Amazon Echo - anyone have one?

I have my dot stream to a BT receiver on my stereo. The audio is actualy not fantastic; I tried steaming from the mac directly and it's better, but then again the Spotify is still quite a bit inferior to the good old 320kbps mp3 I had in itunes... On some songs it's actually quite poor.

Might be my BT receiver box tho, plain old cheapo! Anyone has a suggestion for a good BT->optical and/or analog box?

Spotify streams at 320kbps on the Dot. Not sure what if the BT connection lets that down though. Audio quality is fine for radio and stuff, although if they do release a second gen version with a digital out I'll be all over it.
 
I sold my last Sonos Play:1 and bought 2 Echo's for the same price. The sound quality of the echo is nowhere near as good, it lacks any bass in comparison. The app isn't as good as the Sonos either.

One thing I really wish the Echo had was a button to resume where you left off like the Sonos did. Other than that I feel I have made the right decision moving away from Sonos.
 
I've got mine connected to Sonos, Smarthings, Hue etc. When I go to bed I just say "Alexa run night time lights" and ALL my lights turn off and the house closes down. Love it just for that.

I used to feel silly saying Good morning to her. Now I like our chats....

Sonos integration is being tested now.
 
Has anyone used the eFamily app with the echo dot? I brought a smart plug and it uses eFamily but it wont find the plug and I'm not sure what's wrong.. Any advice?
 
Have you enabled a skill? Many need a 3rd party skill

edit: what make is the plug? I glanced at the app, it mentioned Zigbee as the protocol. AFAIK, Echo doesn't support zigbee, only wifi/bluetooth
 
The Echo doesn't control anything itself directly via wifi or bluetooth, it connects to existing services either as a skill or services integrated into the smarthome section. So you can get zigbee or bluetooth supported smarthome devices, but you'll obviously need a hub for those. There does seem to be an efamily skill in the US at least, but it only supports certain models and the reviews look a bit iffy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTQBFNP

You're probably better off buying something well supported like a TP-Link smart plug to be honest.
 
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Have you enabled a skill? Many need a 3rd party skill

edit: what make is the plug? I glanced at the app, it mentioned Zigbee as the protocol. AFAIK, Echo doesn't support zigbee, only wifi/bluetooth

The plug is a generic one I brought on eb** it says that it supports Echo and give your instructions on how to set t up to work with Alexa... I have enabled the skill but the eFamily app wont find the plug.
 
I got given one, an Echo that is. Initially a load of fun but then for me lost its purpose. It started as a nice gimmick and then became increasingly pointless as the novelty wore off.

Unplugged it about 8 weeks ago and hasn't been used since, will likely sell it. I suspect will turn out to be a bit of a fad for most people.
 
The plug is a generic one I brought on eb** it says that it supports Echo and give your instructions on how to set t up to work with Alexa... I have enabled the skill but the eFamily app wont find the plug.
Some of the apps need funny permissions on your phone - mainly controlling the wifi. I had an issue with one, eventually got to a screen where it wanted permission to control wifi networks, and only then did it connect to the bulb, allowing me to input my home wifi details in, and then all worked. Make sure your phone is doing that (disconnected home wifi, making new one)
 
Just started playing with Alexa on my Fire 7 tablet.
Either I don't speak clearly enough or the mic on the Fire 7 is rubbish.

I have 3 echo's and they all used to use alexa,had to change one to echo as it was annoying hearing all 3 turn on :)

Alexa is the main word and she hears me every time but echo has to be repeated sometimes.

Is that a joke? :D
 
Question for those using echos and dots. I want one but fear it may be a fad gimmick. Spotify.. Do I need premium? Radios, do I need any subscription services to use these. Mostly it will be for music and once iv got hive working will it integrate with that too or should I look for a nest?
 
Question for those using echos and dots. I want one but fear it may be a fad gimmick. Spotify.. Do I need premium? Radios, do I need any subscription services to use these. Mostly it will be for music and once iv got hive working will it integrate with that too or should I look for a nest?
I use mine everyday for music,lights,alarms.

I use radio stations through tune in radio which is free and there is loads of stations on there, I've had mine since last year and couldn't be without them now.
 
Question for those using echos and dots. I want one but fear it may be a fad gimmick. Spotify.. Do I need premium? Radios, do I need any subscription services to use these. Mostly it will be for music and once iv got hive working will it integrate with that too or should I look for a nest?
I use Tunein radio for national channels or Radioplayer for more local radio channels. For Spotify yes you need premium. Hive works really well, you can set the temperature and boost hot water as well as other things.
 
I got given one, an Echo that is. Initially a load of fun but then for me lost its purpose. It started as a nice gimmick and then became increasingly pointless as the novelty wore off.

Unplugged it about 8 weeks ago and hasn't been used since, will likely sell it. I suspect will turn out to be a bit of a fad for most people.

For me it was mostly for listening to music in the kitchen, then added bonuses are using it for timers, asking it the time, asking the weather etc. Could I be without it? Sure I could. But it is handy and I'm glad we got one.

I wouldn't say it is a fad, the home is only going to get smarter and smarter, this is just the beginning.
 
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