Amazon Echo

I think you'll find most people are like me and the Echo resides in the kitchen. I use it to stream my prime playlists while cooking and as a hands free timer. I really don't use a lot of the other features. Oh, I will use it to reorder items I've ordered off prime every once in a while.

I'm curious if the Dot will work in a small bedroom as an alarm clock / morning news player without hooking up to external speakers.

Anyone get one yet?

PaladinTom wrote:

I'm curious if the Dot will work in a small bedroom as an alarm clock / morning news player without hooking up to external speakers.

Anyone get one yet?

Not until May for me, but I am looking at a similar setup.

For my echo, the primary uses are no phone needed speaker, light control, shopping list, and sometimes weather. The news thing is pretty useless to me. Both my wife and I are getting into the habit.

Echo Dot is tinny as hell. I expected a drop in quality from the full Echo, but this is a bit much. I wanted to use it in my bedroom to play my Prime bedtime music, but my ipad does a better job.

Bummer. I'll probably spring for a second Echo once I get some more home automation things.

sometimesdee wrote:

Echo Dot is tinny as hell. I expected a drop in quality from the full Echo, but this is a bit much. I wanted to use it in my bedroom to play my Prime bedtime music, but my ipad does a better job.

Yeah, they seemed to indicate the dot was basically to use for voice commands or to connect to an external set of speakers. The Tap was the one that was supposed to have good speakers for music on the go.

Just got my Tap this afternoon. Been putting it through its paces. I mostly wanted it as a portable speaker. The Alexa integration was a cool bonus.

So far I'm...disappointed.

Here's the difficulty: we have a Bose Soundlink Mini II. It's a great device. In fact, we've come to love it so much that my wife and I take turns stealing it from each other when we're working in the house. It has a base (like the Tap) that charges it, but you can just lift it off and move it. It's not exactly "portable" for doing stylish things like taking it to the beach as in the Tap marketing, but it's easy to put somewhere else in the house.

So, the Tap purchase for me was meant to stop the in-fighting over the Bose system. And at that it's a huge disappointment. The sound quality is just nowhere near the Bose. I switched from the Bose right to the Tap, and it feels like there's almost no bass in the latter. (It's not that much different in size, although it's quite a bit lighter.) Also, there's a clearly audible hiss at lower volume levels and whenever Alexa speaks. It's really, really annoying me. Plus, the "grill" that you see surrounding the speakers is not metallic, but some dense fabric-y material. It simultaneously feels fine and cheap. I presume it's very stable, but I'm worried I'm going to break it like corrugated cardboard.

Look, maybe I shouldn't have expected Bose-level sound from a $130 piece of kit. However, I didn't expect the hiss, and I did expect better sound than this.

I've only had it for a few hours, and I'm already thinking about inquiring about a return.

I don't know if amazon misadvertises these things or people are wishing for nonexistent features. Admittedly, I am assuming amazon will add inter echo communication in the future, so what do I know.

I am curious how well the dot will work with my existing speakers.

firesloth wrote:

I've only had it for a few hours, and I'm already thinking about inquiring about a return.

That's discouraging. I got the Tap because I actually find not-always-on-microphones a plus. I have kind of a Franken-setup with Google Now, an Android Tablet, and a UE Mini Boom, but the mic in the Mini Boom is terrible (same as with a tablet, if you have music playing it won't hear you). Was hoping to greatly simplify everything with just the Tap.

firesloth wrote:

Tap stuff.

I also have my tap and am not having your experience, but I also think you went in with expectations that the Tap isnt really meant to fulfill. I'd recommend Cnet's review as a solid examination of the pros and cons for those considering the Tap.

Also... no low volume hiss on mine when connected to wifi, my phone, or my tablet.

Found the time to set up my Dot. It's... fine. I put it in my bedroom (my main Echo is between my kitchen and living room and in easy earshot of both) so that I can control the (Philips Hue) lights from there without having to reach for the Echo remote, which I've been keeping on my bedside table for that reason.

Setup was pretty much the same as the main Echo, except that the power cord is a micro-to-full-USB cord with a USB-to-AC adapter. At first I plugged the full-USB end into a wall wart I was already using that has three AC plugs and two USB (neither of which I was using). It wouldn't detect my Wi-Fi that way and no sound came out of the speaker; the manual said that some USB chargers wouldn't provide enough power and to use the provided AC adapter. I didn't want to do that because the included AC adapter is huge and wouldn't fit well behind my bed, which is where the nearest outlet is. I switched it to the other bedside table where I have an Anker USB charging hub that's supposed to detect how much power whatever you've got plugged into it can handle and adjust accordingly (I can attest that it charges my smartphone 2-3 times faster than anything else, so it's apparently doing SOMETHING). That got it working.

I found that if I'm standing roughly equidistant from the main Echo and Dot and speak a command, they're likely to both hear and respond, which can cause some annoying behavior. I fixed that by assigning them both different wake words, which works okay but is slightly annoying having to remember which is which. It'd be nice if they'd coordinate with each other and respond with whichever one seems to be closer to you (as measured by how loud you sound to their microphones), or even let you command one from the other (e.g. speaking "Alexa, play music in the kitchen" into the bedroom Dot). I'm in a pretty small apartment; folks in larger apartments or houses may find that they're able to use both with the same wake word without running into problems depending on how they place them.

On max volume, the Dot speaker is loud enough for an alarm clock or to interact with by voice in an average-sized bedroom; it's too tinny and harsh to be a good music player (an average smartphone's build-in speaker performs better). As far as I can tell, its microphone array is the same as that in the full Echo and seems just as responsive.

If you already have a bluetooth or 3.5mm speaker that you know you like, the Dot will effectively add Echo functionality to it, which is cool. Otherwise, you're probably better off dropping the extra Benjy and springing for a full Echo, unless your budget is REALLY tight and you don't care about playing music with it.

hbi2k wrote:

On max volume, the Dot speaker is loud enough for an alarm clock or to interact with by voice in an average-sized bedroom; it's too tinny and harsh to be a good music player (an average smartphone's build-in speaker performs better). As far as I can tell, its microphone array is the same as that in the full Echo and seems just as responsive.

I agree completely. Since I don't already have nice speakers in my bedroom, and want to save precious space, I've handed my Dot to Absurd to play with in his office. I may get another Echo later, but for now, my iPad continues to be my alarm clock and music player.

sometimesdee wrote:

I agree completely. Since I don't already have nice speakers in my bedroom, and want to save precious space, I've handed my Dot to Absurd to play with in his office. I may get another Echo later, but for now, my iPad continues to be my alarm clock and music player.

I'm actually trying to get my Amazon Tap to play nice with my alarm clock tablet.

I want to be able to launch Play Music and Google Now commands. I thought that once I paired it via bluetooth, I could use the microphone to launch Google Now, but that doesn't seem to work. A bummer, since most of my music is currently in Google Play, which there isn't Alexa support for.

Has anyone figured out an Alexa setup where you can trigger Google now on a phone or tablet? Essentially, to get use out of the Echo microphones? That was one of the things that intrigued me. Things like the UE Boom have mics, but they suckkkkkkk.

Specifically, this review made me think it was possible:

http://phandroid.com/2015/03/31/amazon-echo-review/

There is a supported workaround though. As I mentioned above, the Amazon Echo does have Bluetooth capabilities, so you can easily pair your Echo with your phone by saying “Alexa pair with my phone” to being the pairing process. Then, you can say “ok Google listen to [insert your favorite artist or genre of music here] and music will play from your phone, to the Echo. The best part, you can now control the music being played from Google Play Music, with your Echo. Just say “Alexa next song” and Play Music will skip ahead, etc. This does work great, though it’s kind of silly to use two device to accomplish with what would be preferably done on just one.

Can anyone confirm that works with the Echo/Dot, and not the tap?

Thin_J wrote:

Also... no low volume hiss on mine when connected to wifi, my phone, or my tablet.

I definitely hear a hiss. If you're within a few feet of the tap, you can't miss it. You don't have that, Thin_J? I might return it for another one if that's the case.

Upon getting my Tap, my instinct was to always have the microphone button side facing me.

However, if you turn it "backwards", the mic is actually perfectly positioned to activate with your forefinger. Similar to a fingerprint scanner on a phone. Just seems like a more natural grip to me than bracing it and pushing it from the front, or grasping it in a way that lets you use your thumb.

Too bad this makes the play/pause controls on top upside down too.

It's too bad Alexa and Google Now/Chromecast don't play well together. Now that I have my entire house rigged up with Chromecast Audio, controlling it with Alexa would be a lot of fun.

Edit:

The Tap is growing on me. I'm starting to use it like people used portable radios way back when. Since I no longer have a car or commute, I don't really listen to many podcasts or much radio. I read one review that knocked the Tap having a manual button since you could just use your phone (Siri or Google Now), but as someone who has setup Google Now to do all sorts of extra crap with Tasker, even Google Now+Tasker isn't as powerful or elegant as Alexa.

Something about how easy it is to say "Play WTUL/WWOZ/NPR" or other radio stations makes me that much more likely to do just that, instead of fiddling with an app directly. And I've been listening to the custom news feed every morning.

I get that some folks already do that with the Echo, but I literally carry the Tap around the house with me. Doing chores (laundry/dishes), chilling on the couch, even for some tunes while taking a shower.

ccoates wrote:

I get that some folks already do that with the Echo, but I literally carry the Tap around the house with me. Doing chores (laundry/dishes), chilling on the couch, even for some tunes while taking a shower.

I've considered getting a Tap for exactly that function.

I wouldn't suggest Tapping in the shower.

Wow, this sounds great:

Alexa Comes to Pebble Core

“Experiencing Amazon Alexa on-the-go right from Pebble Core is game-changing for wearable technology,” said Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky. “We’re longtime fans of the powerful voice services Alexa delivers, and it only gets smarter and more useful over time. It’s an approach we embrace with our own products.”

I'm still not sold on speaking to devices when I'm out-and-about though. Outside of my home, I really only talk to Siri in my car.

Damn that could be a nice little running companion.

Because, well, just because, I ended up getting one of each Echo. I've had the regular Echo for the longest, and use it in my livingroom. this one gets the most use. I regularly use it as a timer, listen to music, sometimes books, and sometimes pair with my phone to listen to something. I've also been known to ask random questions that pop into my head as I think of them, or ask it how to spell words as I'm typing.

The Dot is in my bedroom, and I mainly use it in the morning. It can work pretty well as an alarm clock, but I was hoping I'd be able to be more specific about an alarm. I'd like to wake up to a playlist, album in my Amazon library, or a specific radio station via Tune-In. I also listen to my news Flash Briefing in the morning as I'm getting ready.

Because I couldn't decide between the Tap and Dot, and I liked things about both, I also got the tap. I'm using this at work as a basic Bluetooth speaker when I need it, and I may occasionally ask it stuff throughout the day. I just got it setup at work though, and it's not too reliable because our work network is HORRIBLE.

Oh, which actually brings me to a question I was trying to figure out today. Rather than using our crappy network, I thought about using my iPhone's hotspot feature for the Tap's wireless. It's supposed to work, and I have the updated firmware. When looking at the list of available networks, the instructions on Amazon's website says I should see an option to "Use this device as a hotspot." I don't. Any ideas?

The Echo shouldn't care that it's connecting to a hotspot or not. It should just see your phone as another access point.

Are you using the Echo app to set up wifi on the same phone that is the hotspot? I remember hearing of those conflicts.

Not sure if I can resist this $130 price tag today.

I couldn't

TempestBlayze wrote:

I couldn't

I could!

Stupid saving for a downpayment.

Tanglebones wrote:
TempestBlayze wrote:

I couldn't

I could!

Stupid saving for a downpayment.

Pffft responsibilities.

I have two (an Echo and a Tap) and I luurrrrvvve them!

For any new Echo owners, I know everyone here is techie, but I wrote a cheat sheet for my Mom of the basics that may come in handy for your families.

(Spoilered for length)

Spoiler:

Audio Controls:
Play, Pause, Stop, Next Track, Previous Track, Shuffle On/Off

Bluetooth:
Pair Bluetooth.
Disconnect Bluetooth device.

Shopping List:
Add <flour> to my shopping list.

Reminders:
Remind me to <feed the horses>.

Weather:
What’s the weather like <tomorrow>?
Tell me the forecast for <this weekend>.
Tell me the temperature outside right now.
Give me this week’s forecast.
What the weather like in <Saratoga, New York>?

Kitchen:
How many <ounces> in a <cup>?
Convert <two cups> to <ounces>.

Timers and Alarms:
Set a timer for <5 minutes>.
Set another timer for <1 hour>.
How much time is left?
Cancel timer.
Stop.
Set an alarm for <today at 6:53 PM>
Set a recurring alarm for <weekdays at 6:00 AM>.

News:
Give me my news brief.
What’s in the news today?
What movies are playing?
When is the movie <Civil War> playing?

Amazon.com:
Re-order <dog food> from Amazon.
Buy more <toothpaste>.
Where’s my stuff? (package tracking)

Pandora:
Play Pandora.
Next track.
Thumbs <up>.
Play the station <workout> on Pandora.
Shuffle <on>.
What song is this?
New station <Billy Joel> on Pandora.

Spotify:
Play Spotify.
Next track.
Play the playlist <favorites> on Spotify.
Play the album <Hamilton> on Spotify.
Shuffle <on>.

Radio:
Play <WALK 97.5> on TuneIn

Misc:
Tell me a joke.
How do you spell <sassafras>?
Tell me about <Star Wars>. (Wikipedia)
How tall is the Empire State Building?

PaladinTom wrote:

I have two (an Echo and a Tap) and I luurrrrvvve them!

For any new Echo owners, I know everyone here is techie, but I wrote a cheat sheet for my Mom of the basics that may come in handy for your families.

(Spoilered for length)

Spoiler:

Spotify:
Play Pandora.

Probably a typo, but LOL.

lunchbox12682 wrote:
PaladinTom wrote:

I have two (an Echo and a Tap) and I luurrrrvvve them!

For any new Echo owners, I know everyone here is techie, but I wrote a cheat sheet for my Mom of the basics that may come in handy for your families.

(Spoilered for length)

Spoiler:

Spotify:
Play Pandora.

Probably a typo, but LOL.

Ayup! Thanks.

Thanks Pally. That's a great sheet!

I can't. I could always use another Alexa.