Amazon Echo
Apr 27, 2016, 7:17 pm
#77
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
The downside of living in a multi-person Echo household.
Me: Alexa, play Puccini on Spotify.
[Alexa starts playing heavy metal.]
Me: Alexa, play Tosca on Spotify.
[Alexa starts playing something that isn't opera.]
Me: Alexa, play Verdi on Spotify.
[Alexa starts playing something else that still isn't opera.]
...
Any guesses as to who was controlling Alexa? Hint: It wasn't me.
Me: Alexa, play Puccini on Spotify.
[Alexa starts playing heavy metal.]
Me: Alexa, play Tosca on Spotify.
[Alexa starts playing something that isn't opera.]
Me: Alexa, play Verdi on Spotify.
[Alexa starts playing something else that still isn't opera.]
...
Any guesses as to who was controlling Alexa? Hint: It wasn't me.
Apr 28, 2016, 6:03 pm
#79
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
Aug 8, 2016, 9:32 am
#80
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Dirt Status w/ All
Posts: 5,040
Echo ($129) & Tap ($79) On Sale 8/8/16
For those interested in jumping into or expanding Alexa's world, Echo and Tap are on sale today at several online and B&M merchants including:
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy (But Tap is $99)
B&H Photo
Lowes
Staples
eBags
I went with a Tap from eBags to compliment the Echo I picked up on Prime Day. It is $79.99 on eBags, but not taxed for me. I also had $3 in points. All of my Amex cards had $10 back on $50 at eBags. Coupons are not allowed, but the Amex Offer already gave me the acknowledgement e-mail. For another bonus I went through the Chase Ultimate Rewards mall so hopefully I will get another 8 points/$ in UR even though I used an Amex to purchase.
My final price will be $66.92 with another $4 in eBags points, $10 in UR points and $1.50 in MR points for future use.
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy (But Tap is $99)
B&H Photo
Lowes
Staples
eBags
I went with a Tap from eBags to compliment the Echo I picked up on Prime Day. It is $79.99 on eBags, but not taxed for me. I also had $3 in points. All of my Amex cards had $10 back on $50 at eBags. Coupons are not allowed, but the Amex Offer already gave me the acknowledgement e-mail. For another bonus I went through the Chase Ultimate Rewards mall so hopefully I will get another 8 points/$ in UR even though I used an Amex to purchase.
My final price will be $66.92 with another $4 in eBags points, $10 in UR points and $1.50 in MR points for future use.
Sep 16, 2016, 2:48 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
Programs: KE Skypass, Morning Calm
Posts: 1,655
The 2nd generation Amazon Echo Dot became available for $49.99 a couple days ago. Buy 5, get one free. I think they're supposed to ship October 20.
Last edited by Rampo; Sep 16, 2016 at 3:02 pm
Nov 11, 2016, 9:20 am
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,231
I've had my Echo for about four months now and, while I like using it to play music and control the lights in the bedroom, I'm still not sure it's really a requirement or even a major convenience. What do people use their Echos for?
Nov 11, 2016, 11:42 am
#83
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
Before moving in together, Mr. CE liked to tease me that he's perfectly capable of turning lights on an off himself. He's come around.
Kitchen uses:
1. As a cooking timer
2. To add things to our shopping list (very useful for a multi-person household)
3. To listen to music or news, since we don't have a TV in that room
4. To silence our Nest Protect when cooking
Living room:
1. To listen to music
2. To turn all living room lights on and off
3. To settle arguments
4. As an alarm/timer
Bedroom:
1. As an alarm clock
2. To turn off bedroom lights and hallway lights
3. To listen to music
4. To adjust the thermostat
We don't yet have the Echo integrated into our TV, but I'd really like to get to the point where we can use it to search for shows on TV...remote controls are inefficient!
Nov 15, 2016, 12:50 pm
#84
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
We're now up to 3: Kitchen, living room and master bedroom.
Before moving in together, Mr. CE liked to tease me that he's perfectly capable of turning lights on an off himself. He's come around.
Kitchen uses:
1. As a cooking timer
2. To add things to our shopping list (very useful for a multi-person household)
3. To listen to music or news, since we don't have a TV in that room
4. To silence our Nest Protect when cooking
Living room:
1. To listen to music
2. To turn all living room lights on and off
3. To settle arguments
4. As an alarm/timer
Bedroom:
1. As an alarm clock
2. To turn off bedroom lights and hallway lights
3. To listen to music
4. To adjust the thermostat
We don't yet have the Echo integrated into our TV, but I'd really like to get to the point where we can use it to search for shows on TV...remote controls are inefficient!
Before moving in together, Mr. CE liked to tease me that he's perfectly capable of turning lights on an off himself. He's come around.
Kitchen uses:
1. As a cooking timer
2. To add things to our shopping list (very useful for a multi-person household)
3. To listen to music or news, since we don't have a TV in that room
4. To silence our Nest Protect when cooking
Living room:
1. To listen to music
2. To turn all living room lights on and off
3. To settle arguments
4. As an alarm/timer
Bedroom:
1. As an alarm clock
2. To turn off bedroom lights and hallway lights
3. To listen to music
4. To adjust the thermostat
We don't yet have the Echo integrated into our TV, but I'd really like to get to the point where we can use it to search for shows on TV...remote controls are inefficient!
Nov 17, 2016, 5:35 pm
#85
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
We also use SmartThings. If I'm being disciplined, I add devices -- like bulbs -- to ST first and then use the Echo to discover them. For bulbs I used to use the GE Link but have had problems with them playing nice with ST. Cree Connected bulbs work well with ST. Separate from that, we use the TP-Link Smart Plug for lamps that don't use bulbs regularly available in smart systems Right now our "living room" group (created through Echo, not ST) consists of two TP-Link-connected lamps. Yesterday I hoped to add a ceiling fixture with two Cree bulbs but we ran into some fixture installation issues, so that hasn't happened yet.
Our condo is 90 years old, so we've had some hiccups with smart switches, which would be my optimal solution. For example, my master bath has four light switches -- two by the door that operate lights in half the room and two by the vanity that operate lights in the other half. Because there are 10 bulbs involved -- of varieties that aren't always available in smart bulb options -- I hope to ultimately have four smart switches, and then set up an IFTTT rule where if one switched is flipped, the lights controlled by the other three switches also turn on.
How have you tried to create groups? And what's your setup look like?
Nov 17, 2016, 9:52 pm
#86
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
I wish I had a short answer for you.
We also use SmartThings. If I'm being disciplined, I add devices -- like bulbs -- to ST first and then use the Echo to discover them. For bulbs I used to use the GE Link but have had problems with them playing nice with ST. Cree Connected bulbs work well with ST. Separate from that, we use the TP-Link Smart Plug for lamps that don't use bulbs regularly available in smart systems Right now our "living room" group (created through Echo, not ST) consists of two TP-Link-connected lamps. Yesterday I hoped to add a ceiling fixture with two Cree bulbs but we ran into some fixture installation issues, so that hasn't happened yet.
Our condo is 90 years old, so we've had some hiccups with smart switches, which would be my optimal solution. For example, my master bath has four light switches -- two by the door that operate lights in half the room and two by the vanity that operate lights in the other half. Because there are 10 bulbs involved -- of varieties that aren't always available in smart bulb options -- I hope to ultimately have four smart switches, and then set up an IFTTT rule where if one switched is flipped, the lights controlled by the other three switches also turn on.
How have you tried to create groups? And what's your setup look like?
We also use SmartThings. If I'm being disciplined, I add devices -- like bulbs -- to ST first and then use the Echo to discover them. For bulbs I used to use the GE Link but have had problems with them playing nice with ST. Cree Connected bulbs work well with ST. Separate from that, we use the TP-Link Smart Plug for lamps that don't use bulbs regularly available in smart systems Right now our "living room" group (created through Echo, not ST) consists of two TP-Link-connected lamps. Yesterday I hoped to add a ceiling fixture with two Cree bulbs but we ran into some fixture installation issues, so that hasn't happened yet.
Our condo is 90 years old, so we've had some hiccups with smart switches, which would be my optimal solution. For example, my master bath has four light switches -- two by the door that operate lights in half the room and two by the vanity that operate lights in the other half. Because there are 10 bulbs involved -- of varieties that aren't always available in smart bulb options -- I hope to ultimately have four smart switches, and then set up an IFTTT rule where if one switched is flipped, the lights controlled by the other three switches also turn on.
How have you tried to create groups? And what's your setup look like?
For lights, I set up a few zones where timers, dimming, and using an app is the most convenient. Living room, kitchen table, dining room corner, the boys' playroom, their rooms, and porch. Most everything is on a timer for convenience, but the ability to control everything with Echo or Siri (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV) is really cool. But Echo is where I run into issues for some reason. Individual lights work perfectly, but the groupings (like the living room) don't seem to respond well.
The boys love being able to turn their lights low and blue at night rather than needing nightlights.
Nov 19, 2016, 3:46 pm
#88
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,655
I try to keep automation limited in scope and as simple as possible. No automated locks, garage door, etc. I just don't trust external access to the internet.
For lights, I set up a few zones where timers, dimming, and using an app is the most convenient. Living room, kitchen table, dining room corner, the boys' playroom, their rooms, and porch. Most everything is on a timer for convenience, but the ability to control everything with Echo or Siri (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV) is really cool. But Echo is where I run into issues for some reason. Individual lights work perfectly, but the groupings (like the living room) don't seem to respond well.
The boys love being able to turn their lights low and blue at night rather than needing nightlights.
For lights, I set up a few zones where timers, dimming, and using an app is the most convenient. Living room, kitchen table, dining room corner, the boys' playroom, their rooms, and porch. Most everything is on a timer for convenience, but the ability to control everything with Echo or Siri (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV) is really cool. But Echo is where I run into issues for some reason. Individual lights work perfectly, but the groupings (like the living room) don't seem to respond well.
The boys love being able to turn their lights low and blue at night rather than needing nightlights.
Nov 21, 2016, 11:57 am
#89
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
I got a 2nd gen Dot bundled with a Hue lighting kit. I also picked up two additional Hue bulbs. I have to say that I really am scratching my head on it, though. Overly cumbersome. Light switches are simple and they work 100% of the time. Not 80% and sometimes you have to say the command again unless right now there is a hiccup in the internet connection in which case your Echo cannot process your command and you sit there in the dark. Light switch = 100%. Period. No explaining to visitors that they shouldn't use the switch on the lamp to turn it on and off and here is a list of voice commands they should use instead because if they use the switch your preprogrammed lighting pattern isn't going to execute and you'll be sitting there speaking at your voice box like an idiot and get frustrated unable to turn on your light. Nope. Switch. On. Off. Works. Turn lights on and off faster than I can get my needlessly oversized smartphone liberated from my pocket. Love my Echo. Can't stand the Hue.
Dec 13, 2016, 11:38 am
#90
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,786
The 2nd gen Echo Dot is now $39 only. I broke down and got one and it is really really cool. We all got iphone or android in the house but it seem silly to talk to Siri or Google Now on the phone when you already have it in your hand. Asking Alexa seems a lot more natural.