Amazon Echo – What is it?

For those that do not know Amazon Echo & Amazon Dot are hands-free, voice-controlled devices. Using the smart voice assistant Alexa to carry out tasks such as play music, control smart home devices, provide factual information, read the news, set alarms and a great deal more.

There are those who are sceptical about gadgets in the home – working in technology I always enjoy a gadget to play with and at J & J Systems we regularly get a new techy toy to review.

Already a regular Amazon user, with an Amazon prime account, it was logical for me to trial a Dot.  When I was given the Amazon Dot some months ago, I found the small round black gadget very easy to setup in conjunction with the Amazon app on my Android phone and to link to my Amazon account.

The first and easiest thing to do was to ask ‘Alexa’, one of the names which Amazon has assigned the female voice, to play some music.  The obliging computer can select music from your Amazon playlists or if you like to add Spotify you can play any track from the streaming music site.

The Skills which the Amazon gadgets are gaining are increase week by week.  Many see Amazon as growing its industry and as such are sceptical about the use of these Internet enabled things (IOT).

How did Alex echo help me?

In December I was due for an operation on my foot (Hallux Valgus correction), this would render me almost immobile for the first week or so after the operation. Moving forward, non-weight bearing on one leg for close to two months, having to use crutches to get about.

For those who don’t know, or not thought about it.  When carrying your body on crutches you cannot carry much else.  Even being inventive with a rucksack, carrying tea cups is less manageable!  Though Alexa could not help me with carrying tea, suddenly she became my friend in many ways.

I have linked my living room & bedroom lights using ‘LightwaveRF’ to my Wi-Fi at home and with the addition of the LightwaveRF Skill before I knew it I was able to turn the lights on or off, or dim them by simply asking Alexa – hands free.  With a device in each room, it can cause amusement turning lights on and off whilst members of the family are not expecting it!

Playing music to either the Dot or, my newer Echo device is possible simply by asking her.  Though a clever individual discovered that by saying “Alexa Volume 10” I could not make her hear me to turn the volume down, this caused amusement several times and not for me.

I will not tell the same individual that they can control my Thermostat as soon my heating will be set to a paltry 17 degrees far to regularly.

Alex and the Family – My little helper

There are plenty of Skills available and with some practice and a little research, its possible to get News Headlines from your favourite papers or News channel. As well as playing many main stream radio stations – including my recent favourite Radio Kent using the RadioPlayer skill.

Without doubt Alexa & her Amazon Echo & Amazon Dot proved more than useful to me whilst somewhat incapacitated. Though I could live without it, certainly it enhanced my period of recuperation.

My daughter benefited from her Dot when suffering sickness, listening to an Audible Book I bought her  as she wasn’t well enough to  watch TV.   Another  small asset  that  she felt  happier in her  poorly state.

For the  Dyslexic and poorly sighted Audible books from a voice activated device could prove really helpful in a home.

For those that don’t know – you can give Alexa a different name, including Computer, Amazon or Echo, sadly you can’t give it a name of your own choice.

Be careful as there have been instances of children ordering goods from Amazon, so its worth switching off Voice Purchasing in the App Settings.

With Skills to link to my Nest Thermostat and LightWaveRF the Internet of Things in my own home. Proving very helpful to daily life not just a passing fad.

Top Uses for Alexa – from J & J Systems ;

I asked the office, as all the engineers have an Echo Dot, if they could give me their favourite uses for their Dots. From that I received mixed reviews;

1. Makes a good door stop
2. Best used to manage  a  To-Do  List
3. Ideal for getting IMDB Ratings  before watching a  film
4. Turning on the  electric blanket before bed
5. Switching Lights on &  Playing Music
6. Local  Weather and  Traffic Report before leaving for work

Then interestingly two of the youngest  family members of the crew had great uses; including being reported as being able to turn on the TV, find  a particular programme to watch. Also listen to particular children’s music tracks, or more inventively when sent to have quiet time for two minutes, using  Alexa as a Timer  to allow return to play……

Would you like a chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot?