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Original poster

Tell me about Alexa

29 replies

thecuriousfox · 26/10/2019 15:19

My DC have been going on for ages about getting an Alexa, and I’m actually beginning to think she’d be quite a good addition to our household! Thing is, I don’t know much about how it (she??) works, do you pay a subscription, does it use lots of WiFi, etc? So please hit me with all you know about Alexa!

OP posts:
MyGoodTimes · 27/10/2019 00:21

Avoid Alexa and get a Google Mini instead. We have both and Google is by far the more superior of the two. You link your apps to it via your smartphone. We have unlimited wifi so I don't know how much it uses. Both are easy to set up. Alexa speaks randomly at times and doesn't always understand commands.

Original poster
thecuriousfox · 27/10/2019 13:00

Thank you I will investigate that one now! Smile

OP posts:
GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 27/10/2019 13:05

Following Grin

BlackCatSleeping · 27/10/2019 13:05

Also following with interest. Black Friday is coming soon.

TheQueef · 27/10/2019 13:06

I have Alexa. I'm a fully invested Amazon prime member though so I use notifications and other Amazon stuff.
Can't help with the tech stuff mine is controlled by witches. Halloween Grin

TheQueef · 27/10/2019 13:21

I personally use it for..
Timers.
Alarms.
Radio.
Recipes.
Podcasts.
Audio books.
Weather.
Shopping list.
News.
Keeping track of delivery (5 stops away notifications)
Not sure what DC use her for they always have headphones.
Oh and asking the tv remote if people have died.

Difficultcustomer · 27/10/2019 13:23

I use Apple stuff (so iPhone). Is that compatible or would people suggest something else?

SingingLily · 27/10/2019 13:33

The children use it for music, jokes, riddles, bedtime stories and quizzes.

I use it for alarms, timers, weather, music, general information and also for learning foreign words and phrases.

The app is on my iPhone and is controlled from there. That's useful because I can see what the children are asking it to do too.

Gingaaarghpussy · 27/10/2019 13:36

I mainly use my Alexa for reminders, alarms and music. I also found out recently that you can ask her about symptoms of illnesses.
Quite fun to argue with too, when she mis hears what I ask for and comes up with something obscure that I've never heard of.
I had to google why the light circle round the top was yellow, not so long ago and found that it's for notifications. She informs me it's on it's way and tells me just after I hear my letterbox that its arrived.
I have the Alexa app on my phone. My son has an iphone so it must be compatible.
It may be worth downloading the app and finding out what she's capable of.

Landlubber2019 · 27/10/2019 13:40

I preferred the Google over Alexa

tumbleisatwat · 27/10/2019 13:43

They listen to you through it.

No, that isn't paranoia.

PorpentinaScamander · 27/10/2019 13:46

I hate my google home! Alexa is much better imo.
Having said that I don't think she's enhanced my life in anyway !

Biancadelrioisback · 27/10/2019 13:48

Mine gets used as a timer, alarm, news flash and animal sounds for DS.
He also managed to accidentally set up a watch dog on it so it randomly barks throughout the day and it terrified me until I knew what was going on

highheelsandwitcheshats · 27/10/2019 13:49

We use ours for music (both Amazon music - subscription based and the radio.
Timers for cooking, screen time etc
Audio books
Weather
Commute alerts first thing
Children enjoy playing games and hearing jokes and riddles.

I got ours last Black Friday for £25. It's currently prices at £35 (normally £50).

Gingaaarghpussy · 27/10/2019 14:14

They listen to you through it.
Omg! She's going to hear me talking to my cat and muttering about nutters out for a drink on the weekend.Halloween Grin

MyOtherProfile · 27/10/2019 14:18

We also have both and prefer the Google home. Minis are often available for less than £30.

TricklBOO · 27/10/2019 14:20

I can send DH / DS reminders through Alexa from work via my phone. I know they'll actually take notice rather than a text.

Grammar · 27/10/2019 14:36

I hate Echo or Alexa, it cuts out all the time.
We've gone back to a radio. Just listening to Gardening Qustion Time as I write. It will not stop mid sentence!

MyOtherProfile · 27/10/2019 14:55

Grammar is it maybe your WiFi that cuts out? I listen to the radio all the time on my Google home and it pretty much never cuts out.

highheelsandwitcheshats · 27/10/2019 15:27

I learned this afternoon that if you say 'Alexa play music' it will play your most played songs. That's an insight. Although you're guaranteed music you like. Currently listening to it and waiting for the sodding Macarena, Baby Shark or Blah Blah Blah to kick in courtesy of my DCs contributions.

Original poster
thecuriousfox · 27/10/2019 17:30

Thanks everyone. And I hadn't remembered about Black Friday so that is indeed a good idea. I'm terrible at making decisions so I'm off to ponder both devices! Hmm

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highheelsandwitcheshats · 27/10/2019 18:26

@TricklBOO My husband did not respond well when I remotely set off Alexa when he was alone in the house. Apparently he almost crapped himself and I got home to find it unplugged (my joke of setting off 'Who Let The Dogs Out' clearly fell flat).

frasersmummy · 27/10/2019 18:39

I use mine for shopping lists.. Like I will shout alexa put binbags on my shopping list.. When I'm at the supermarket I. Opne the app.. Shopping list.. Oh.bin bags
I set reminders and alarms.
I freaked my teenager put by playing you are not alone on it while I was at work.. Bad mum alert

TricklBOO · 27/10/2019 20:46

@highheelsandwitcheshats Grin