Idiot guide to Echo dot

[GingerAle1]

Hi there
Can anyone help with how this works please? Can I ask it to play music for say, one hour so my iphone isn't pointlessly playing music after I'm asleep for example?

does it read audio books?

Also they seem to be selling it with a bulb option at the mo - does that work in any screw lamp? And what would the smart plug do? Our heating system wouldn't be compatible.

I wouldn't want to hook it up to lights but telling it to time cooking would be good as well as the music speaker.

I'm guessing the "add to shopping list" only adds to Amazon?

will it hear me if I shout from the room next door, or put in the hallway to be heard from kitchen and lounge?

Does it cost a lot to run? Search online says not but that's not always the most reliable source. Thank you.

Bump for morning posters.

No one?

I've had Alexa for years now, I shout at her even when I'm away from home! She turns my lights on and off, operates my security cameras, sets timers when I'm cooking, plays music, audio books, all of those things.

You need to have the Alexa app installed on your phone or tablet and then you can manage subscriptions for, say, music or Audible. For shopping, you need to also tie the Alexa app to your amazon account.

Yes, she will hear you from a distance! Just yell 'Alexa....your question', whatever.

As for cost, they're negligible.

I know you say you wouldn't want it for lighting, but there's nothing more satisfying than, just before going to bed, you say "Alexa, goodnight" and every light in the house goes off (nightlight on the landing!)

Oh, and the "add to my shopping list" appears as just that, on the app on my phone.

It listens to you all the time. Like Jeff Bezos sitting on your bedside table. I'd find that freaky. A normal clock radio can play music for a certain amount of time without listening to you.

Thanks all

I imagined it eating electricity

So the light bulb they sell it with in their new promo, does it work in any screw bulb lamp? It's called Tapo Smart bulb.

thanks.

Download the app. There's lots of things it can do but I just play music

Yes! And then she says sleep well, or goodnight, enjoy your beauty sleep not that you need it...my favourite part of the day!

I'm sure there are lots of thing it can do that we don't use it for, but also plenty that we do use it for. For my shopping list, I don't get it added to my phone or amazon, I simply shout from the kitchen 'Alexa add sugar to my shopping list', then when I'm about to go shopping, I say 'Alexa, what's on my shopping list?' and she tells me. I use it for timing stuff like boiling eggs, I also use it to set reminders, for example to cancel a subscription in three months time. It can also be used for fun stuff if you have kids and they ask random stuff like 'what noise does a rhinoceros make?'

Thanks everyone, I think we'll go for it, without the lightbulb.