Confused by Alexa / Echo/ Dot - can anyone help please?

[Chaotic45]

I'm considering buying DS 'an Alexa' but I'm confused by all the options and I don't seem to be able to find a simple 'Alexa'?

We have no other Alexa type devices in the house, and the idea was that it could be a speaker for DS to keep in his room and use to connect to his iPhone to play music, and a way to play Spotify tracks, plus maybe an alarm?

Can anyone help me untangle their options please!

[DancingGuru]

I’ve got one in the kitchen. And the children have one each in their rooms. I mostly use it in the evening preparing dinner. I listen to music “Alexa play Radio 1” or “Alexa play 70s music” use it to time things, “Alexa set the timer for 20 minutes” and call the kids to dinner. We have Prime and get access to a lot of music. You can also subscribe to Prime Music for even more access but I’ve not needed to.

You can get an Echo Dot which is the lowest quality sound, or an Echo Studio is much much better sound. An Echo Show has an additional screen. There is also a version with clock display which is a great bedside clock.

Haven’t a clue about light bulbs though.

Would definitely recommend getting a couple.

[4Minions2CallMyOwn]

I think maybe I’m asking something that’s been answered already but honestly I’m clueless at technology and even though I’ve read this thread am still super confused... so sorry!

Can I please ask: we have a house totally Alexa free. I’m fascinated by these devices and would love some advice for our house please?

So DD14 has an iPhone, DS has an iPhone. DH has a Samsung and I have an IPhone. If relevant. DH has Amazon prime so do I as we share it. I think it comes with music but I only listen to the radio so don’t know. The children have amazon fires also so think they can access it too but we don’t know

As our house is Alexa free what would be best to buy? I love the idea of calling for dinner as am forever shouting up a 3 storey house which is so annoying! Also music would be good- if we get DD one for her room, DS one for his and one for the kitchen would that mean I could call the children for dinner? Also could they listen to music on prime? Setting alarm clocks would also be brilliant!

How do the lightbulbs work? Can they be screwed in anywhere that has the same type of bulb? Do you then turn on and off the lights. And do they change colours? Any kind of links would be brilliant!!!

Is this a life changing thing that you wouldn’t be without? Like a dishwasher, Robot hoover etc? Do they make your life easier? I’m sorry sorry for all of the questions, I’m a dinosaur when it comes to technology and just can’t get my head around any of this

Any advice would be brilliant! Thank you

[DancingGuru]

Brilliant spot, they are all reduced so thank you

[WhentheDealGoesDown]

@Chaotic45

OP, just spotted the ones with clock are on offer for £38.99 on Amazon.

[BikeRunSki]

@321zyx

I am also confused! Just to clarify, can I assume that if I purchase a Dot (or other similar device) that I don't need a streaming subscription (i.e. amazon prime or spotify) if I only want to listen to DAB radio or ask it random google style questions?

That’s right

[peppapigonaloop]

Thank you for the order through Alexa tip! Just saved £25 on an echo show for dd

[321zyx]

BikeRunSki - thank you for de mystifying this! I previously thought 'Alexa' was an Amazon product and a Dot (or Echo Dot) was a Google product and therefore needed different subscriptions to use/manage them.............

[BikeRunSki]

@Waiohwai

I know that others have asked pretty much the same question, but will an echo without any kind of subscription to amazon prime or Spotify play music?

You can use it as a Bluetooth speaker if you are playing music from another device.

[Waiohwai]

I know that others have asked pretty much the same question, but will an echo without any kind of subscription to amazon prime or Spotify play music?

[BikeRunSki]

Echos (and Echo Dots. which are the same but smaller) basically just speak the internet. So you just ask them a Q, or a task that you would normally type. So instead of going to BBC Sounds and playing Radio 1 or whatever, you just ask Alexa (the voice of Echo) to play BBC Radio 1. DD asks her her homework Questions, but you can also get her to do quizzes on mental maths , general knowledge, harry potter etc

[321zyx]

I am also confused! Just to clarify, can I assume that if I purchase a Dot (or other similar device) that I don't need a streaming subscription (i.e. amazon prime or spotify) if I only want to listen to DAB radio or ask it random google style questions?

[Totalshambles]

BikeRunSki brilliant thanks so much!

[BikeRunSki]

@Totalshambles

I am also very confused by the dot and what it does. I have one squirreled away to give to my son but he doesn’t have his own phone. We have WiFi and phones in the house and I am happy to download an app to my phone if necessary but will he be able to talk to it and to get it to play music to him without actually having a phone in his room with him? Sorry if this is a daft question, I have tried to find out but it’s very confusing!!

Yes

You can link it to a Spotify or Amazon Music account, or whatever music streaming service you want. Or any digital radio station. Echos and phones needn't mix at all.

I use the app mainly to make announcements to the whole house at once. Or if I am out for an early run/walk I can use it to tell everyone to get up.

[Totalshambles]

I am also very confused by the dot and what it does. I have one squirreled away to give to my son but he doesn’t have his own phone. We have WiFi and phones in the house and I am happy to download an app to my phone if necessary but will he be able to talk to it and to get it to play music to him without actually having a phone in his room with him? Sorry if this is a daft question, I have tried to find out but it’s very confusing!!

[CarnageAtTheGardenCentre]

@Chaotic45

Thank you all so much h for the detailed advice. I love Mumsnet sometimes!

I think a 4th gen echo with an LED clock display will serve our purposes best- as DS also needs an alarm clock and frequently uses timers.

I may ask some relatives who need present ideas to look at accessories- I'm sure DS would like a colour changing bulb.....

Thanks again.

Yes, the LED clock display is good if using for an alarm clock.

We have two echo dots with clocks in our bedroom for alarm purposes, plus I’ve paired them both up for stereo sound.

[betterwithouthim]

Prime offers. You might need a friend with an Alexa to order at the moment!

[Billericaydicky]

Agree with others the echo is massively better sound quality than the echo dot.

[BikeRunSki]

@Chaotic45

Thank you all so much h for the detailed advice. I love Mumsnet sometimes!

I think a 4th gen echo with an LED clock display will serve our purposes best- as DS also needs an alarm clock and frequently uses timers.

I may ask some relatives who need present ideas to look at accessories- I'm sure DS would like a colour changing bulb.....

Thanks again.

You can ask Alexa to set an alarm or a timer without the clock display. You just ask! “Alexa, please set an alarm for 8 am every Monday”, “Alexa please time 25 minutes” etc

[KnowlWay]

Thank you. Enlightened.

[DancingGuru]

Just to warn you, I wanted one of the Echo dots with an LED clock last year (the earlier generation). They went out of stock on Black Friday and didn’t come back in until after Christmas

[NotGenerationAlpha]

I got an echo dot with the alarm clock in my room. The sound is awful. Get something better if you can afford it. Looking at their website now, probably an echo unless you can afford the echo studio?

You can link Amazon prime music and sportily through it. You might need Spotify premium subscription. I have sonos at home and it’s linked via that so haven’t looked at the linking option but I’m sure it’s there!

[KnowlWay]

Sooooooo is it possible to play music from Spotify through the Echos? Can you have ‘Alexa’ without Amazon music?

[myhobbyisouting]

Why would you put the Bose in the loft?

Link it to Alexa and then you can tell her to play your music/radio through it

[nevernotstruggling]

Yep echo dot Black Friday. We have two they are great and not very spendy for quite a clever gadget.

[Chaotic45]

Ah I would love one myself TBH but DH bought me a swanky Bose speaker thing a few years ago for Christmas and I'm worried about hurting his feelings by relegating it to the loft and replacing with a fab Alexa device.