Amazon Echo - anyone have one?

meandu229 · 2 Feb 2017 at 21:33

NeilFawcett said:
If I understand it's only streaming music to the Echo? ie: You can't voice control a Plex client to control its media playback?

i think its the opposite,can only control a client client, cant stream music to an echo (yet)

TS7 · 2 Feb 2017 at 23:50

Is the only real difference between the Echo and Dot a bigger speaker?

If so I'm thinking of getting a dot and a sonos - we'd that work?

BusError · 3 Feb 2017 at 07:23

TS7 said:
Is the only real difference between the Echo and Dot a bigger speaker?

If so I'm thinking of getting a dot and a sonos - we'd that work?

The only other difference I know is that the Echo *cannot* be paired to BT speakers. The Dot can.

gobbo · 3 Feb 2017 at 07:48

TS7 said:
Is the only real difference between the Echo and Dot a bigger speaker?

If so I'm thinking of getting a dot and a sonos - we'd that work?

You'll have to use line in, there is no support for Sonos speakers at the moment.

https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4158/~/amazon-alexa-and-sonos

doodah · 6 Feb 2017 at 21:53

Waiting for the black version to come into stock. What's the word with privacy and the Dot/Echo? It only records after saying the wake word?

RoyMi6 · 6 Feb 2017 at 22:00

doodah said:
Waiting for the black version to come into stock. What's the word with privacy and the Dot/Echo? It only records after saying the wake word?

Pretty much. Just be aware if you say something like the wake word it will record anything after that as well.

You'll be aware of the fact since it will usually chime in mid TV show or conversation "I'm sorry, I'm not sure I can help you with that" and then you can go listen to/delete the recording if you're so inclined.

Narj · 6 Feb 2017 at 22:06

Has anyone tried, "Alexa, order me coke and hookers" yet? Did it send the boys in blue round?

BeeP · 6 Feb 2017 at 22:25

No but my local supermarket and fishing supplies shop do deliver really fast.

Sorry.

bobbarley · 7 Feb 2017 at 09:59

I have an Echo Dot, it's a cracking little device. I didn't see the point in buying a proper Echo as it was getting connected to a proper soundbar, so build in sound quality was never going to be a concern.

xbenjiiman · 7 Feb 2017 at 10:05

Anyone notice that her voice has changed? She sounds a bit more upbeat and cheery now.

albert · 7 Feb 2017 at 10:30

I had an Echo for a couple of months and I've just sold it for a £15 loss. I just got so bored with it. It does nothing more than my Android phone can do, plus my Android phone understands me unlike the Echo... Could never get it play Sun FM radio station or get it to play A Far Out Disc By The Toy Dolls. Plus the Hive control was so basic it was pointless using it. Heating on or off. No control of the temperature or a timer for it. Nah, wasn't impressed...

BusError · 7 Feb 2017 at 11:15

xbenjiiman said:
Anyone notice that her voice has changed? She sounds a bit more upbeat and cheery now.

Yeah the "ok" is more cheerful, I noticed that last week.

BeeP · 7 Feb 2017 at 12:42

Does it work better with Hive or Nest?

bobbarley · 7 Feb 2017 at 12:52

Works with either I believe.

BeeP · 7 Feb 2017 at 12:54

Is one better than the other though?

I'm leaning towards the Hive but only because I cant find my boiler on the Nest site.

bobbarley · 7 Feb 2017 at 12:54

All reviews will tell you they're both good, and can't be separated. So it'll just come down to personal choice in the end. I went with Hive as the deal was better when I bought it.

krooton · 7 Feb 2017 at 14:20

We love the unintended feature of it making quips at movies we are watching when it thinks it was asked a question

doodah · 8 Feb 2017 at 14:51

Stupid question. Only see this in practice with a high end soundbar. Has anyone linked it to a Bose Soundlink? Assume I can leave docked and on but think it sleeps, can Alexa wake it up?

NeilF · 8 Feb 2017 at 14:53

Wish the Echo could equalise its volume levels a bit more intelligently.

ie: Sometimes it will speak at one volume and then say the news feed will be much quieter, then a radio station louder, and then a particular say classical music piece from Amazon Music really quite...

If only it could auto adjust it's volume levels to some degree using some clever tech.

Em3bbs · 10 Feb 2017 at 09:58

The Amazon Tap now supports the Alexa wake word:

http://www.aftvnews.com/amazon-tap-...e-alexa-commands-with-latest-software-update/

They aren't available in the UK at the moment I got one a while back in the US and this update makes it really useful for the bath/shower!