To ask for Alexa tips?

[Chipsahoy82]

Got an Amazon Echo for Christmas. What do you guys mainly use it for? I only really use it for listening to Spotify at the moment and am struggling to find other practical uses! I’m sure Alexa can make my life easier but I’m not quite sure how, so I’m looking for some good tips!

Alexa is the AI, Echo is the actual name of the product. The Echo Dot is a smaller version of the full-sized model.

I got one yesterday and I love her so far. Much amusement was had when "I have a cunning plan" was said to her.

@NotACleverName, thank you that is helpful. What is the benefit of the full-sized version over the Echo Dot? Presumably it has additional functionality if they're charging more?

The full-sized version has a better speaker, I believe. From what I read (I couldn't decide between full-size and the Dot to begin with) the Dot does have one, but it's apparently not particularly great and could do with being connected to an additional bluetooth speaker.

I think it's just speaker quality - I'm perfectly happy with the sound on the dot

Thanks, Santa! I'll have to try it in my car if I can figure out how to make my phone a hotspot!

Apparently the only difference between the echo and the dot are the size of the speaker. The dot is great for the volume that I need it. I don't have a huge house so I don't need extremely loud music. I also have a large Sony bluetooth speaker that I can connect it to if I want loud.

Ive found the speaker quality on the Dot absolutely fine. I wouldn't spend the extra money on an Echo I'd get absolutely no benefit.

If you're playing music around the house, background music or listening to the radio a Dot is ideal.

We've had ours since the summer so the novelty factor has worn off but it's still used every single day.

Be aware that if you request a specific song you will get the full version of the song and not the radio edit - discovered when my dc requested 'I want to be a Billionaire' and caused them much delight when 'so FUCKING bad' blasted out in the kitchen

My two older dc like the games - say 'Alexa play True or False'.

Alexa play the Flash Briefing - gives a headline/top stories rundown which dh and I tend to use every morning.

We also use timers and reminders a lot. When the dc have ten minutes left of XBox time, I set an alarm...it's handy.

I also love the shopping list function. All of our shopping is now done from it - 'Alexa add X' is said multiple times a day. Dh and I I both have the app so then whoever goes next to Lidl/corner shop just automatically gets the Alexa stuff.

I've got 2. Kids use it for general questions (5 and 8), weather reports for here/their mums, reminders, timers, alarms, music, bedroom lights.

I use it for music, lists, reminders, Google calendar, cooking recipes and timers, general queries, and have it set up with IFTTT, so if someone says "Alexa, I need help", I get an email saying "help has been requested at home via Alexa"... Elderly mother, prone to falls.

I really rather like Alexa..

Ooh, yes. Also got the "sleep sounds" skill for the kids, "nightlight", and it reads their audible audio books when asked.. Forgot that..

@HopefulForToday Ooh - the shopping list function sounds great. We currently take a picture of our shopping whiteboard before going to the shops... how does it Alexa's list function work? i.e. How does the digital shopping list make its way to you when you're actually in the shop? I can see how it would possibly be synced with an online shop order, but how does that work with Lidl/corner shop?

She will. Relate your shopping list as you add items then when you go into the app it will be there.

Remember to go into your app and frequently delete the things you've asked or don't need- otherwise you will use sooooo much of your phones memory

Following as we have an Alexa in our lives since the 25th

Brilliant thread, another new dot person here.

Stupid question alert..........I think it's time I got prime. So if I buy that now, will the dot and fire stick now know I have it? You tube comes off fire stick on Monday and I use it a lot so am thinking the music would be worthwhile.

So is it quite easy to somehow suddenly access film and stuff?

Aha - so there's an app linked to Alexa, where presumably it stores some sort of dictated document cache? And that's where the shopping list is stored?

Sounding good so far. I'm tempted. Although the tinfoil hatter in me is a bit reluctant to invite always-listening technology into our home, before it inevitably becomes mandatory. I may have read too much dystopian literature.

fourpaws yes they are all linked to your Amazon account.

I think Amazon music is great. I use it on my Echo but I also use it in the car. I use my old iPhone to download tunes from Amazon music and Bluetooth them in my car.

I’ve downloaded hundreds of free tracks and if you’ve purchased any CDs from Amazon over the last 6 years I think, digital versions are there as well.

DD has just discovered Alexa can sing. DH just returned from the shop to find Alexa singing the national anthem

I use mine for the following:
Turning on/off lights
Alarm clock
Timers (useful for naughty step)
Weather report
Radio
Turning up the thermostat
Listening to my music collection shortly (pending the update that enables it on my home server)
Controlling my plex media player.

Opening the pod bay doors

What?! It can control Plex?!? Tell me more. The kids are nagging me to bring my Plex server back online..

How will you use it in the car when it needs a constant power source and WiFi?

Car USB port + hotspot on phone

January yes, you make the list through Alexa and she lists it on the app. Then you just open the app, go to 'Shopping list' and it's all there...this is mine at the minute for you to see what it looks like
(not much there ATM though).

@daddyorscience

www.plex.tv/apps/streaming-devices/amazon-alexa/

I'm about to set mine up so thank you for this thread

We bought one about a month ago when they were £34.99 - we love it.

We use it for...
The radio
Music paired from iTunes
Weather reports
Flash briefings - news
True or false games
And our favourite is the question of the day, we’re up to 120 points!!

I’ve just ordered a smart plug to try it out and I’m going to start using the list feature too - for some reason I thought that feature was linked to actual supermarkets e.g Tesco, Ocado etc so I’ve learnt something new.

I love it! Wish I’d bought 2 now!

They're still £34.99 BG2015

I must admit, I want one upstairs but I think I'd prefer another Echo because the speaker is good.

I’m setting mine up tomorrow, I’m excited now!