Echo & Alexa Forums

General Category => Amazon Echo Discussion => Topic started by: jwlv on January 30, 2015, 07:35:50 am

Title: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on January 30, 2015, 07:35:50 am
For those of you who have an Echo, you pretty much know what it can and can't do.

What would you like your Echo to do in a future update?

As for me, I would love to see an integration with the Nest Thermostat. That way, I can say, "Alexa, set the temperature to 70 degrees." 
And integration with Belkin Wemo would be nice too, since I have three Wemo Light Switches in my house. "Alexa, turn off the kitchen lights."

Here is an article (and video) from a guy named Zach Feldman who has already integrated the above in his home-brewed system. Call it a hack or whatever, but it seems to work.
http://blog.zfeldman.com/2014-12-28-using-amazon-echo-to-control-lights-and-temperature/


Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: schmigel on February 05, 2015, 12:59:25 am
Just for fun, I would like Alexa to adapt to several voices and dialects. For instance, Mac OSX has several voices (male & female) and dialects (Chinese, Indian, Italian, British, etc.) available for downloading and installation into it's Speech capabilities. When an Alert (the time, an error, etc.) is spoken, it is the voice and gender of my choosing.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: sarkonovich on February 11, 2015, 04:27:52 pm
People have already gotten it to interface with some other programs. Check out Alexaho.me -- that's a link to a GithHub repository.

I'm using the Ruby program there to have Echo control my lights (Philips Hue) and Nest Thermostat, and to control my 14,000 song music library, using the great JRiver  software.

I also control Wemo switches with Alexa, though the software on the GitHub link isn't set up for it. But it's trivial to have certain keywords send a command to a Wemo switch to turn it on or off!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: zacharyfeldman on February 12, 2015, 02:12:08 pm
Hey guys, that's my blog up there! Glad to answer any questions on the project in the comments section there or to discuss here.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: alot2do on February 12, 2015, 11:50:00 pm
I don't have my Echo yet... but these are some thoughts....

I'd like to Echo to take memos and save them for later oral playback with some type of easy cataloging protocol - so for instance, I might ask for "my note on __" or "my reminder for __" or "my calendar schedule for ___"

Is it currently possible to have echo only respond to one person's voice? I'd like to use Echo in a controlled teaching environment. Also, I have a parrot who will probably quickly learn Alexa's name. That might be funny the first couple of times, but could be a problem. :))





Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: alot2do on February 12, 2015, 11:52:21 pm
Also, I'd like Echo to have a little bit of battery back-up. I'd like to use it for an alarm clock, but that would become problematic and an unreliable alarm clock if the electricity goes out.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Fortunate Son on February 16, 2015, 12:34:25 pm
Also, I'd like Echo to have a little bit of battery back-up. I'd like to use it for an alarm clock, but that would become problematic and an unreliable alarm clock if the electricity goes out.

I hadn't thought of that. Great suggestion!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Fortunate Son on February 16, 2015, 12:50:10 pm
I don't have my Echo yet... but these are some thoughts....

I'd like to Echo to take memos and save them for later oral playback with some type of easy cataloging protocol - so for instance, I might ask for "my note on __" or "my reminder for __" or "my calendar schedule for ___"

Is it currently possible to have echo only respond to one person's voice? I'd like to use Echo in a controlled teaching environment. Also, I have a parrot who will probably quickly learn Alexa's name. That might be funny the first couple of times, but could be a problem. :))
'
Can Echo discern different people's voices? If so, leaving memos for other family members could be really handy and fun!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Jafo on February 16, 2015, 04:58:14 pm
Echo does not recognize different voices, but that would be nice.  You can command it to switch accounts.  I know differentiating people would be pretty hard for Echo to do, so it would be nice if each person could have their own wake word.

Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on February 16, 2015, 06:11:03 pm
You can just get a small UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply aka battery backup) for the Amazon Echo.
You might also attach your DSL/Cable modem and router to the same UPS.

Amazon sells a cheap UPS for $40: http://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP350SLG-Standby-350VA-Compact/dp/B004OR0V2C


Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: alot2do on February 16, 2015, 10:02:22 pm
Excellent! And thanks for the link.

Also, people mentioned that Echo will send your shopping list to your phone... will it send it to kindle fire?

Mine won't come until the end of May, darn it!  I certainly will have a lot of uses ready for it (her) to integrate!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: lowspark on February 19, 2015, 10:01:08 am
I would love Alexa to say "Yes Shawn" in that sexy voice of hers after I say Alexa. Lets make it happen  8)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: robochang on February 22, 2015, 07:15:24 pm
Just received my Echo yesterday and excited to find this forum and the research on the undocumented API!  I have my home theater PC hooked up with Girder (an event listener that executes any command) and I would love Echo to allow me to send commands via voice to control my home theater (and anything else connected to my PC).  It looks like I have a bit of a learning curve with Ruby, but looking forward to getting it to work!  It will be awesome when I can eliminate the need for any home theater remote controls!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ElJay on April 11, 2015, 03:59:30 pm
I just got my Echo yesterday. I love it but I also think it is lacking in many ways. There are so many possibilities for integration. One of the biggest things right now that I see is the lack of readily available knowledge. If I ask alexa what the score to a sports game is she is only able to tell me after the game is finished. At the same time she sends the question to my echo app and I click the link and the question is instantly answered. Why can she just not find the answer on her own? Also with AI like SIRI out, who can answer almost any question that would be readily available on a Wikipedia page, Alexa struggles in comparison. Another good thing to see would be the integration of some general knowledge recipes, like at what temp/how long do you cook chiken for, how do you make cookies. That information is readily available on the internet and shouldn't be hard to access. Also the integration of a recurring alarm as opposed to having to set it every time. Also some sort of calendar integration would be nice and the ability to change the tone of the alarm clock. I'm sure I will think of more later. Does any one know what coding language the Echo uses? and if there is any way to get in to the code?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ac7ss on April 18, 2015, 04:46:45 am
As most of the heavy lifting is server side, you won't have much luck adding internal features. but you can apply to use the API for new interfaces.
The coding in Echo is C. pretty much a stripped linux kernel. It has busybox, so there may be a way to ssh into it, but I cannot try that for a couple of days.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ClarkeS on April 20, 2015, 09:13:44 am
questions I would like Alexa to answer:
What is your MAC address?
How is the market doing?

Problems I am having
Logging into Pandora  I have logged into my account in a browser,  but the same entries in the EA get "unrecognized email or Pass word".
Music.  Alexa tells me I have no rolling stones (sometimes) when I can play them form the EA
When I request a particular RS song  she says I do not have it when 1) I do  and 2) she had played it earlier.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: heapmaster on April 24, 2015, 07:26:17 pm
In regards to different voices, I have suggested this to amazon already via speech enrollment. Although I would make speech enrollment an option so if they want it to be more customizable and allowing user differentiation. You could use wake word speech authentication via speech enrollment. The wake word via speech enrollment allows Echo to say this is user X, this is user Y. A great example is Voiceprint Identification/Authentication via the wake word (such as user identification such as here: http://www.armorvox.com/armorvox-raspberry-pi/) Then it has the ability for it to differentiate the user (sir or ma'am, or their name) for custom user settings/preferences and user learning as well.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: fnowling on May 17, 2015, 05:00:49 pm
Pair with a blue tooth headset like my Plantronics M70.  Seems pretty straight forward since the remote is almost already that, except for the form factor.  Speaking of form factor, how about a Star Trek style comm badge?

Pair with blue tooth speakers.  Alexa sounds pretty good, for a 2.5 inch speaker , but i'd really have to crank her up in order to hear music in my bed room.

Have Alexa trigger a series of events, such as turning on lights, then playing music, or reading the news and weather when i say 'Alexa, I'm home.'

Use my name when i ask her to open the pod bay doors.

Optionally cut back on the commentary when I ask her to play a piece of music,  I really don't need the name, opus, or key on the clasical stuff, an 'OK' would be fine. I can always ask 'what song is this', later.





Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: vpasq on May 18, 2015, 09:25:09 am
Similar to memos, I would like Echo to store "messages" (say 4-6) that you could leave for another household member to recall when they ask for them, and the ability to delete or acknowledge them on command.  (Or audio memos)

I also would like Echo to be able to give location to location distance (I.e, how far is it from Charleston, SC to Nashville, TN (full state names would be spoken) or even zip code to zip code.

Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on May 18, 2015, 11:54:14 am
I would really like if Echo can tell me information about local stores.

For example, Google maps can locate the nearest McDonald's, Chase Bank, or CVS Pharmacy. And it can also tell me when they open and close for the day.

When I got the Echo months ago, that was one of the first things I tried, "Alexa, what time does CVS Pharmacy close today?"  I was really disappointed when I found out that Echo does not have any information about near by stores.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: fnowling on May 18, 2015, 03:10:28 pm
A couple of more ideas since my last post:
"Alexa, Introduce yourself"  Alexa could then tell my guests about who she is, and what she can do.  Probably better than I can.  lol

"Alexa, How are you?" Alexa could then give me some tech info: like her ip address, the connected SSID, quality of the wifi signal.  Basically I'm looking for any information that would help me trouble shoot technical problems.

Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: bzz on May 20, 2015, 11:45:04 am
echo as baby monitor via app

I would love the ability to use it as a baby monitor or a listening device since it's always listening.  It would be good way to hear what the kids/nanny are up to the times you are not home.  All this would be better if could be turned on via the app so the person near the device would not know. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ac7ss on May 20, 2015, 08:49:41 pm
I would like it to use Google instead of BING.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: PURPLEPANDA999 on May 30, 2015, 09:40:08 pm
I would like to have a choice of voices and names, male as well as female. As a female I'd like to be awakened by a sexy male voice. ;)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ScarlettPhoenix on June 12, 2015, 01:09:19 pm
I've suggested this a few times when I've spoken to CS but I'll post it here as well.
We already have accessibility to the weather.  We need the Echo to give severe weather warnings, just like the crawl does at the bottom of the tv screen. It must be able to incorporate EAS (Emergency Alert System). it shouldn't be that hard to do-she already recognizes zip codes. This would be a boon to many, many people.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jonjanisch on June 12, 2015, 01:36:24 pm
I would really like if Echo can tell me information about local stores.

For example, Google maps can locate the nearest McDonald's, Chase Bank, or CVS Pharmacy. And it can also tell me when they open and close for the day.

When I got the Echo months ago, that was one of the first things I tried, "Alexa, what time does CVS Pharmacy close today?"  I was really disappointed when I found out that Echo does not have any information about near by stores.

+1

I tried this last night to check the closing time of a restaurant.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: phatmass on June 18, 2015, 02:18:21 pm
Two things.

1. I want Alexa to be able to remind me to "pick up the kids" at 3pm. Right now, all I can do is set a generic alarm, but Alexa won't tell me what the alarm is for.

2. I want her to read RSS feeds. I see this working by setting up RSS feeds in the Echo app so Alexa knows which feeds you want read. The ways this could extend the Echo's abilities would be nearly endless.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on June 18, 2015, 03:13:51 pm
Two things.

1. I want Alexa to be able to remind me to "pick up the kids" at 3pm. Right now, all I can do is set a generic alarm, but Alexa won't tell me what the alarm is for.

2. I want her to read RSS feeds. I see this working by setting up RSS feeds in the Echo app so Alexa knows which feeds you want read. The ways this could extend the Echo's abilities would be nearly endless.

I would definitely like the Echo to read something from the web. Not necessarily an RSS feed, but any web page. It should strip all of the HTML/XML tags and just read the plain text. I should be able to set up a few bookmarks, and ask, "Alexa, read bookmark #3."
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: SteveM on June 24, 2015, 12:00:07 am
I'd love for Echo to control my Sonos system.  I think the Echo is a good quality speaker just as it is, but in my own personal side-by-side testing, the Sonos Play:1 speaker is a little better.  And the Echo doesn't begin to approach the quality of the Play:3 or Play:5. But that's fine with me because Echo's real killer app--the true differentiator--is the excellent voice recognition interface.  Sonos doesn't have a voice control system, and it might not really be in their wheelhouse to build or buy one.  Sonos doe have a pretty comprehensive controller app for mobile devices, however.  But Sonos isn't currently monetizing the controller app independent of the entire Sonos system (it is a free download).

So... Amazon has the voice interface and Sonos has speaker quality and power.  It seems (to me, anyway) like a logical and valuable progression for Sonos to make their controller app available to Amazon Echo developers to hook into.  This would add value to the Sonos system and would add value to the Echo, as well.  The Echo would not have to duplicate everything the Sonos app does, but a I'm sure a reasonable subset of the Sonos controller app's functionality could be opened up for voice commands via Echo.

Anybody working on something like this yet... even if it's just a rudimentary hack?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: SteveM on June 24, 2015, 12:14:58 am
I use Skype as my main phone at home.  I cut my landline a couple years ago and Skype's rate beat just about any cell plans I've tried.  I have Skype on 2 computers, currently.  One is a desktop PC in my home office and another is attached to a docked laptop in my kitchen.  They both are tied to the same Skype account, so when someone calls, both computers "ring" and I can answer from either location.  This requires both to be powered up all the time, however.  Skype also requires keyboard or mouse interaction to answer or place calls.  The Echo consumes less power than a full blown laptop or desktop PC, and it's also less expensive, by far. 

I would love to see the Echo enhanced to be able to control my Skype account.  Ideally, this would entail allowing the user to use voice commands to initiate a call or to answer a call. 

Microsoft (who owns Skype) is huge and notoriously protective of their systems.  But it seems to me that they'd be able to benefit significantly by allowing Amazon Echo developers to hook into the most common Skype functions. 

Obviously, there are some interactions that will still be better via keyboard/mouse, but I can think of a very useful subset of Skype functionality that would be enhanced by opening it up to voice control.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Giblet on June 25, 2015, 08:30:55 am
Software:
1) Pair with in-house DLNA music servers (e.g., Netgear ReadyNAS, M$ Windoze, Ubuntu, etc).

2) Philips Hue color scheme setup (from Android maybe) and scheme control.

3) Define custom commands. "Alexa, it's 1999." (Disco music stream starts, Philips Hue light-cycling begins)

4) Advanced status e.g., "Alexa, what are your current DHCP settings?" "Alexa, MAC address."

5) Awareness/interoperability of additional Echoes on the same LAN, each being nameable. "Alexa, ask Uma to tell a joke."

Hardware:
Battery/Ultra-Capacitor power backup of at least 1 minute (time for power to come back or generator to start.)

Ethernet (RJ45) port.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Talisman on June 25, 2015, 10:31:01 am
Good suggestions. I am mainly focused on the using multiple Echos as a group and being able to play the same music on preselected set group areas. "Alexia play music" then just play the music to that one local echo or say "Alexa, play music to whole house." and it would play the same song on all local echos.  Hows that for a programming challenge.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: SteveM on June 25, 2015, 07:26:00 pm
Talisman... it sounds like you're trying to duplicate Sonos (and other similar systems). 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Talisman on June 26, 2015, 08:17:20 am
Yes I am :) and why not it is cheaper than sonas, airplay is great but doesn't have the speakers included. The hardware is there just not the programming.. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Stezyp on July 03, 2015, 09:06:30 am
Also, I'd like Echo to have a little bit of battery back-up. I'd like to use it for an alarm clock, but that would become problematic and an unreliable alarm clock if the electricity goes out.

I use a relatively inexpensive Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) for my critical electronics: router, wireless phone hub, and now, Echo. I use two: one in an office where the router is located and the other in the den/living room for the wireless phone hub and now, Alexa. A quality unit will last five years or more.

Here is San Antonio the outages are usually storm related. The wired AT&T phone always rides through uninterrupted and even the TWC cable system usually does too, as long as the outage is not too widespread. Maintaining telephone and internet connectivities are crucial both for my business and personal needs.

My UPS vendor of choice is CYBERPOWER. An added benefit afforded by UPS is surge and lightning protection. Most quality UPS come with equipment protection replacement warranties as well.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Talisman on July 08, 2015, 01:34:52 pm
How about intergration between echo and Roomba?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: TechFan on July 15, 2015, 02:32:49 pm

I would love to see Sonos integration, as well.  I have more 'old school' Sonos gear (now called Connect and Connect:Amp) and it would be great to have a voice interface for it.  I would also like to see it work with my Harmony remote...though I am not sure how feasible that is.  I think I saw that someone has done something with that using IFTTT, but I haven't had time to look into that yet.  BTW, thanks to whoever is behind this forum.  I just got my Echo and while I like it, I am anxious to do more than get the weather and get funny responses from it!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: chrisfuccione on July 15, 2015, 03:29:22 pm
I would like it if it/she would be able to shut off muisic after a half an hour or an hour.
I also would love it/her to be able to send text messages
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: George Jetson on July 15, 2015, 09:16:07 pm
I would like to provide Echo with some of the stocks that I follow.  I would like to ask Alexa  "How are my stocks doing today?"  I would like to have her tell me that "XYZ company was up $1.00 with the current price of $91.00"
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: George Jetson on July 16, 2015, 09:04:56 am
I would like the ability to choose my own "wake" word. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Y on July 16, 2015, 03:04:08 pm
George,
Here is a video of someone working on the stock quote integration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0YMYzuEOHg
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: joez34 on August 02, 2015, 10:26:36 pm
Any ideas on how to integrate echo with my voicemail?

At least respond to: "Alexa, were there any calls?"
She could respond with the caller ID info from calls for that day?
Maybe have a modem on a Windows or Linux box that can ID the calls and save them in a file somewhere that the Echo could read?
Or even play back voicemail?
Alexa, Play back my messages from today..

Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ScarlettPhoenix on August 04, 2015, 02:09:10 pm
I'd like the ability to set redundant alarms. I use my bedroom Alexa (oh, that sounds so wrong) as my alarm clock. Each night during the week, I have to remind myself to tell her to wake me at 5:30. Why can't I set one alarm for the week and one for weekends?  Is this too much to ask?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: monty617 on August 18, 2015, 11:44:35 am
Hey guys, quite a few of the things people are requesting is possible with direct IFTTT integration. See post http://www.echotalk.org/index.php/topic,180.0.html for details. Little bit of initial setup, but then allows any IFTTT channel to be utilized. I also highly recommend the Hue Bridge for anyone trying to integrate into home automation.

https://github.com/armzilla/amazon-echo-ha-bridge

Hope this info makes someone happy.  ;D
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: daveg on September 07, 2015, 06:44:08 pm
I can't get local AM radio in my area at night, so I often use Tunein on an android device to listen. The Tunein app has sleep timer capability.

One of the reasons I got the Echo was to use Tunein on a wired device so I didn't have to mess with recharging. I was deeply disappointed to find that the Echo has no sleep timer capability whatsoever. I enquired with Amazon customer service and they said that they wished it had a sleep timer also and passed it along to development as a suggestion.

I'm really amazed sometimes at some of the common capabilities that should be there are missing.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: James3857 on September 08, 2015, 09:03:59 am
It would be nice to that a alarm or notification what something is added to you to do list or shopping list.  I have been out and my wife has added something to my list and I had not a clue until I returned home.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on September 08, 2015, 11:46:12 am
It would be nice to that a alarm or notification what something is added to you to do list or shopping list.  I have been out and my wife has added something to my list and I had not a clue until I returned home.
-----------------------------------------------

FYI, you do not need to be home to check your To Do and shopping lists.  You can check them on phone from anywhere you have cell phone or internet connection.  Just open the Alexa app and see them.  You can also edit these lists..

Now that you know this, no more excuses!   ;)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Grumpyjarhead on September 15, 2015, 08:00:56 am
I'll keep it simple. I just want a better sounding Echo. Stereo sound with better quality speakers. If that means that version two needs tube a bit bigger then so be it. Or, offer us a plug in external amp/speaker combo unit.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: monty617 on September 16, 2015, 11:14:36 am
I would like Alexa to pour me a beer  ;D (currently a work in progress)

https://youtu.be/kGRyCPI7pFw (https://youtu.be/kGRyCPI7pFw)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: itskamel on September 22, 2015, 08:25:02 pm
Harmony official support and my WeMo mr. coffee maker.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on September 23, 2015, 12:23:23 am
That would be cool.  "Alexa, make me some coffee!"

 :) :) :)


Harmony official support and my WeMo mr. coffee maker.

Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Talisman on September 23, 2015, 08:23:00 am
I have the wemo coffee pot and it does a fairly good job at making coffee. Every time that it is done brewing I get an alert on my Ipad..
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: giod on September 30, 2015, 03:37:27 pm
set reminders aka calendar by voice.

"Alexa remind me I have a dentist appointment tomorrow at 10am 1 hour in advance."


seems SO Simple.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on September 30, 2015, 04:04:31 pm
I was quite surprised to find out that Alexa doesn't know area codes.
I asked "Alexa, where is area code 529?"   
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: nidomhnail on October 04, 2015, 07:51:38 pm
I want Alexia to  have the option to learn my habits so it helps me.  I would like to benefit from the big data collected about me by Amazon.  If it learns from my shopping list that I buy something every week, it would be nice for Alexia to offer to put the item on my shopping list every week.   If I check the weather, traffic and NPR every weekday morning, it would be nice for Alexia to offer it as an IFTTT.   It is kinda annoying to put eggs on my shopping list when I buy eggs every week.

Why do I need to repeat my routine request?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on October 04, 2015, 09:28:11 pm
Simple, don't take eggs off your shopping list.  We keep milk on it all the time.   We mostly put infrequent items on the list.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: nidomhnail on October 05, 2015, 05:06:49 am
In some households, leaving routine items on the shopping list would work. In other households (buyers are not so coordinated), leaving an item on the list means that two or more people buy it.  If the item is checked, was it checked this week or last week?

The main point of my suggestion is that Amazon is getting data from us on our consumption habits.  This is the kind of data that marketers (and Amazon) love. It may take Alexia several months to learn something but I would find it useful if it offered to share this with me so I can use it.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on October 05, 2015, 01:29:43 pm
In the Alexa app (not Alexia) you can send in suggestions to Amazon regarding the Echo.  Hope you sent this one in.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: dj_skully on October 06, 2015, 12:27:37 am
Are there any plans for the echo to use ADB like the FireTV does?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on October 09, 2015, 07:17:22 pm
FINALLY!!! It's the feature that a lot people have been asking for.
Amazon Echo's new firmware has a sleep timer.
So if you like to listen to music to help you fall asleep, you can set a sleep timer to turn off the music after a certain number of minutes.

Just say something like:
Alexa, play JWLV's playlist.
Alexa, set a sleep timer for 45 minutes.

That's it! :)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ScarlettPhoenix on October 10, 2015, 09:33:53 am
I just sent in my redundant alarms suggestion (for the umpteenth time) since today's milestone was sleep timers.
I'm hoping that redundant alarms "Alexa, set an alarm for 5:30am Monday through Friday every week" will be coming around the bend pretty soon.

*crosses fingers**
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ScarlettPhoenix on October 10, 2015, 09:38:11 am
In some households, leaving routine items on the shopping list would work. In other households (buyers are not so coordinated), leaving an item on the list means that two or more people buy it.  If the item is checked, was it checked this week or last week?

The main point of my suggestion is that Amazon is getting data from us on our consumption habits.  This is the kind of data that marketers (and Amazon) love. It may take Alexia several months to learn something but I would find it useful if it offered to share this with me so I can use it.

I don't know if I want Alexa all up in my business that much (getting data from my consumption habits) but having the choice of leaving items on the list is great. Both my husband and I shop and  we actually have come home with duplicate items simply because one of us already purchased it and didn't delete it from the list.   Maybe a 'stay' or some radio button to activate when you want an item to reappear, yet delete it/grey it out from the current list?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Disabled Echo on October 12, 2015, 06:31:56 pm
Just for giggles I wish the Echo would recognize its own commercials (or ignore them).  It wakes it every time, luckily it's nothing too obnoxious.  But how funny would it be if Alexa said, "Hey I'm on TV!"
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: pn2865 on October 27, 2015, 06:51:47 pm
I would like a "skip forward" or "skip backward" command when listening to podcasts or any song, just like most MP3 players have. Right now, if I listen to half of an hour podcast, I cannot later restart where I left off.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: cfkane on November 01, 2015, 11:56:57 pm
I too would like to see stock prices.
MLS, English and other European soccer scores.
Movie showtimes at local theaters.
days between dates
 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: rptoday on November 12, 2015, 02:46:11 pm
I'd like to see it emulate a Logitech Harmony remote hub. If even just to turn the system on and off would be really cool.

I'd like it to read my Gmail, I'd like it to use my iPhone to make a call and send text messages (fat chance).
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: George Jetson on November 13, 2015, 10:42:29 am
I would like the ability to add my calendar to the Flash News Briefing.  Right now it plays the news you select, along with the local weather.  It would be nice to hear your calendar events for the day following the local weather.   For me this would be a complete Briefing.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Cardynal on November 16, 2015, 08:08:57 am
I'd like to have Alexa be able to read a Word or PDF document aloud. That would help me get prepared to write additional paragraphs after I get done washing dishes.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: hammer51012 on November 29, 2015, 10:37:32 am
I would like it to connect with "https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/" to be able to stream the audio from various Police & Fire departments.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: videodave1 on November 29, 2015, 04:28:08 pm
The the android app @ voice aloud reader can red a pdf from a phone or tablet .I send the audio to the echo by way of Bluetooth.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on November 30, 2015, 03:41:53 am
Being visually impaired, I should have looked into this sooner, so I googled for an app for the iPad, etc., and there is no app needed -- this feature has been part of iOS since iOS 5!  See this link:  http://lifehacker.com/5870185/make-your-iphone-ready-any-text-aloud-with-just-a-few-taps

Easy as pie to setup and to read an email from my iPad on to the Echo.  This is a lot more useful than just using with an Echo; reading long articles for me comes immediately to mind. Thanks for the incentive to look into this.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: txkevin1 on January 08, 2016, 05:49:19 pm
Still getting to know Alexa but here would be my wish list so far....  1.  assign a unique name to replace Alexa.  2.  Ability to set a  recurring Alarm (ie...remind the kids at 6:45 to watch for the bus)  3.  Have Alexa say the title of the Alarm..  (ie "this is your reminder to Check on your Brisket"),  4.  Have Alexa do behind the scenes monitoring of certain things and let you know when they occur (ie.  Alexa, let me know when there is an LSU game on TV within the next 12 hours, or Alexa, let me know when the DOW changes more than 3% compared to the previous close, or Alexa, let me know when a birthday is listed in my calendar for the upcoming week).
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: haj on January 14, 2016, 02:41:34 pm
Id most of all like to be able to make a (local) API call to my echo that then does TTS on whatever string I send... :) (I don't mind if it uses could for TTS, but it would be preferable to use a local call for the API call I guess).

I use TTS in my homeautomation setup, and it would be nicer to use Echo for it.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: brent87 on January 26, 2016, 03:22:58 pm
3 things that seem very doable:
1) ability to pause timers by voice: you can do it now via the app, but would be easier to just ask alexa.  Siri can do it :)

2) Networked echos that can used as an intercom:  "Alexa, tell Luke to come downstairs for dinner" and it would send the voice command "come downstairs for dinner" to a specific echo identified as "luke's".   Really a big gap in the market for a simple wifi intercom that would eliminate shouting all over the house...the wireless intercoms you can get are terrible.  Wired ones cost $thousands.  Bonus would be that my son's would use it for music and the intercom announcement would lower the music so he could actually hear it.

3) bluetooth audio out: Or better yet, airplay (I know this won't happen, but I can dream).  I know this is a popular request, but without it I really don't use the echo much for audio since I already have a whole house surround system that sounds much, much better.  I would use the echo music a lot more (and purchase most music from Amazon) if this was available so they are losing $ by not having it...seems like it should be a simple software solution since bluetooth is already integrated.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on January 26, 2016, 04:59:39 pm
I really like your #2 idea. Voice activated networked intercoms would be a great a convenience! And it seems to be easy enough to do using the same type of programming as the the Simon Says command.

3 things that seem very doable:
1) ability to pause timers by voice: you can do it now via the app, but would be easier to just ask alexa.  Siri can do it :)

2) Networked echos that can used as an intercom:  "Alexa, tell Luke to come downstairs for dinner" and it would send the voice command "come downstairs for dinner" to a specific echo identified as "luke's".   Really a big gap in the market for a simple wifi intercom that would eliminate shouting all over the house...the wireless intercoms you can get are terrible.  Wired ones cost $thousands.  Bonus would be that my son's would use it for music and the intercom announcement would lower the music so he could actually hear it.

3) bluetooth audio out: Or better yet, airplay (I know this won't happen, but I can dream).  I know this is a popular request, but without it I really don't use the echo much for audio since I already have a whole house surround system that sounds much, much better.  I would use the echo music a lot more (and purchase most music from Amazon) if this was available so they are losing $ by not having it...seems like it should be a simple software solution since bluetooth is already integrated.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: socceteer on January 29, 2016, 07:57:14 pm
I would like to have Alexa control:
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: PaulKTF on January 30, 2016, 10:31:58 am
I wish it would say "A.M" or "P.M" after saying the time.

EDIT: For those wondering, I want it to specify A.M or P.M because I have low vision and can't see the small A.M/P.M indicator light (or indicator or whatever) on a standard digital alarm clock. Also, I like to keep my bedroom dark to avoid the bright sunlight which bothers my eyes.

This feature would also be very useful for those who are totally blind and can't see sunlight at all and depend on a clock to tell them if it's morning or night if they have an awkward sleep/wake schedule.

Since a standard digital alarm clock indicates if it's A.M or P.M then I think the Amazon Echo's voice ought to as well. There's really no reason not to do that.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: fstbusa on February 01, 2016, 08:36:41 am
I wish it would say "A.M" or "P.M" after saying the time.

Do you not know whether its am or pm?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on February 01, 2016, 11:56:54 am
I wish it would say "A.M" or "P.M" after saying the time.

Do you not know whether its am or pm?

after a bender?????    :-) 

seriously,  I work nights so there are times when I get up I really do not know if it is am or pm when I first get up - especially on weekends.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 01, 2016, 03:01:26 pm
@PaulKTF

Do you live in the land of the midnight sun? 
Do you also want Alexa to make you breakfast if it is AM, or dinner if it is PM?

Seriously, put a digital clock on your bedside table.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on February 01, 2016, 08:31:45 pm
Hehe. There's been a few times when I woke up and saw 5 or 6 o'clock on my clock and wasn't sure if it was morning or night.

I wish it would say "A.M" or "P.M" after saying the time.

Do you not know whether its am or pm?

after a bender?????    :-) 

seriously,  I work nights so there are times when I get up I really do not know if it is am or pm when I first get up - especially on weekends.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 02, 2016, 01:37:59 am
So, the real problem is that your clock, (not the Echo) does not indicate AM or PM.  Time to toss out your analog wind-up clock and replace it with a digital clock that DOES indicate AM or PM.  Mine does.  ::)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on February 02, 2016, 05:11:51 am
So, the real problem is that your clock, (not the Echo) does not indicate AM or PM.  Time to toss out your analog wind-up clock and replace it with a digital clock that DOES indicate AM or PM.  Mine does.  ::)

It is still an echo want for the person who asked for it.    I mean if you are going to say put a clock by the bed, might as well say, use the light switches or get online to check the weather or do anything that can be done on the echo manually.  It is a valid want whether you think so or not. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 02, 2016, 06:02:52 pm
[quote author=renegade600 It is still an echo want for the person who asked for it.    I mean if you are going to say put a clock by the bed, might as well say, use the light switches or get online to check the weather or do anything that can be done on the echo manually.  It is a valid want whether you think so or not.
[/quote]

I did NOT say it was not a valid Echo want.  Can't you tell when someone is joking around here?  Don't take this chit-chat so seriously. I sure as heck don't.

And, just so folks know:   what we say we want in this thread does not go on to Amazon.  If we want any Amazon product to do something new or differently, we have to contact Amazon, not this forum.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: kejones on February 03, 2016, 03:28:36 pm
I'd like to see a remote with intercom capabilities.  That is, a small, 'slave' echo that I could put, say, in the basement and then say, "Alexa, play radio 105 in basement", or, "Alexa, tell basement it's time for dinner" - the latter command would relay the message "it's time for dinner" to the basement slave.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: PURPLEPANDA999 on February 03, 2016, 04:41:47 pm
I would like to be able to download different voices. Would love a male voice with an English accent.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on February 03, 2016, 04:55:30 pm

I did NOT say it was not a valid Echo want.  Can't you tell when someone is joking around here?  Don't take this chit-chat so seriously. I sure as heck don't.

And, just so folks know:   what we say we want in this thread does not go on to Amazon.  If we want any Amazon product to do something new or differently, we have to contact Amazon, not this forum.

actually you did say it was not a valid want just by telling them to use a clock radio in several posts  There was nothing in your postings indicated that you were teasing.  So if you are going to tease you need to do a better job indicating such or others will take it seriously since nobody can read minds. 

As far as what is said in this thread, you are right, it does not go to amazon but it does give suggestions so maybe others will think it is also a good idea and also go to Amazon about it.   The more requests for a want to amazon, the better chance of it being implemented if techincally possible. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 03, 2016, 05:37:15 pm

@renegade600

I see that my first comment about a clock was inadvertently addressed to comments  from JWLV, not from Paul, the OP.  My error.  The inference that I implied the OPs want was invalid is your interpretation.

In any event, this is not the sort of thing to keep going back and forth about in here.  I have no further comments to make about the clock issue.

And, (I am not kidding now) BTW, who appointed you Hall Monitor of this useful, albeit obscure little forum?  Please chill out.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: PaulKTF on February 04, 2016, 11:13:48 am
I'd like to see a remote with intercom capabilities.  That is, a small, 'slave' echo that I could put, say, in the basement and then say, "Alexa, play radio 105 in basement", or, "Alexa, tell basement it's time for dinner" - the latter command would relay the message "it's time for dinner" to the basement slave.

That is an awesome idea! I would love to have that feature! Did you send it in to Amazon directly via the App? You should.

I forget if I already posted this in this thread, but I'd like to be able to set the alarm to wake me to a specific IHeartRadio or TuneIn station instead of the current short musical tone alarm(s).
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: nycomet on February 13, 2016, 08:29:07 am
I would like multiple Echo's to sync. For example, if I have one Echo on the main floor near the kitchen, a second Echo upstairs in my bedroom and a thrid in the lower lever family room, they should all connect and function as if they were one Echo (like the Borg do on Star TrekThe Next Generation), not three separate Echos.

The next thing I would like is for the Echo app on my phone to be updated so that I can speak to my Echo via the phone app (similar to the way I speak to Siri). This feature could and should be added to the Amazon Echo app. Amazon appears to have discontinued the Echo remote. Why not add that functionality to the phone app?

It is also annoying that Harmony Hub activities that I set up to control my TV system (Harmony Hub --> Connected to Smartthing Hub--> Connected to Echo) execute perfectly when I voice command Alexa to perform a Harmony activity ie: (Alexa, turn on the History Channel) . HOWEVER, more than half the time, Alexa proclaims that the command does not work on that device -- YET IT DOES. This issue must be something simple for the software engineers to rectify.

Anyway, that is my input for now.

I love my Echo and I use it constantly. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: JohninCT on February 15, 2016, 12:12:05 pm
I'd like to see radio station presets e.g., "Alexa, play preset one on tunein". It usually takes a couple of trys to get Alexa to find the right radio station, so this would be a big improvement for me.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 15, 2016, 02:26:34 pm
There ARE presets you can add to the Alexa app.  Go into TuneIn on the app and you can add any station Now Playing to your Favorites list in TuneIn app.  I have quite a few added'  Just Google for this info and you will find instructions to do so.

No speaking to Alexa required, just tap the station icon you want to play.

When asking Alexa to play a certain station using this example format: "Alexa, play TuneIn station KPLU" works well. If you want to hear last station played (even if after many hours), just say, "Alexa, play last station", and it will play KPLU again.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: JohninCT on February 15, 2016, 08:40:49 pm
Thanks, I saw this and agree it's a pretty good feature and one that I will use; however, that feature is the same as I have on a WiFi radio's remote. Speaking the preset number would be a feature I'd appreciate and use.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 16, 2016, 12:06:50 am
Personally, my mind's memory bank is already full of minutia like my user names and passwords, so adding TuneIn station numbers is a bit of overfill. I find that seeing station logos and icons in Alexa app works just fine, as does speaking to tell Alexa what station to play (if one phrases the question correctly), which is where this conversation began!  If you can say a number, then say the station name correctly.  ;)  (Now, what was that station name? Or even worse, its preset number?)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on February 16, 2016, 06:17:28 am
Thanks, I saw this and agree it's a pretty good feature and one that I will use; however, that feature is the same as I have on a WiFi radio's remote. Speaking the preset number would be a feature I'd appreciate and use.

That would be a great feature.  Just because one person mind memory bank is already overfilled does not mean everyone is.  In fact most are probably not :-)  The feature would actually make things simpler since so many radio stations have the same number, use the same nickname and more.   Some combinations of letters in call signs are tongue twisters so having preset numbers would help. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 16, 2016, 02:39:14 pm
Maybe the next iteration of the Echo can have station pushbuttons like a car radio.  Let's have an LCD display, too. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: PaulKTF on February 17, 2016, 10:25:30 am
God help you if you say the station frequency number but Alexa doesn't understand. You have to memorize the call letters of your stations and even then Alexa doesn't always understand them right!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: yetisaw on February 17, 2016, 01:44:39 pm
A sleep timer would be awesome for night time music or books.  "Alexa play pandora sublime for two hours". 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: PaulKTF on February 17, 2016, 02:26:50 pm
Can't you already do this by having it play whatever you want and then setting the sleep timer as a second command?

So the first command would be whatever you say to get it to play Sublime on Pandora (hope it doesn't play it the "wrong way"- ha ha ha!) and the second command would be "Alexa, set sleep time for 2 hours".
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on February 17, 2016, 06:03:32 pm
Exactly, it has a sleep timer.  Try it beforehand; play a station, then tell Alexa to set sleep time for one minute, and it will turn off in one minute.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Daithi on March 15, 2016, 04:35:12 pm
The #1 feature I want added to the Amazon Echo/Alexa is the ability to schedule a command she can already do.

For example--

"Alexa, at 11:00 pm, turn off my living room lights."

"Alexa, on weekdays at 6:00 am, play my cool jazz station."

"Alexa, on March 24th at 7:30 am, Simon says 'Remember that today is your dad's birthday.'"
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: eneisch on March 16, 2016, 11:22:47 am
Most wanted features for me at the moment are recurring alarm and wake to music/radio station.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on March 23, 2016, 11:06:23 am
just realized a feature I want - the ability to use the echo when the internet is down!!!! 

Last night my internet went down and they just now fixed it - all because a new neighbor on the other half of the duplex decided they wanted to steal my cable tv.  They got a bit of a surprised though, I am a cord cutter  :-)  but they did mess up my internet.  Did not realized how much I relied on Alexa. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on March 23, 2016, 12:45:17 pm
just realized a feature I want - the ability to use the echo when the internet is down!!!!

You might as well wish for world peace while you're at it.  ;)

Did not realized how much I relied on Alexa.

Yeah, it's funny how quickly you get attached to something that starts off seeming like a novelty item.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Slygrin on March 23, 2016, 01:33:08 pm
I've only had my Echo for a little bit and I'm still learning what it can do. One thing I wish it could to do is respond to multiple commands. When it finishes one command it would be nice if it listened for a few seconds for another one. For example, when I say Alexa, play classic rock, after she responds I could say volume 7 without repeating Alexa. I figure if it would listen for 3 to 5 seconds after finishing a command would work great.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Daithi on March 30, 2016, 05:24:33 pm
When it finishes one command it would be nice if it listened for a few seconds for another one. For example, when I say Alexa, play classic rock, after she responds I could say volume 7 without repeating Alexa.

This would be one of my top three feature requests as well.

My number two feature would be to say a phrase and have Alexa/Echo pre-programmed to do something. For example, "Alexa, I'm leaving." Turns off all my lights, sets the Nest thermostat to away mode, etc.

My number one feature would be to schedule a command for the future. For example, I could schedule to have my lights slowly turn on, the temperature to warm up, and begin playing KSFO on iHeartRadio each weekday morning. Also, I could schedule Simon says to occur at a specific time, "Alexa, tomorrow at 4:30 pm Simon says 'Remember to call your dad an tell him Happy Birthday.'" 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on March 30, 2016, 05:55:15 pm
My number one feature would be to schedule a command for the future. For example, I could schedule to have my lights slowly turn on, the temperature to warm up, and begin playing KSFO on iHeartRadio each weekday morning. Also, I could schedule Simon says to occur at a specific time, "Alexa, tomorrow at 4:30 pm Simon says 'Remember to call your dad an tell him Happy Birthday.'"

That one is into home automation system territory.  The Echo can - and does - serve as a nice voice-command interface for such systems, but it is not a HA system itself.  For that kind of functionality you need to look into something like SmartThings, Wink, HomeKit, etc.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: beresbart on April 02, 2016, 08:21:38 am
Will dictation ever become an option for the echo? As a writer, this would convert me immediately.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on April 02, 2016, 10:07:58 am
Will dictation ever become an option for the echo? As a writer, this would convert me immediately.

Considering that you're going to need your transcribed text to end up on a PC or other word processing-capable device for editing and/or printing, and good dictation solutions already exist on those platforms I don't see any real practical value in adding dictation capability to the Echo.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: saturnkk on April 02, 2016, 11:02:57 am
Are there any bluetooth HA coffee / tea makers out there that work with Echo so we can actually order Earl Grey, hot?   8)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: momzo103 on April 02, 2016, 12:53:06 pm
I would love Echo to replace my mantel clock and announce time on the hour.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on April 02, 2016, 05:32:44 pm
Are there any bluetooth HA coffee / tea makers out there that work with Echo so we can actually order Earl Grey, hot?   8)

I think the only one is the Mr. Coffee Wemo Coffee Maker, but it's not compatible with Echo.
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Wifi-Enabled-Coffeemaker-BVMC-PSTX91WE/dp/B00LUFSSWG

Coming up is the June Oven, which has an insane $1500 price tag. But not yet compatible with any other Home Automation devices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCuLxqGd0go
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on April 02, 2016, 06:37:10 pm
Are there any bluetooth HA coffee / tea makers out there that work with Echo so we can actually order Earl Grey, hot?   8)

I think the only one is the Mr. Coffee Wemo Coffee Maker, but it's not compatible with Echo.
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Wifi-Enabled-Coffeemaker-BVMC-PSTX91WE/dp/B00LUFSSWG

Coming up is the June Oven, which has an insane $1500 price tag. But not yet compatible with any other Home Automation devices.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCuLxqGd0go

was looking at the june oven at their website.  Looks nice but I would not get it unless they dropped a couple of zeros off the price :-)  I have been wondering about smart appliances.  Most appliances last decades so I wonder how long the software will actually be supported.  I for one, would not purchase one because of that. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: NK7Z on April 05, 2016, 09:42:54 pm
I'd love for Echo to take a name for each timer, and then when the timer is being delivered, speak that name...  i.e. "Alexa set a timer for five minutes, laundry done."  Then five minutes later, Alexa delivers the timer by saying: "Five minute timer named Laundry is finished."
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: seba on April 08, 2016, 08:41:45 am
Are there any bluetooth HA coffee / tea makers out there that work with Echo so we can actually order Earl Grey, hot?   8)

I think the only one is the Mr. Coffee Wemo Coffee Maker, but it's not compatible with Echo.
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Wifi-Enabled-Coffeemaker-BVMC-PSTX91WE/dp/B00LUFSSWG


It seems that is compatible with echo but you need to use an IFTTT recipe named Brew Coffee with Echo
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: dancremeans on April 08, 2016, 07:47:50 pm
This will take Echo to the next level. "Alexa, tell me to take out the trash at 9:00 tomorrow." "Alexa, remind me tomorrow at 3:00 I need to go to the store." Etc. Right now if you set an alarm (or reminder), an alarm just goes off, it will not tell you what the alarm is for. I notice all the voice apps do not actually tell you why you set the alarm, or will remind with voice of a specific reminder you want read back to you. This is a huge hole that's missing in these devices. I assume this must be a difficult thing to program because none of them do it. Am I missing something here?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: kevb on April 09, 2016, 09:37:49 am
Couldn't you add the event to Google calendar, then set an alarm for the same time? Then when the alarm goes off, ask Alexa what's on your calendar. You can now add events to your calendar by asking Alexa "Add an event to my calendar" and she'll prompt you for time, day, and name of the event.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: NK7Z on April 09, 2016, 09:56:49 am
Yes you could do that, but it is a hack, and it is not a timer...  The timers should be named...  I can't imagine why it is not by now...  It would be great to have a mode where Alexa tells you the Google Calendar event as well...
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Kelleytoons on April 09, 2016, 10:18:16 pm
Just respond to my own custom name.

Three syllables is too many, but one is too few for a good wake up.  That leaves "Echo", which is a bit cold but if you have more than one you don't want to confuse you are in trouble.

I can't imagine it would be very difficult to have different wake-up words since they do have account info like device names and such.  Even just having 5 or 10 more names (like "Sarah", "Alice", "Henry", whatever) would be helpful.  But "Amazon" as a wake-up word?  Give me a break.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: saturnkk on April 12, 2016, 12:47:15 pm
All apologies if this was mentioned prior (havent scanned all 8+ pages) but it would be a nice feature if Alexa(s) could act as an intercom system.  I have a multiple story home and it would be nice to send a message down to a different floor and even get a response....
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ScottinPollock on April 12, 2016, 01:51:42 pm
I would like to see awareness of multiple Echoes on the LAN. Then things like "Alexa, redirect to kitchen, set a timer for 10 minutes", or "Alexa, redirect to Scott's Room, simon says get washed and come downstairs dinner will be ready in a few minutes". Same for playing music and the like.

Seems like a great way to sell echoes!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on April 12, 2016, 02:08:00 pm
>>>    I notice all the voice apps do not actually tell you why you set the alarm

You can ask Siri on an iPhone to remind you to do something, and when reminder goes off, the screen displays the reason for the alarm.  Fortunately, a phone is in my pocket whereas all the Echo devices are sitting alone in their assigned places at home.  So, if Apple can do this, so can Amazon, but so far they have chosen not to.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: saturnkk on April 12, 2016, 02:39:31 pm
I would like to see awareness of multiple Echoes on the LAN. Then things like "Alexa, redirect to kitchen, set a timer for 10 minutes", or "Alexa, redirect to Scott's Room, simon says get washed and come downstairs dinner will be ready in a few minutes". Same for playing music and the like.

Seems like a great way to sell echoes!

This is great!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: dan8379 on April 12, 2016, 03:22:04 pm
I didn't see this mentioned previously, but I would love Sirius/XM integration.  It would be great to say "Alexa, play Lithium on Sirius/XM".  I know I can use the XM app and bluetooth, but true voice control would be great.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on April 12, 2016, 03:43:39 pm
I would like to see awareness of multiple Echoes on the LAN. Then things like "Alexa, redirect to kitchen, set a timer for 10 minutes", or "Alexa, redirect to Scott's Room, simon says get washed and come downstairs dinner will be ready in a few minutes". Same for playing music and the like.

Sort of a DirectTV Genie for Echo.  I like it.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: ScottinPollock on April 12, 2016, 06:47:13 pm
Is there anyone passing them on to Amazon?

I hope so. The more requests they get for the same feature, the closer they will look at it (of course it has to be doable by the hardware, and useful to the majority to be considered).
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Scooter on April 14, 2016, 09:45:33 am
The #1 feature I want added to the Amazon Echo/Alexa is the ability to schedule a command she can already do.

For example--

"Alexa, at 11:00 pm, turn off my living room lights."

"Alexa, on weekdays at 6:00 am, play my cool jazz station."

"Alexa, on March 24th at 7:30 am, Simon says 'Remember that today is your dad's birthday.'"


LOL ME TOO! I just asked this question in the General section. I guess it's not available yet :(

I'd love to play a certain channel every morning at a certain time.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jbb2198 on April 18, 2016, 05:05:53 pm
After a day of sneezing and watering eyes, how about a local pollen count? Either as a skill or add on to the weather reports.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: saturnkk on April 18, 2016, 07:37:04 pm
After a day of sneezing and watering eyes, how about a local pollen count? Either as a skill or add on to the weather reports.

YES!  I was miserable last night....
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jbb2198 on April 18, 2016, 08:39:36 pm
Just checked and a air quality meter skill has been added.(today?)  Reports air quality of specific zip codes in 5 categories. Excellent,fair,moderate,low,poor. Reported "fair" although the pollen count was quite high. Hmm. maybe another skill not ready for prime time?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: madcodger on April 18, 2016, 11:06:30 pm
Air quality is largely ozone and smog.  Pollen is, well, pollen.  Two different things.  And I definitely wish a pollen app were available, with a 5 day forecast.  But probably requires a deal with pollen.com, as not that many other entities likely track pollen count across the entire U.S.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Chris1958 on May 01, 2016, 03:12:10 am
It would be good to "Alexa, leave a message for Gail".  Then I could leave a message for my wife when I go out. On arriving home my wife could ask, "Alexa, any messages?" And Alexa would repeat the message I left earlier.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on May 01, 2016, 04:02:34 am
See the posts here about "Roger" app; you can do something like this, AND have basic Alexa access.  Roger lets you leave a voice message, person listens and responds they got it, etc.

Search keyword: Roger
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: segerguy on May 01, 2016, 11:27:47 pm
I would like to see Alexa say the reason for setting a timer.  Alexa...set a timer for 30 min to check on the roast in the oven"  I hear the alert go off but then I think,,,,why did I set a timer?  20 min later...OH THE ROAST!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Scooter on May 05, 2016, 07:29:14 pm
Lol that was funny. At night I just say Alexa quit playing in 30 minutes and it says okay. Note that I refuse to call it a she.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Keifer on May 06, 2016, 01:07:31 am
I would like to see the ability to send a "Simon Says" to Echo via IFTTT based on a specific trigger, similar to the function available via the remote.  For example if my motion detectors detect motion IFTTT would have my Echos say "INTRUDER ALERT"  😁
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Monkeymail on May 06, 2016, 05:01:58 pm
I would like SiriusXM added to the streaming services that are available. Also, integrate with a hardware device like Tile. That way you could ask Alexa where my keys and wallet are located and she could trigger the hardware to alarm.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Vonda Z on May 09, 2016, 10:58:50 pm
I wish there was a way to map one home automation device name differently for each Echo/Dot/FireTV in the home. So, for example, while every Echo/Dot/FireTV in my home could turn on/off the bedroom/living room/family room/kitchen/basement lights by name, I would also create a device named simply "lights" but define it differently for each Echo. The Dot in the kitchen would map "lights" to the kitchen lights; the Dot in the bedroom would map it to the bedroom lights, the Echo in the family room will map to the family room lights, etc. That way, all I have to do is walk from room to room and say "Echo, turn on/off the lights" and the Echo that hears me will turn on/off the lights in the room that it is in.

Yes, I am now so spoiled I don't want to have to name the lights I want turned on/off - I just want Echo to know based on which Echo was asked.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 10, 2016, 12:34:54 am
I wish there was a way to map one home automation device name differently for each Echo/Dot/FireTV in the home. So, for example, while every Echo/Dot/FireTV in my home could turn on/off the bedroom/living room/family room/kitchen/basement lights by name, I would also create a device named simply "lights" but define it differently for each Echo. The Dot in the kitchen would map "lights" to the kitchen lights; the Dot in the bedroom would map it to the bedroom lights, the Echo in the family room will map to the family room lights, etc. That way, all I have to do is walk from room to room and say "Echo, turn on/off the lights" and the Echo that hears me will turn on/off the lights in the room that it is in.

Yes, I am now so spoiled I don't want to have to name the lights I want turned on/off - I just want Echo to know based on which Echo was asked.

Yeah, the ability to determine which "lights" you're referring to based on the context of which room you're in would be nice.  Unfortunately, providing that capability reliably with all of types of setups people will have can get very complicate very quickly.  It's certainly possible, but I doubt that Amazon is going to find it to be worth the time, trouble and expense.  Though I'd be quite happy to be proven wrong.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on May 10, 2016, 04:37:21 am
I wish there was a way to map one home automation device name differently for each Echo/Dot/FireTV in the home. So, for example, while every Echo/Dot/FireTV in my home could turn on/off the bedroom/living room/family room/kitchen/basement lights by name, I would also create a device named simply "lights" but define it differently for each Echo. The Dot in the kitchen would map "lights" to the kitchen lights; the Dot in the bedroom would map it to the bedroom lights, the Echo in the family room will map to the family room lights, etc. That way, all I have to do is walk from room to room and say "Echo, turn on/off the lights" and the Echo that hears me will turn on/off the lights in the room that it is in.

Yes, I am now so spoiled I don't want to have to name the lights I want turned on/off - I just want Echo to know based on which Echo was asked.

multiple amazon accounts and after discovery have it forget all the other lights you don't want the specific dot or echo to have access to. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Vonda Z on May 10, 2016, 06:57:55 am
Yeah, the ability to determine which "lights" you're referring to based on the context of which room you're in would be nice.  Unfortunately, providing that capability reliably with all of types of setups people will have can get very complicate very quickly.  It's certainly possible, but I doubt that Amazon is going to find it to be worth the time, trouble and expense.  Though I'd be quite happy to be proven wrong.

I actually do not think it would be that difficult. Right now, the timers and alarms are stored independently for each device (when you set an alarm, only the Echo that you spoke to saves that alarm and executes it) and in the Alexa app, when you look at alarms and timers, you can switch between devices to see the alarms for each device. If they can do that on a device by device basis, you would imagine that keeping a definition for home automation could function similarly. If there is a definition created for a specific Echo device, that is used. Otherwise, use the definition defined for all devices. As a software engineer, I think it is really pretty simple logic.

Of course, I have no idea what the Echo's code looks like. Sometimes things that are simple in concept are incredibly difficult in practice because the original code was never designed with that functionality in mind. But it makes me wish I could have a look at the code and take a crack at implementing it.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: additude on May 10, 2016, 08:35:20 am
1. Multiple echo names. Choose yer own...
2. Voice Recognition (Alexis.... "Yes Master") .... hehehe
3. Multiple Reminders and Timers with names. Alexis...Yes Master...Remind me in 20 minutes to take the beer out of the freezer...
4. External Speaker integration for fidelity upgrade.
5. Multiple Echo's by ID for intercom setup. Alexis...Yes Master...Listen and monitor the...ummm, the kitchen....
6. Leave Messages for other members of the organization or household. Alexis...Yes Master...Leave a message for Bob to have the Bi-Monthly sales report on my desk by 9 am...
7. Integration with home automation services. (Already with some, but full seamless integration with all brands.)
8. Improved acquisition of information resources on the web. (Be at least as smart as Siri)
9. Provide technical status information about the Echo like IP, UPtime, Downtime, etc.
10. Weather warnings and alerts, Civil Defense alerts, Amber Alerts, etc. (User enable/disable)
11. Favorite Recipes, culinary measurements, conversions, cooking times, etc.
12. Have "Echo" introduce itself. I want to say, "Alexa, this is my friend Chris"... and Alexa to say, "Hello Chris, nice to meet you, is there something that I can do for you today?"... I would like the Echo to be a little more "Personal".
13. I am a Prime Member, I was listening to music yesterday and I said, "Alexa, add this song to my playlist"... It said something to the effect that it cannot edit playlists..... that was a real bummer....
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 10, 2016, 09:44:34 am
I actually do not think it would be that difficult. Right now, the timers and alarms are stored independently for each device (when you set an alarm, only the Echo that you spoke to saves that alarm and executes it) and in the Alexa app, when you look at alarms and timers, you can switch between devices to see the alarms for each device. If they can do that on a device by device basis, you would imagine that keeping a definition for home automation could function similarly. If there is a definition created for a specific Echo device, that is used. Otherwise, use the definition defined for all devices. As a software engineer, I think it is really pretty simple logic.

Of course, I have no idea what the Echo's code looks like. Sometimes things that are simple in concept are incredibly difficult in practice because the original code was never designed with that functionality in mind. But it makes me wish I could have a look at the code and take a crack at implementing it.

On 2nd thought I agree that associating devices with individual Echos via aliases (ie, the group labeled "downstairs lights" at my account level could be aliased as simply "lights" for the Echo I keep in the family room, so that the functionality you seek is achieved while not sacrificing the ability to control those lights via the Echo in my bedroom, where "lights" refers to the "bedroom lights" group) shouldn't be that difficult (assuming the existing architecture and code base weren't poorly done in the extreme).  I was thinking more along the lines of the extra work for the configuration, validity-checking (to prevent ambiguities, circular references, etc) as well as changing the smart home logic from account orientation to device orientation, but after a night of some thought those things should be doable without much pain (again, assuming they haven't already architected themselves into a corner of some sort.)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Chris1958 on May 11, 2016, 05:37:57 am
Roger sounds great, but can't find any reference to it on this forum or on Alexa app. Maybe missing something. Thanks just the same.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on May 11, 2016, 01:08:39 pm
Type keyword roger in search box near top; you will find it.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 11, 2016, 02:19:18 pm
Type keyword roger in search box near top; you will find it.

I bet he won't.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: kevb on May 11, 2016, 04:08:37 pm
Don't search from this page. Click the "Home" button at top left, then search for Roger. Or click "Search" at top left and be sure the whole forum is included in the search. Searching at top right from this page only looks at this thread.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 13, 2016, 07:17:29 pm
I actually just thought of one I'd like (that will never happen):  I want to be able to tell my downstairs Echo that I'm going upstairs to do something.  Then, when I get upstairs and forget what it is that I went up there to do I can ask the upstairs Echo to tell me why I'm up there.  :P
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: mike27oct on May 13, 2016, 08:06:56 pm
So, what you want is senior moment backup.  Maybe someone has made a skill. . . .maybe.  ;)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on May 13, 2016, 08:10:36 pm
I actually just thought of one I'd like (that will never happen):  I want to be able to tell my downstairs Echo that I'm going upstairs to do something.  Then, when I get upstairs and forget what it is that I went up there to do I can ask the upstairs Echo to tell me why I'm up there.  :P

use the todo list  :-)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 13, 2016, 08:45:49 pm
use the todo list  :-)

Sure...if I can remember....
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: kevb on May 13, 2016, 08:59:38 pm
Remember what?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on May 13, 2016, 09:16:29 pm
use the todo list  :-)

Sure...if I can remember....

if you cannot remember your todo list, what makes you think anything else will work...see the following  ;-P

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/memory/how-to-improve-your-memory.htm
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 14, 2016, 12:26:58 am
What was I talking about?
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: gcnes on May 14, 2016, 12:38:40 am
Hi,
I just wanted to pass on that I created a companion App for the Echo. A designed this app to help those with verbal and non-verbal disabilities use the Echo. I think it is a good fit for those with Autism or the hearing impaired. I would appreciate it if you could please pass this on to your group and allow me to post it as well. The App will allow you to search a command list database of over 450 commands. Also you can play the command in our play center which was designed for those with speaking disabilities. You are also able to save your favorite commands for quick access. We have quick tap buttons and resources for you to use. Use the link to take a look.

Commanding Echos by Nicholas Sawka
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Monkeymail on May 14, 2016, 12:45:30 am
Have echo be able to identify songs that she is playing from any source. Like sound hound's song id...
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 14, 2016, 12:01:08 pm
Have echo be able to identify songs that she is playing from any source. Like sound hound's song id...

She does that when playing from Pandora, iHeart and your Amazon account...though that's due to those services providing that information to her.  She doesn't sample music for identification like SH does, so she can't tell you what's playing from a bluetooth source.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: step42368 on May 25, 2016, 02:33:35 pm
I would like to get NASCAR updates just like i can NFL or NBA for my teams
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 25, 2016, 03:11:16 pm
I would like to get NASCAR updates just like i can NFL or NBA for my teams

That's easy.

"They're turning left!"

;D
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: renegade600 on May 25, 2016, 03:26:36 pm
Have echo be able to identify songs that she is playing from any source. Like sound hound's song id...

She does that when playing from Pandora, iHeart and your Amazon account...though that's due to those services providing that information to her.  She doesn't sample music for identification like SH does, so she can't tell you what's playing from a bluetooth source.

maybe someone needs to create sort of connection to the shazam app for identifying music from the bluetooth source. 
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: Yoda_One on May 25, 2016, 03:34:40 pm
I would like to get NASCAR updates just like i can NFL or NBA for my teams

That's easy.

"They're turning left!"

;D
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/db8909ab5691b2f999dfb54e712a4aa7.jpg)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: jwlv on May 25, 2016, 04:11:37 pm
I would like Echo to have a default volume.

Sometimes I like listening to music at a really high volume (9 or 10). When I'm done, I tell Alexa to stop and I forget to change the volume to a reasonable level.

Later, when I go to bed, I say Alexa, set alarm for 7 a.m. and she replies "ALARM SET FOR 7 AM TOMORROW" in the last volume level that I used, in this case it would have been volume 10.

What would be really nice is to have a default volume that I can set from the app. Let's say my default is volume level 4. If I'm playing really loud music in the afternoon (volume 10), and the Echo sits idle for, say 30 minutes, it should go back to the default volume of 4.
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: DParker on May 25, 2016, 04:24:56 pm
I would like Echo to have a default volume.

Sometimes I like listening to music at a really high volume (9 or 10). When I'm done, I tell Alexa to stop and I forget to change the volume to a reasonable level.

Later, when I go to bed, I say Alexa, set alarm for 7 a.m. and she replies "ALARM SET FOR 7 AM TOMORROW" in the last volume level that I used, in this case it would have been volume 10.

What would be really nice is to have a default volume that I can set from the app. Let's say my default is volume level 4. If I'm playing really loud music in the afternoon (volume 10), and the Echo sits idle for, say 30 minutes, it should go back to the default volume of 4.

Just be grateful that she doesn't go to 11.

(http://livingincinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/these-go-to-eleven-2.jpg)
Title: Re: What would you like Echo to do?
Post by: NK7Z on May 25, 2016, 08:11:48 pm
Have echo be able to identify songs that she is playing from any source. Like sound hound's song id...
I would like Echo to ID songs it hears!