Amazon Echo
Apr 8, 2015, 9:50 am
#46
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
This is AWESOME.
WeMo and Philips Hue products now work with Amazon Echo.
You can now use Echo to switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, turn on the fan or heater while reading in your favorite chair, or dim the lights from the couch to watch a movie—all without lifting a finger...or even raising your voice.
To get started, connect your WeMo and Hue devices to your home Wi-Fi and name them in their respective app. Then say, "Alexa, discover my appliances." After Echo's confirmation, you can control your devices by voice.
Things to try:
Supported products:
As always, the Amazon Echo team looks forward to your feedback via the Amazon Echo App and on social media (#AmazonEcho).
You can now use Echo to switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, turn on the fan or heater while reading in your favorite chair, or dim the lights from the couch to watch a movie—all without lifting a finger...or even raising your voice.
To get started, connect your WeMo and Hue devices to your home Wi-Fi and name them in their respective app. Then say, "Alexa, discover my appliances." After Echo's confirmation, you can control your devices by voice.
Things to try:
- "Alexa, turn on the hallway light"
- "Alexa, turn on the coffee maker"
- "Alexa, dim the living room lights to 20%"
- "Alexa, turn on the electric blanket"
- "Alexa, turn on the outdoor decorations"
Supported products:
- WeMo: Switch, Insight Switch, and Light Switch
- Hue: A19, Lux, BR30, Bloom, and LightStrip lights
As always, the Amazon Echo team looks forward to your feedback via the Amazon Echo App and on social media (#AmazonEcho).
Apr 8, 2015, 11:52 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
On a side note, this thing reminds me of a smart fridge.
May 22, 2015, 11:47 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 2,066
Received mine while out of town and finally got it setup tonight. Great!! Especially ability to link iHeartRadio and listen to my normal radio stations.
Not much else to report - only had it working for a few hours but its fantastic so far.
Not much else to report - only had it working for a few hours but its fantastic so far.
Nov 29, 2015, 10:41 am
#50
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
I broke down and bought an Echo when it went on sale on Friday. As I've posted in the home automation thread, I'm slowly automating my home with SmartThings as a hub. Increasingly, posters on the ST message boards kept mentioning how Echo is a game changer when connected to their home automation system, so I was persuaded to make the leap. (Until the BF and I move in together, my home automation efforts are largely on hold because I don't feel like rewiring outlets and switches now only to have to move them to a new place in a few months. So this helps satisfy that itch.)
I've only played with Echo for a couple hours, but I love that I can tell it to turn on or turn off a particular light (one that's part of my HA setup) and it will do so. I need to mess around more with IFTTT (I know it's now officially IF, but like everyone else, I'm still referring to it by the old name). For those of you going the home automation route, how have you integrated it into your home?
My music purchases are spread between Amazon and Google. Anyone have any tips for getting it to play music from my Google Music account (where I've also synced my personal library)?
ETA: Also, best message board people have come across for discussing Echo setup, features and functionality?
I've only played with Echo for a couple hours, but I love that I can tell it to turn on or turn off a particular light (one that's part of my HA setup) and it will do so. I need to mess around more with IFTTT (I know it's now officially IF, but like everyone else, I'm still referring to it by the old name). For those of you going the home automation route, how have you integrated it into your home?
My music purchases are spread between Amazon and Google. Anyone have any tips for getting it to play music from my Google Music account (where I've also synced my personal library)?
ETA: Also, best message board people have come across for discussing Echo setup, features and functionality?
Mar 3, 2016, 2:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 2,066
Looks like Amazon has released two additional products
Wired write-up on the two new Echo devices: New Amazon ‘Tap’ and ‘Echo Dot’ Gadgets Unleash Alexa on the World
$90.00 for the Echo Dot Echo Dot : Must use the Amazon Echo or Fire TV to order the device.
$130.00 for the Echo Tap : Released 03/31/2016.
Wired write-up on the two new Echo devices: New Amazon ‘Tap’ and ‘Echo Dot’ Gadgets Unleash Alexa on the World
$90.00 for the Echo Dot Echo Dot : Must use the Amazon Echo or Fire TV to order the device.
$130.00 for the Echo Tap : Released 03/31/2016.
Mar 3, 2016, 3:27 pm
#52
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
I bought the Echo Dot. My fiance and I are moving into a larger home this month, so we needed something. That said, I'm a little puzzled. If you read the ordering info it says:
Do we really believe this? I find it hard to understand why they'd do such a huge rollout announcement for something available in limited quantities.
(Optimally I'd like two, but have a hard time pulling the trigger on both right this moment.)
Important: Echo Dot is available in limited quantities. When we sell out of Echo Dot devices, they will no longer be available. You can only order this device using Alexa. You can't order Echo Dot on the Amazon website or Amazon shopping apps.
(Optimally I'd like two, but have a hard time pulling the trigger on both right this moment.)
Mar 3, 2016, 4:02 pm
#53
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
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Important: Echo Dot is available in limited quantities. When we sell out of Echo Dot devices, they will no longer be available. You can only order this device using Alexa. You can't order Echo Dot on the Amazon website or Amazon shopping apps.
Mar 3, 2016, 5:24 pm
#54
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SMF
Programs: MR Platinum
Posts: 407
Ordered an Echo Dot today as soon as I got the email. Been wanting something like that, and didn't want to shell out full price for another Echo.
I kind of believe the limitation, at least for now. Amazon limited Echo orders to one per account for a while, then went to two I think. So there are probably supply limitations, or they lose money on every device sold.
However, I only ordered one as I am sure there will be another iteration/variation out in due time. This has already happened - the Echo Dot got introduced as I waffled about buying a second Echo.
I kind of believe the limitation, at least for now. Amazon limited Echo orders to one per account for a while, then went to two I think. So there are probably supply limitations, or they lose money on every device sold.
However, I only ordered one as I am sure there will be another iteration/variation out in due time. This has already happened - the Echo Dot got introduced as I waffled about buying a second Echo.
Mar 5, 2016, 6:24 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Posts: 314
$90.00 for the Echo Dot Echo Dot : Must use the Amazon Echo or Fire TV to order the device.
Last edited by gfunkdave; Mar 8, 2016 at 2:41 pm Reason: removed referral link
Mar 7, 2016, 8:05 pm
#59
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,447
Amazon Echo
The best thing about Alexa is when the sales associate at the Amazon bookstore by house told her to shut up and she did. 😄