Echo dot. What’s the point?

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

Is this something a young teenager would use? No shopping lists, no need to control heating etc... what else do they do that a smartphone doesn’t? Am I missing something?
I’m struggling to buy for ds, and keep seeing people say they’re getting these for their dc. Is this something ds13 would like? I’m a dinosaur when it comes to tech, but he loves it. Could someone explain in words of one syllable for me please and help make my decision?

Ohh thank for posting this OP, I have been thinking about getting a dot for my boys bedroom(8&6) I think paired with a disco light they would have a great time with one.

Hi Piggery, it plays pray by Take That, have it on in my kitchen now. Bought my partner the latest dot for Christmas for his shed today as he keeps nicking mine out of the kitchen. Your son will love it. There are games, plenty of music options, news, weather. It will also give recipie ideas if you ask it.

I’ve just bought an echo plus fir downstairs and one for upstairs, 2 dots and the button things for DS.

He had so much at a friends with them. I’ve already got amazon prime but I’ve just got the amazon music unlimited and books unlimited so DS can have audio books and I can have them on long journeys. Sons good Black Friday deals which include the bulbs

Does Apple Music work on them?

If I bought from very would it connect to my amazon account? Or do I need to get it from amazon?

And thanks to whoever told me I have films through prime- I had no idea, just use it for free delivery! Will google and see if I can figure out how to get them!

Oh, and is there a limit to how many family members share the prime account for music/ how many devices?

If you look into Amazon prime household you can add on family members to open up their own personal Amazon prime accounts for no extra charge. That way your husband can have his own account and will not see your purchases. I only recently discovered this I was using my mum's account and then realised we could do it his way so now I have my own account. I think it's up to 4 people you can add on.

I have also only recently discovered prime video and music although you have to pay extra for unlimited music. Think it was £3.99 with a 30 day free trial I has to do it a few days ago as my daughter got an Echo for her birthday.

Just had a look you can add on up to 2 adults and 4 children to your prime account.

Thinking of one of these for DS17 but does anyone know if Family Spotify works on it without paying for Prime? Already pay for Spotify so don't really want Prime too.

They seem a bit pointless to me. Unless you have a disability that means you can't walk or have broken legs then stand up and walk to the light switch you lazy people. And if you are asking it to order batteries from amazon then there is the reason High Street retailers are going bust. Buy your batteries from a shop!

They seem a bit pointless to me. Unless you have a disability that means you can't walk or have broken legs then stand up and walk to the light switch you lazy people.

So, you're ignoring the other stuff it can do like, say, play music...?

We use family Spotify on our dots
Can all listen to different radio stations/Spotify playlists at the same time
Love them

@Howmanysleepstilchristmas if you go to your App Store and get Amazon Prime Video, then all you need to do is sign in with your usual Amazon account details :)
We had Prime for a while before I realised about the videos too, that’s why I mention it!

So dots can communicate with other dots in the house?

I don’t have one but am getting one and if they talk to each other I might get more!

If my teen has one I can tell mine to tell him to bring me stuff? Or tell mine to tell my DH to make me a cuppa?

What magic is this?

Oh and bookmum, I AM disabled so I hope that meets with your approval.

Bought one for 12 year old Ds last year..he wasn't impressed..didn't really know what do with it.
I now have it..use for reminding me to do stuff, putting stuff on my shopping list a
Etc.
I get more out of iylt

‘Oh, and is there a limit to how many family members share the prime account for music/ how many devices?’

I think it’s 6, but could be wrong. However, you can’t all ‘stream’ music at the same time. You can all listen to different radio stations simultaneously, and if you had created a playlist of amazon music then you could listen at the same time, but you can’t play directly from the amazon prime music store (unless you have Unlimited, I think?)
So, you couldn’t say to Alexa in the kitchen ‘Alexa, play happy music’ if your son (or anyone else) had already asked Alexa to play Mariah Carey Christmas songs (just plucking music choices from thin air 😂)

Yes ovo they can do exactly that

I bought the echo and dot a couple of years ago now. I love Alexa. The kids now have one each and we use her as an alarm. We have music unlimited so we can play whatever we want whenever we want. DS1 plays music in his room when he's revising. They also have one in the games room and when friends are over ask her weird questions to much hilarity. She is also set to turn off and on our lights. One of the best things I've bought for the husband and kids.

Yes @OvO! :) Also, if (heaven forbid) you had a fall at home by yourself, you could shout at Alexa to call your DH mobile phone, or to call another friend’s Alexa etc.

There’s lots of cool videos about the many uses for Alexa on different peoples blogs, and YouTube etc :)

Yes dots can 'drop in' I. E talk to other dots / echos. This is very useful in a tall thin house.

We use drop in to call the kids for tea....lazy parenting!

Thanks, peeps!

I’m so getting everyone one. They’ll not thank me for it later. 😂

Not keen on them wigging in to everything I say tbh