Echo & Alexa Forums

General Category => Amazon Echo Discussion => Topic started by: jwlv on January 25, 2015, 12:22:32 pm

Title: Welcome aboard!
Post by: jwlv on January 25, 2015, 12:22:32 pm
Welcome to Echo Talk. These forums are dedicated to the discussion of the Amazon Echo device.

I decided to set up this Un-Official Amazon Echo discussion forum because the Official Amazon forums are kind of a mess. It's hard to keep track of topics and threads. The official forums are for everything related to Amazon, and too broad in scope. This forum is dedicated only to the Amazon Echo.

You already know that to register for an account here you need to enter a CAPTCHA and answer a silly question. This requirement is so that we can weed out annoying spammers. It's amazing how many spammers already attempted to create accounts on here. The CAPTCHA and questions may come up again, especially for new members when they post their first message to the forum. After that, you won't have to do it again. I realize it's a pain to go through this, but it is the only reasonable way to get rid of spammers.

One of our members here has written in his own blog, "Basically, I’m a fan of anything that makes it seem more like we’re living in Star Trek." I've never really thought about it before, but I realized that any technology that resembles Star Trek is what I've been doing most of my life. That's why I get so excited when it comes to new technologies such as Smart Watches, LED lighting, Internet controlled cameras, etc. Years ago, I even did a research paper in college on natural language processing and neuro-networks. It's been 20+ years since college, and we're finally able to realize what many people envisioned years ago. This is a very exciting time.

This forum is for everyone, beginners and hardcore enthusiasts alike, and even handicapped people, to make the most of this technology. It is amazing how far we've come, but the road ahead is still daunting.

I'm very happy to be a part of this era where we can play, learn, and utilize this technology and share it with everyone.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: freethot on July 08, 2015, 02:44:30 pm
Thanks for the forum :)   These are the best of times, I feel.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Wctrav on January 04, 2016, 10:30:22 pm
I am brand new to Echo. Most things are working well. However, when I type on my iPad in other programs, it clicks each stroke on my Echo speaker. How can I stop this?
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on January 05, 2016, 12:11:49 am
Aliens have taken over you new Echo.  You must destroy it immediately!

Actually,
Your iPad is most likely connected to the Echo via Bluetooth.  Disconnect iPad from Echo, and/or turn off the BT of your iPad.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: dj_skully on January 22, 2016, 11:32:14 am
Hey there, just wanted to say thank you for starting this forum! It has been a great place for everyone to share what they know and have learned about the device. You are a true pioneer of the frontier in the Star Trek sense!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: shastapoke on January 22, 2016, 06:02:14 pm
Thanks for doing this forum.  The Amazon discussion boards are too spread out and not easy to zero in on specific stuff.  We just got back from a visit and they had an Echo.  I barely knew what the Echo is.  I was sold in a couple of minutes and ours is due here in a few days.  I'm hoping to use its many impressive capabilities.

Update: It's here and we are enjoying it. 
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: oldsod on January 25, 2016, 12:15:47 pm
Thanks great forum
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: leehop71 on February 09, 2016, 10:06:06 pm
I'm seriously considering getting an Echo.  I can't find any recent (2016) reviews.  The early reviews had some concerns and bugs, but I'm thinking that the software/firmware has been updated since then??
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on February 10, 2016, 03:26:42 am
I just answered your same question in another forum where you posted same question, so go find it.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: RBCH on February 14, 2016, 01:20:15 pm
Thanks! Love my Echo except for 1 thing. She can't pronounce my name!! How do you change her pronunciation of a name?? Help! It drives me nuts!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: vegasguy on February 14, 2016, 04:06:23 pm
Alexa pronounces words based on the way it is spelled. Let's say your name is Henry but pronounced the French way (on-REE) and not the English way (HEN-ree). If you enter your name phonetically Alexa should pronounce it correctly, although it would be misspelled. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: RBCH on February 14, 2016, 07:49:08 pm
Where do I enter my name phonetically? I did change my name to the phonetic spelling under name of device but Echo is still saying my name the same way. I know it's trivial but it is irritating!
Thanks for any help you can give!!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Cat_LeDevic on February 21, 2016, 01:40:41 pm
LOL you're one up on me. I didn't know you could even put your name into Alexa! She hasn't asked for it, far as I know. I'd sell tickets to hear her give my last name a shot, though - 95% fail rate from humans. lolol
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: renegade600 on February 21, 2016, 04:04:59 pm
LOL you're one up on me. I didn't know you could even put your name into Alexa! She hasn't asked for it, far as I know. I'd sell tickets to hear her give my last name a shot, though - 95% fail rate from humans. lolol

It thinks my last name is a curse word. 
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: JessONeill on March 13, 2016, 08:49:33 pm
I just joined this forum and was very happy to find it!  I love the Echo and really enjoy interacting with Alexa.  She's nice to have around!  :)
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: jbb2198 on April 09, 2016, 09:50:04 am
Great forum!...Lot's of useful information.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: h_smith on August 09, 2016, 12:45:35 pm
Thank you for creating the forum!

I am a embedded software developer by trade (automotive currently) and looking to network with other developers interested in the Echo and home automation products.

If you are in to programming Alexa skills or other things I am looking forward to chatting with you.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Mork74 on September 22, 2016, 04:17:33 pm
just joined, not bought one yet, eyes on the UK dot

so may questions and scenarios to ask
i dont even have smart enabled devices but i just want to talk to Alexa really  :)


Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on September 22, 2016, 09:06:06 pm
just joined, not bought one yet, eyes on the UK dot

so may questions and scenarios to ask
i dont even have smart enabled devices but i just want to talk to Alexa really  :)

The Dots are now cheap; less than dinner out, so spring the big bucks (pounds) and you will learn while you use it.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: astrodrew24 on September 23, 2016, 11:11:25 am
Glad to find this forum. I will be a first time owner of an Amazon Echo on Wednesday. I ordered the white Echo version that's coming out next week. I see good things about the Echo and I'm curious and would like to add the device to our family. Hope it'll be a start of our home automation in the house. I hope to learn things about the Echo in this forum.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Mork74 on September 23, 2016, 11:40:47 am
Its not out till October, think they changed the date
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: DParker on September 23, 2016, 11:45:48 am
Its not out till October, think they changed the date

The Dot is what's not being released until October.  The white version of the Echo is scheduled to be released September 28.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6AO69U/ref=s9_simh_gw_g451_i1_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=88QTD9TDQER7FXBM64S2&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=6aad23bd-3035-4a40-b691-0eefb1a18396&pf_rd_i=desktop (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6AO69U/ref=s9_simh_gw_g451_i1_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=88QTD9TDQER7FXBM64S2&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=6aad23bd-3035-4a40-b691-0eefb1a18396&pf_rd_i=desktop)
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: astrodrew24 on September 23, 2016, 12:55:53 pm
Yes, thank you. I ordered the Amazon Echo in white, not the Dot and that's what I'm receiving on Wednesday. I also pre-ordered the Dot that's coming in October.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Benomley-guy on September 29, 2016, 03:13:14 pm
Loving my new echo. Although there aren't many U.K. skills as yet, I'm sure this will only be a matter of time. Excellent sound quality too.  Does anyone know if there is a way to get Alexa to read out TV listings or connect to virgin media? The Spotify connectivity is excellent.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Danny_Hays on October 16, 2016, 12:53:05 pm
I am brand new to Echo. Most things are working well. However, when I type on my iPad in other programs, it clicks each stroke on my Echo speaker. How can I stop this?
Turn off your bluetooth connection from the Ipad to the Echo. It's playing all audio from it when connected in this way. Hope this helps. Danny Hays
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: sosha on November 04, 2016, 09:55:44 am
I'm new here, but have already become fast fan of these devices.  Looking forward to learning tip and tricks from other users.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: egomezcapital on November 16, 2016, 12:16:01 am
When I got my Alexa I was disappointed that I couldn't turn on or off my TV. Everything else was awesome.  And the solution like Harmony hub was too expensive for multiple rooms. So I took the descicion to build a device. The first one was a raspberry pie, but few friends ask me to make couple of devices for them so I got the idea to launch a kickstarter campaign. Check it out.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1882345838/remotsy-wifi-remote-for-alexa-and-smartthings

It'd mean the world to me if you'd spread the word by sharing and pledging into your Facebook and Twitter account. Just two clicks makes a HUGE difference!! Ping me if you have any questions
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: bowdrie85 on November 16, 2016, 06:51:00 pm
Echo NOOB here.  Bought my Amazon Echo on Monday and turned around today and bought an Echo Dot for the bedroom.  I am so impressed with both of these devices. 8)
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: ManoaHi on November 18, 2016, 07:27:48 am
I will definitely be around this forum. Just as an aside, I've been using Siri for about 5 years, Google Now, then Google Assistant for about 3 years combined. Then Cortana for a little over a year. I've been using Alexa for about 3 hours.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mcain1006 on December 07, 2016, 09:36:25 am
Thank you for adding me to the forum. I am new to Echo.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Alpha Bitch on December 11, 2016, 10:19:14 pm
Thank you for these forums.  I am new to DOT.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: sharonlundahl on January 01, 2017, 01:10:24 pm
Dear all.   I am not technically savvy and this is the first time I have participated in a user forum.

I have purchased two echo systems, one for home and one for our shop, and I am desperate to make it work.  I also am not sure how to get answers to my many questions.

The first is, how do I ask Alexa to "find French-language songs."  or "find Balalaika songs" or find "classic French-language songs."

Would appreciate any help.  Also I bought the multi-device unlimited system.
Sharon
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on January 01, 2017, 01:54:22 pm
Always a good idea to know where to find info, and Amazon has a lot of help here:
Go to Amazon home page, click on top Help tab, select device support, and find your device. 
Sounds like you have purchased unlimited music service and there is likely help for it as well at Amazon link.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: tuicemen on January 05, 2017, 09:56:23 am
Just found this Board and nice to see all the info. ;)
I've had voice recognition of my X10 setup for many years but the Amazon Dot and Alexa are amazing.
Alexa now has control of my Home automation system which is mostly but not limited to X10.
I'll be recommending it to all those on the X10 forums.
Not a fan of the captcha for posting though. :o :(
Hope that is only a newbie thing! ???
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: PFR on January 08, 2017, 03:39:40 pm
Loving my 2nd gen Dots. I bought them in the UK on a recent trip and have installed 3 of them in my house here in New Zealand.
It did take a while to get everything sorted - mainly because, during the setup, it was only letting me setup using my American Amazon account and not my UK Amazon account (where I have my Prime Music account). It took a good couple of days to work things out, thanks to this forum and others like it, before managed to get everything Uk'ed. Thank goodness for VPN's. Fortunately, the timezone setup is not an issue with the 2nd gens, although it would be great if I could get my address changed to my NZ address, but all-in-all, that's a minor issue.
I must admit, it has been a bit annoying at times to get Alexa to play the music I want. A couple of examples, one of my favourite bands is James, and have so far not been able to shuffle their songs (always get James Arthur for some reason). And getting Alexa to play anything with a non-English name or title is exasperating. But that's half the fun I suppose.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: doxidad on January 11, 2017, 10:03:36 am
Hello and thank you for this board.
I acquired a echo right before Christmas when they were on sale.
The only control device I have is a Harmony and with the Echo it can really make you lazy.
No more using a remote - just voice control.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: ctkidd on January 12, 2017, 06:08:12 pm
Thanks for these forums just registered. We need places like these to share ideas and chat about tech. Looking forward to reading through what everybody here has done.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Joe Duffy on February 13, 2017, 08:20:47 am
Greetings!
Currently own one Echo, one Dot, and one Sonos Play 1.
Plan to add at least one more Dot and more Sonos stuff.
No home automation yet but it's something I very much would like to get into eventually.

regards,
Joe
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: fpress@presspotterlaw.com on February 20, 2017, 08:45:26 am
How do I post a new thread?
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Alpha Bitch on February 20, 2017, 02:48:35 pm
How do I post a new thread?
In the forum area you wish to post in, look up at the top right.  Click on the NEW TOPIC tab/link.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Corkster52 on March 08, 2017, 01:34:41 pm
Hello from Ohio.  I am new to all this Echo stuff.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: avservice on March 10, 2017, 05:29:46 am
Just joined here and am hoping to learn and share tricks to make these devices as useful aspossible for myself and my clients.

I am trying to automate a home for a recently disabled long time friend and the info out there about the Echo is scattered and hard to trust sometimes so it seems like experimentation is the way to get this going,which is something I already do every day anyway.

I really like the platform overall so far but......

Thanks for having me.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: dblake78250 on June 10, 2017, 05:20:19 pm
Hello Alexa Fans!

I'm the last newb here. Got Alexa over a month ago. Always trying to get the most of the cost of the thing. I've used forums for my vehicles and thought there is probably one for Alexa. And so there was... several. Prepare for me to pick your brains continuously!

Best of Luck,
David
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: malliekm on June 10, 2017, 07:07:36 pm
Hello Alexa Fans!

I'm the last newb here. Got Alexa over a month ago. Always trying to get the most of the cost of the thing. I've used forums for my vehicles and thought there is probably one for Alexa. And so there was... several. Prepare for me to pick your brains continuously!

Best of Luck,
David

Welcome Newb!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: stobelman on June 23, 2017, 11:43:30 pm
I am new hear and am wondering how to post a question.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on June 24, 2017, 12:28:55 am
We see you figured it out!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Amaranthim on July 05, 2017, 03:14:11 pm
Hello folks!
Great to find a forum of fellow Alexa Fans!
My first encounter with Alexa was my Firestick. Loved being able to talk and watch Amazon content. Then came the Dot- much more wallet-friendly and I jumped on!
I love having silly interactions with "her". "Alexa, good morning!" And she gives me a few tidbits to start the day- after the usual news thing, there are other things that come up during the day I can ask or request. Sure, still lots of room for improvement. I look forward to less, "Hmm.. I can't help you with that" or similar.

Today I received and set up my Wand. I like that because it makes her portable ;) I can have her at work in a limited capacity but still! Hoping for more improvements there as well. I do believe a flash briefing there should be available. Having this is one step closer to maybe.. dare I dream? A Wearable!! Imagine, a la Star Trek!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: malliekm on July 05, 2017, 06:36:03 pm
Beam me up Scotty :)
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on July 05, 2017, 08:16:51 pm
Teach your Dot to turn on/off lights etc.  More fun than asking it questions, since it is doing some work for you.  Turning on/off three lamps at once via voice beats walking to each lamp!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Susoak on July 28, 2017, 12:46:29 pm
Well I'm s little late to the game as I'm reading things all from2016.  I happened upon this when I googled a Question I had on my Dot!  I assume the answers in
 here would apply to the doctor also since they pretty much work the same it's just the speaker situation. I purchased three dots and one speaker and have so far hooked up one dot in the front room with the speaker.   The first speaker I purchased from Amazon I could never get it hooked up Bluetooth to the dot. But my husband had a speaker and somehow we were able to get it hooked to it. So it sounding good and I'm not sure if this is the place to register my question so if this isn't the right place please let me know. 

 Question I had was when I'm on the Alexa app it often says I'm not online and yet I have hooked it up to Wi-Fi numerous times. And I'm getting the music which is has to be coming through Wi-Fi so I"m little confused as to why it would say that. And then trying to get one particular song or something it said that again So I went through the process of adding the Wi-Fi again maybe I'm doing something wrong, because why would it drop off once you hooked it up. Thanks for anything you have regarding this.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: philkin on August 09, 2017, 11:00:57 am
There maybe a good answer but I can't understand all the ....(dots) through out the text. Very annoying! What's up!

Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Ibis on August 20, 2017, 03:17:55 pm
Where do I enter my name phonetically? I did change my name to the phonetic spelling under name of device but Echo is still saying my name the same way. I know it's trivial but it is irritating!
Thanks for any help you can give!!

Did anyone ever answer you on how where to change your name phonetically on the echo? I've searched all over this forum and everyone says 'just change your name phonetically' but no one tells you where to do it. Hoping they don't mean on the Amazon account itself... that just wouldn't make sense. I hate how Alexa pronounces my name. And when ppl say 'Ai''s are not there yet', then they haven't used Siri. Siri actually asks you how you pronounce your name by repeating it back 5-6 different ways and let's you pick the best one. It's awesome! If only Alexa could do that as a skill... anyway, I digress, still where to change name phonetically I'd like to know. Thanks!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: cockatooai on September 12, 2017, 02:52:44 am
Thanks for building this wonderful forum
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Jay Vlasak on October 27, 2017, 02:56:09 pm
I am new to the echo dot (roku) and to this forum. NOT a techie. How can I get some free music on my device? Not interested in amazon unlimited.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Alpha Bitch on October 30, 2017, 12:54:38 pm
If you have a computer & music on same, use bluetooth.
I personally use iTunes to listen to music through my DOT.

FWIW....
I do not have an Amazon account (no credit card info).  Just a DOT/Amazon log in account.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: asianrocker on November 06, 2017, 01:48:37 pm
If you have a computer & music on same, use bluetooth.
I personally use iTunes to listen to music through my DOT.

FWIW....
I do not have an Amazon account (no credit card info).  Just a DOT/Amazon log in account.

Yes you do have an amazon account. It's your log in account. LOL. You can't use any echo device without an amazon account.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Alpha Bitch on November 08, 2017, 02:56:31 pm
If you have a computer & music on same, use bluetooth.
I personally use iTunes to listen to music through my DOT.

FWIW....
I do not have an Amazon account (no credit card info).  Just a DOT/Amazon log in account.

Yes you do have an amazon account. It's your log in account. LOL. You can't use any echo device without an amazon account.
I guess I should have worded it differently.  I have an account but Amazon does not have my credit card info as I am not a cc online shopper.  I am a check or money order online shopper.  Since I cannot order/purchase from Amazon over the phone, they do not get my business.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Sheila on December 29, 2017, 11:57:17 pm
Hi everyone,
My son just bought my husband and I an Echo. We are having fun with it. She helps me with a lot of things. But there are a couple things I’m trying to do. I notice if there is a clip/video on Facebook it goes through Alexa. Is there a way to turn that off? I tried looking on fb, Alexa app. I’m stumped. Another thing is for right now I don’t want calls or texts to come through Alexa right now. Is there a way to make sure that’s not going through for now?
Thank you
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Gerry on December 30, 2017, 09:28:17 am
Can anybody tell me how I can get Alexa to use my name when talking to me?
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: fbj650 on January 03, 2018, 02:17:40 pm
greets group
 Just got the echo for Xmas and am looking forward to using
it and learning more about its capabilities through the forum.
  Happy New Year.
 :) :)
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Andy on January 04, 2018, 12:22:13 pm
Hi all just got an echo dot for xmas- wanting to know if alexa has a tv times skill?- eg alexa whats on sky 1 from 7pm?- thanks
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Dell on January 06, 2018, 03:32:56 am
New here but old man and still learning just got a echo dot to play with I am hoping to use it to operate my tv and audio equipment,but still doing research looks not to be as straight forward as at first thought.
Dell
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: scottrods on January 06, 2018, 10:39:29 am
New here but old man and still learning just got a echo dot to play with I am hoping to use it to operate my tv and audio equipment,but still doing research looks not to be as straight forward as at first thought.
Dell

Plan on buying something to interface the TV with Alexa. I use the Logitech Harmony Hub (Puck only... I don't need another remote). Is challenging to set up but there's lots of support to help online.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Ann on January 16, 2018, 03:07:12 am
hi, i am a new member
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Jet70 on February 18, 2018, 11:07:19 am
Of course I have questions.  Hope this forum helps.  Thanks for setting it up

Jet
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Oboegeo on February 22, 2018, 02:43:46 pm
I used to get streaming radio stations, but no more. Anybody got any tips ?
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: mike27oct on February 22, 2018, 04:16:29 pm
How about more info and please post your message in the appropriate forum.  This forum is not an appropriate one for discussions like this.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: formate on March 09, 2018, 04:28:23 am
Thank you very much, I hope this forum will help us.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: crocky on March 12, 2018, 07:15:29 pm
Hi, I am an Australian with an Echo and soon to have the Dot and the Harmony hub for my TV and audio equipment.. Can’t buy the remote control for an echo in Australia.... Bought them in Aust and I’m hoping they play nice together, done a little bit with lights and sonnoffs and they are so far working pretty well. Can’t get the relays controlled by a 8266 working yet with Alexa as there seems to be something wrong with the fauxmo library and version two of the echo, they will fix it in time I guess... anyway hello 😉
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Owl17 on March 15, 2018, 11:55:30 am
Hello, all -- and thank you for establishing this forum!

I'm new to using the Echo and Echo Dot, but have been having fun learning their capabilities.  I especially like the voice pickup range of the Echo Dot -- about 15 feet away, behind a semi-closed door!

I purchased an Echo and an Echo Dot in a combination deal, and want to explore how to best use the two of them.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: jamesalexa on April 16, 2018, 06:32:30 am
Thanks for this interesting & informative forum.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: PKSlough on April 22, 2018, 03:06:17 am
Hello everyone!  :D

I'm Paul from the UK, and I have an Echo Spot in my bedroom. I've only had it a few months, but it's proving useful and good fun.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: JMayor on June 08, 2018, 08:11:39 am
Thanks so much for setting this up, I found that the Amazon official forum's were a nightmare too.
 :)
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: crissa on June 18, 2018, 10:34:37 pm
Hi, I just got an echo and i am satisfy with it.  and it is hard for me to make it shut when there is a conversation that must be private. So it comes to me to make a device that can easily shut alexa from listening by saying "privacy".
i am making the project not to earn profit i just want to help everyone to gain there privacy in an easiest way. Just like the device did to me. And i just need a little help to make the project successful.  so just personally message me if want to know more about the project.

I am too excited to tell everyone how cool is it .
Title: Tap connectivity priblems
Post by: Juder001 on July 15, 2018, 01:21:09 pm
We’ve had our Amazon Tap for over a year. We never had problems with it until recently. Could only play Pandora and Bluetooth wouldn’t work. I uninstalled, reinstalled, etc several times to no avail. After contacting our internet provider and ruling out WiFi problems, we decided to purchase a new Tap. When the new Tap arrived I was so excited to finally have one work with all of the features. NO SUCH LUCK!  It had the same issues.

I finally called Amazon and found out they’re currently having problems with the Tap and should have it fixed in a couple of days. I was angry. I just purchased a new Tap and was never told about the problems beforehand. Needless to say, if I’d have known, I’d never had purchased a second Tap. I’m a loyal Amazon customer but this was a big disappointment to me.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: NikkiRoxi on July 27, 2018, 02:07:30 pm
Hi everyone,

I am new here but I am not new to Amazon Echo. The Amazon Forum Board has been revamped and in my opinion easy to navigate. I am not familiar with the old style the board had, but I know it was revamped based on some of the comments over there. However, I like having more than one place to discuss my love and displeasure (hate sometimes LOL) of Amazon Echo.

Nikki
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: shaumar on July 30, 2018, 12:50:39 pm
Hi all new to Echo and to forum! Bought this for my technophobe husband he a music fanatic and is loving playing with it around random tunes! got the free trial on the music but will likely continue passed the 30 days! Just one thing for now I set it up using the app on my iphone rather than on my husbands phone - what problems if any will that present? Also any hints or tips for using it soley around music and the occasional weather update lol!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: slicker55 on August 13, 2018, 05:51:34 am
Thank you for letting me join your forum
I have recently caught the home automation bug and have already spent a fortune
Look forward to learning more about this fascinating hobby.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: ReneP on February 11, 2019, 12:50:15 pm
Thanks
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: CarlK58 on April 21, 2019, 10:15:01 am
Thank you for the welcome. I joined to find the answer to a specific question but I believe that this may help me in automating my home.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Rosco on April 26, 2019, 05:46:41 am
Hi, I am new to Alexa Echo. I am currently in the process of signing up to various options. I have the Alexa Flex app downloaded and all they seem to want me to do is sign up for premium, however, it does not tell me what it actually covers. I have Amazon Prime and have a trial period for music.
All i want to do is have available on Alexa, music, my contacts, telephone and the usual information like news and weather.
Can anyone recommend the best way to achieve what I want without costing a fortune.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: jwlv on April 26, 2019, 10:32:19 am
Who in the world suggested you to download Alexa Flex? Do you want to speak to your Echo in some other language?

Here's my advice to you. You don't need to pay for anything else. If you signed up for some free trials, cancel it. All of the basic features you mentioned are already included and you don't need to spend a dime more. But if you want to spend more money for something you already have, that's completely up to you.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: PeachyP on September 19, 2019, 02:00:31 pm
So happy this forum exists!  I rarely can find what I’m looking for in the Amazon forums! 

Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: lumatrix on November 08, 2019, 06:23:11 pm
Haha - love the 'It thinks my last name is a curse word - have to try it.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Ray1 on January 04, 2020, 04:14:40 pm
Thanks for the forum, I just came aboard. Great idea for reasons you mentioned, and the realm of Amazon Smart Devices is growing exponentially. I have them everywhere, latest is a Show 8 and the new smart oven (on the way I hope).

Kinda a jumble, though. Would help if there were sub-forums for, say, Plugs, Bulbs, Echo and Dots, Show, Ovens, Fire and other TV, Locks and thermostats, blah blah.

Regardless, kudos to you.
Ray
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: carolee 45 on January 31, 2020, 10:20:33 am
I never thought of it this way; those of us who are older, but grew up with Star Trek, have adopted these technologies easily, but I have friends who were not science fiction fans, my age (75), and they still use flip phones.  I wonder if there is a connection?
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: jwlv on January 31, 2020, 02:51:31 pm
I never thought of it this way; those of us who are older, but grew up with Star Trek, have adopted these technologies easily, but I have friends who were not science fiction fans, my age (75), and they still use flip phones.  I wonder if there is a connection?

LOL. Curious! So in other words, what we watch on TV might have an influence on what we know and what we become?
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Jake Hunter on June 29, 2020, 12:29:28 pm
Hello, thanks for letting me in.

I suspect my question isn't new but searches haven't shown an answer.

Echo has worked fine for 18 months but failed a couple of days ago. Following the restart process, after deregistering on my Amazon page, Echo won't connect to wifi, says device isn't registered and says to look at App. In the App, there appear to be no instructions on how to register the echo. Can anyone please help?

Echo will connect to wifi using a Hotspot from a phone. Router accepts new devices from within the home. Issue is Echo not finding router via wifi and the whole registration thing.

Apologies if this is a result question but I'm at the end of my teather....
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: kalanikaau on October 31, 2020, 05:38:11 pm
Aloha from Hawaii and
Mahalo for allowing me to join this forum!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Herkdriver234 on December 19, 2020, 07:47:07 pm
Thanks everyone!!
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: Hoofharted on October 07, 2021, 06:24:12 am
Greetings from the home of the Alamo and the Spurs. I am really late to the party because everything was going smoothly until Echo got a hold of Aussie talk. No offense meant.Since I live in a glass house I won't throw any stones. I've already posted my problem on the other forum.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: blackbr1 on October 21, 2021, 09:39:30 am
Hello All, greetings from Brazil, nice to connect you all.
 8) 8) 8) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: asnider123 on December 01, 2021, 03:36:47 pm
Thanks for your group. I have just been trying things to see if they work. Glad there are others with expertise that dcan be of help. We have 2 Echo Dots in the home, 2 Fire HD10, and one Echo-Auto (just bought another but not yet installed). Next stop: home automation.
Title: Re: Welcome aboard!
Post by: miklahoma on October 07, 2022, 08:15:27 am
Greetings Earthlings!  :)

I'm a Computer Engineer in Oklahoma.  Last week, I purchased an Echo Show 5 and I've been using it to make video calls with my family and listen to Amazon Music & SiriusXM.  Next, I want to "stream" my own massive collection of MP3s from my local Intranet.  So, far I have not been impresed with the available options.  I've tried My Media & Plex.  I don't like having to log in to somebody else's server to play music from within my own network.  Then, their software would randomly disconnect from the external server.  Their software also had problems displaying the correct MP3 tag data even though all my files have been vetted with the correct information.  I'd prefer a localized solution that stays within my Intranet (even if I have to create it myself).  I'll be playing with Kodi this weekend, which I have used in the past on an Android TV box, PCs, and a Raspberry Pi.

Cheers,
Miklahoma