaker and prefer to do manual searches for any other information.
 
I assume being an Amazon product that it won't play nicely with the Google ecosystem?

also, if you purchased two one for the living room and one for the kitchen, can you say to the living room one "play music in the kitchen" ?

How intelligent is it? could you for example say

Play track 2 from coldplays latest album using spotify in the kitchen
 
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I've just pre-ordered one. I've wanted something like this ever since I first watched Star Trek the Next Generation way back in the late 80's :D
 
Have anyone read 1984? They're basically telescreens. Ok, no screen as of yet, but everything that is heard in your house will be sold to advertisers, cold callers and the FBI/NSA/GHCQ etc. Kiss your privacy goodbye.
 
I have nothing for it to control so it would be a fun toy for a bit and then sit around getting dusty. By the time the various UK providers sort out integrations with the system I can assume that there will have been a hardware refresh.

So I'm watching with interest, but not buying.
 
VERY tempted by this with the £50 off.

Would be handy and seems a neat gadget to own
 
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Pawnless Endgame said:
Have anyone read 1984? They're basically telescreens. Ok, no screen as of yet, but everything that is heard in your house will be sold to advertisers, cold callers and the FBI/NSA/GHCQ etc. Kiss your privacy goodbye.
Click to expand...

I had these thoughts when reading about the microphones. :p:p
 
I've been waiting for the Echo since the US launch. It will be my latest, probably most futile attempt to help my mother in her struggle with dementia using technology.

If I only manage to teach Mum how to use it to tell what day it is, and feel a little more control of her increasingly muddled life, I'll consider it money very well spent indeed. If not... well, the month of Prime trial puts it under £100 and into tech toy territory.
 
Loved the concept and hearing about the US one wondering why it wasn't launched over here so very excited to try it out. Pre-ordered an Echo.

Happy in the Amazon eco-system so I'll see how it goes, first step into some home automation.
 
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sigma said:
I think some apps on your phone already do this.
Click to expand...

Nah, personal assistants blocked on my phone. VPN privateinternetaccess (all one word) installed on all devices. Ghostery on Firefox. NoScript by default. Edited HOSTs file. Spoofed MAC addresses.

Sure, nothing to hide, nothing to fear, but I don't do 1984 :-)
 
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