OT: Amazon Echo

Orlaco

Senior
Dec 13, 2007
29,525
628
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i've been thinking about purchasing one to use as a hub for a smart-house. Anyone use it for that kind of thing?

In June the Echo Show gets released....which is the same gadget but with better speakers and a screen so if I use it as a hub I can also tie in security cameras too.

Thoughts....maybe suggestions on better products ?
 

DelawarEER

Redshirt
Jan 7, 2014
961
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28
About 6 months ago I purchased the Echo Dot and have it linked to two lamps that are connected via bluetooth (you can link it to however many outlets you want using a bluetooth outlet). You have to "teach" your echo dot "skills" via the Alexa app, it can tell you weather, news, traffic, etc. It's certainly a nice gadget to invest in.
 

AZeer

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
7,323
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I bought the Echo and 3 Dots. One of the best moves I've made. Echo in the kitchen/great room, Dot in the master bendroom, one in the living room and one to float from the garage to the pergola. There are a ton of thinks they can do.

Alexa play "WAJR radio" Easy to listen to Tony and the boys on SportLine without going to the computer.
 

lenny4wvu

Redshirt
May 17, 2009
5,307
36
35
I bought the Echo and 3 Dots. One of the best moves I've made. Echo in the kitchen/great room, Dot in the master bendroom, one in the living room and one to float from the garage to the pergola. There are a ton of thinks they can do.

Alexa play "WAJR radio" Easy to listen to Tony and the boys on SportLine without going to the computer.
Be VERY,VERY careful. .. We asked our Echo if it could lie,it said it could not,we asked it about the CIA and it told us everything about the establishment of the agency. We then asked it, if it was "connected"to the agency?...NO ANSWER. ..hmmmmm.
 

lenny4wvu

Redshirt
May 17, 2009
5,307
36
35
I bought the Echo and 3 Dots. One of the best moves I've made. Echo in the kitchen/great room, Dot in the master bendroom, one in the living room and one to float from the garage to the pergola. There are a ton of thinks they can do.

Alexa play "WAJR radio" Easy to listen to Tony and the boys on SportLine without going to the computer.
We also use it to play music.It does a great job of searching ALL artists. But it only plays cover songs of Zeppelin,and only 1 AC/DC song..which is a cover song of Back in black. .
 

Orlaco

Senior
Dec 13, 2007
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We also use it to play music.It does a great job of searching ALL artists. But it only plays cover songs of Zeppelin,and only 1 AC/DC song..which is a cover song of Back in black. .

Do you have prime ? Seems you should get more selections than that...

Or are you saying that's all it picks for you ?
 

BobbyBoucheer

All-Conference
May 29, 2014
21,917
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Do you have prime ? Seems you should get more selections than that...

Or are you saying that's all it picks for you ?

I have prime and of course it comes with prime music. Our Alexa taps into all of it. Great to have in the kitchen and get weather, news, what ever you ask for............Still think it would be easily hacked so anyone could listen to your conversations but we don't discuss anything of any import in front of Alexa.
 

Orlaco

Senior
Dec 13, 2007
29,525
628
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I have prime and of course it comes with prime music. Our Alexa taps into all of it. Great to have in the kitchen and get weather, news, what ever you ask for............Still think it would be easily hacked so anyone could listen to your conversations but we don't discuss anything of any import in front of Alexa.

Yea that's a concern for the Echo Show they're about to release since it has a cam and a display too. I actually dare someone to spy on me...won't alter my life one bit but their life will be changed forever.
 

lenny4wvu

Redshirt
May 17, 2009
5,307
36
35
Do you have prime ? Seems you should get more selections than that...

Or are you saying that's all it picks for you ?
Yeah..the bride LIVES for prime..lol. You can also link your playlist to it through wi-five as well. She just got an extended battery for it also.
 

MikeRafone

Freshman
Oct 5, 2011
4,238
53
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I was at friends house yesterday watching him try to set his up, it had arrived Friday. After awhile he called his sons basement dwelling buddy to come over and do it for him. The set-up isn't coot friendly, that's for certain.
 

AZeer

Redshirt
May 29, 2001
7,323
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0
Be VERY,VERY careful. .. We asked our Echo if it could lie,it said it could not,we asked it about the CIA and it told us everything about the establishment of the agency. We then asked it, if it was "connected"to the agency?...NO ANSWER. ..hmmmmm.


 

Darth_VadEER

All-Conference
Dec 14, 2010
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It's one of the dumbest inventions in the history of mankind.

I'm a tech person. I can't find a use for it.

It's a vanity piece, no utility.
 

Darth_VadEER

All-Conference
Dec 14, 2010
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I bought the Echo and 3 Dots. One of the best moves I've made. Echo in the kitchen/great room, Dot in the master bendroom, one in the living room and one to float from the garage to the pergola. There are a ton of thinks they can do.

Alexa play "WAJR radio" Easy to listen to Tony and the boys on SportLine without going to the computer.

Seriously?

You are an adult and one of the best moves of your entire life was buying an Amazon Echo?
 

Darth_VadEER

All-Conference
Dec 14, 2010
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Prime is good. We do the Amazon Mom thing for diapers and some other stuff that bulk is good, and TV membership is a nice perk.
 

Orlaco

Senior
Dec 13, 2007
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Seriously?

You are an adult and one of the best moves of your entire life was buying an Amazon Echo?

I don't think he was relating it to his entire life....more just the purchase of a gadget vs. his satisfaction with the product. Sometimes it's referred to as a review.
 

Orlaco

Senior
Dec 13, 2007
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Prime is good. We do the Amazon Mom thing for diapers and some other stuff that bulk is good, and TV membership is a nice perk.

Walmart online is actually crushing them on many products....plus a 5% discount on many items if you pick them up at a store. I always compare before making purchases for the last couple of months.

Amazon is starting to make the same mistake Ebay did (imo)... .....allowing crazy overpricing and in the case of eBay not actually having auctions but just 'buy it' listings. Barely ever use it anymore.
 

Darth_VadEER

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Dec 14, 2010
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I'm a tech person, I just can't find utility for those devices.

The only reason they sell them is to gather info on you discretely.

The moment they beam 3D porn on command, I'm in....
 

Darth_VadEER

All-Conference
Dec 14, 2010
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Walmart online is actually crushing them on many products....plus a 5% discount on many items if you pick them up at a store. I always compare before making purchases for the last couple of months.

Amazon is starting to make the same mistake Ebay did (imo)... .....allowing crazy overpricing and in the case of eBay not actually having auctions but just 'buy it' listings. Barely ever use it anymore.

I enjoy "buy it" more than auctions, but that's just me. My dad loves auctions and does well on collectibles (baseball cards, comic books).

I hate Walmart and haven't been inside one in 5 years....I will do Target.
 

Orlaco

Senior
Dec 13, 2007
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My mom doesn't get around well and the prime pantry is a fantastic service for dry goods and beverages.

PrimePantry kinda pissed me off (try to act not surprised).. ...with needing to fill a 'basket' after already paying for the prime subscription. I mean even some free two day shipping items now come with a disclaimer that states it might take two to four days to package BEFORE the two day shipping.

As previously mentioned...walmart.com has been crushing Amazon pricing on many products. 5% discount for picking it up at the store. Even if you hate Walmart that's no big deal.
 

BobbyBoucheer

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May 29, 2014
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PrimePantry kinda pissed me off (try to act not surprised).. ...with needing to fill a 'basket' after already paying for the prime subscription. I mean even some free two day shipping items now come with a disclaimer that states it might take two to four days to package BEFORE the two day shipping.

As previously mentioned...walmart.com has been crushing Amazon pricing on many products. 5% discount for picking it up at the store. Even if you hate Walmart that's no big deal.

I don't walmart.

And the pantry thing is all about shipping weight. If you look into the service it explains it well. Also I find the borrow a book or books a fantastic service. My kindle fire HD has been an amazing item and I only use it for books even though it will do most everything any tablet does. I got it on an amazon lighting deal for 49.99 years ago.