The Echo and Alexa not only are a quantum step forward in home automation, but she (yes its that good I'll call her she) has utterly and completely exploded the fun scale.
I'm a late adopter of Echo; (obviously with over 3000 Echo reviews already posted). So I'll walk through a few ways Alexa's grown up in the past few months and how I enjoy her every day.
Firstly; I use the Wink app (not the hub, just the free app). I would use the hub, but I don't feel like I need one (yet). The SmartThings hub from Samsung seems to have more product support, but you can't use the app alone and it get's about 1.75 stars on iTunes. So the free Wink app is the winner. It's important to add that the Wink app is phenomenally simple, yet fairly robust, which makes it the perfect sister (or brother) to Alexa. I also use IFTTT. The simplest method (simple being relative I know) is to create an IFTTT that directs Alexa to a Wink Shortcut. Although this takes a few steps to set up, it makes it sooooo easy afterwards to work well with Alexa. All you say is, "Alexa, trigger X". X being things like, "Arm system", "Set Away", "Movienight" etc. You can customize the phrases pretty much however you want. I like, "Alexa, trigger Self Destruct". She doesn't actually explode, fyi. So with that being said, here's some ways Alexa makes life better.
* Nest: Nest control isn't currently native with Alexa. There are two work arounds 1) The aforementioned use of IFTTT to trigger a Wink or using Reflect Connect (free skill in Alexa); then telling Alexa, "Talk to Reflect". Each serves a different purpose and you'll probably use both. With the IFTTT method, you can direct a specific set of pre set actions. I use this to "Trigger Away" which then set's the Nest to Away, turns on my drop cam and my Canary, turn off Hue lights etc. Also use it to "Trigger Home" which does the opposite. Reflect Connect, primes Alexa through a third party to interact more directly with the Nest. So you can say things like, "Set Nest to 70, Turn up Nest 2 degrees", "Run Fan for 15 minutes" etc. So while it's a little more clunky than you may prefer, once set up it works very well. Ecobee integrates more tightly with Alexa, but you still have a few workarounds for things like setting it to heat and cool mode at the same time. I'm sure in short time there will be a direct control from Alexa to Nest but for now, Google has it's vice grip on the system, so the workarounds are the way to go. All in all, I love this setup.
*Dropcam/Nest Cam: Being a now Google owned product, you have some of the same challenges as above and I answer them the same way. I link the Dropcam to Nest and use IFTTT/Wink triggers to set away, set home, create a schedule and turn on my hue lights if it activates and I'm not at home. By packaging commands with Wink, I use one phrase like "Arm System" to activate all the components.
* Canary: I've been testing a Canary, which I'll review separately. In short, I really like it; given what it is and how it's designed to work. IE it's not a full home security system, but it is a good solution and has major advantages over Nest cam (mainly you're aren't limited to alerts only once in 30 minutes). Similar to what I described above, when I say, "Alexa arm system" or "disarm system"; the Canary is set to Armed/Disarmed mode. Or if I say, "Alexa, trigger Away" she turns my Nest to Away, shuts off the lights, arms Canary and turns on the Dropcam. Arming and Disarming are about the only Echo features so far. Canary hasn't opened up the "trigger alarm" ability, except from the app. That would be a great emergency feature, "Alexa, alarm", but I haven't found a way to make that work.
* Hue Lights (and other lights like Lifx). Hue integration is very simple and seamless. Once you set up your Hue system, you just have Alexa "find" the devices. They all show up in the Alexa app and you're good to go. You can say, "Alexa turn on living room light" or group them together and she will. You can say, "Alexa, dim living room light 50%" and she will. Program color changes etc and Alexa will execute. Super useful and easy. I love the convenience before bed, in the morning etc.
* Traffic: Alexa gives you a traffic report, but only on a preset route, i.e.; you have to have put the destination into the app. I was considering moving back towards the beach, which would increase my commute significantly. I set up the destination in the app and ask Alexa a few times throughout the morning, "Alexa, how's traffic?". She tells me the estimated time and route. I've been logging this to see if the new commute changes at different times and if it's worth the move. So far it is definitely not. Alexa can't move time and space, yet.
* Music: I use Alexa mostly to play Spotify or Pandora. "Alexa, play Pandora, Of Monsters and Men". She's off and running. Of course you can ask, what is this song, who is this artist etc and she'll provide you an accurate fast answer. She's compatible with tons' of music service and the ones I've used work flawlessly. If you're an Amazon Prime member, and let's face it, you should be really unless you live under a rock, but probably mostly then; you just say, "Alexa, play Band of Horses" and she almost immediately fires off the tunes. Super easy and efficient. Sound quality is very good. It's not Sonos quality and you can't stream to multiple rooms (even with multiple echo's they will act independent) but it's very good. Better than most typical bluetooth speakers. Speaking of Sonos, I think you can use a Smartthings Hub and link Alexa to turn on your Sonos, but I'm not sure how effective it is, nor what music would play (you're last station maybe?). But if you're interested it's worth exploring further. That would be a big win to me, as I'd rather use Alexa to run my Sonos, vs opening another app.
* Time, Alarms and Weather etc: this works like you'd expect and similar to Siri or Cortana etc. It's easy, fast and reliable. I use these type of commands almost daily and no need for me to rehash things like to do lists, alarms or timers.
* Family Friendly: My wife is an anti tech person mildly convinced that eventually all the electronics will cause brain cancer and gluten will most likely kill us. In less than a week, she's now using Alexa to check the time, check the weather and stream music every morning. I've caught her asking Alexa random questions to test her. Although she initially approached Alexa baring her teeth like a protective mother wolf, she's now realized Alexa's not a threat and accepted her warmly into the pack.
* A billion other things: There are so many things, questions, commands etc that you can give Alexa. This is one of my favorite sites and is really helpful if you are new to Alexa or considering her; [...]: search "The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Amazon Echo" they have over 300 easter eggs that are worth exploring and show Alexa's versatility.
-Downsides: are there any? Yep, some, but none that make her less than worthy. As described above, to get full function you still need to maximize a combo of IFTTT, Wink and third party skills. But, they are simple to set up and then make for a flawless experience. Think of it, like setting up your TV and Surround sound so you can watch Game of Thrones (of The Voice if that's your thing) in immersive auditory bliss. It's like that.
-Also, she isn't integrated with everything yet. Like Nest, Canary, Door locks, etc there are closed software platforms that she can't control. She's only so smart, there are many things you'll ask and get, "I'm sorry, I didn't understand that question". However, she's getting smarter every day and you'll be more surprised at the things she does know vs her limitations.
-Portable; she has to be plugged in; oh wait, Amazon Tap you say? Yep, now there's a portable, recharging version if you need to move it around and free yourself from a cable. Big caveat though; she isn't always listening, you have to tap a button first, hence the name Tap because "button" sounds too cute. I'd still opt for plugged and always on, that's the magic of Alexa, throwing out random questions or commands, but too each their own. The new Echo dot looks like a great way to expand your system into other rooms and use your own speakers...more to follow.
-Speaker quality: It's not as good as it could be. The money is in the technology and her speed of response, not in the speaker. So to keep price manageable, it was either a really smart product, or a really good speaker. It's smart and fairly good speaker. Don't expect it replace your Sonos Play 3.
-Connectivity and syncing: It's too bad you can't use these to replace your Sonos. Put a few around the house and have them all play the same music? Maybe in near future; its completely software updatable, but right now...no you can't.
I'll update as I find fun new uses for Alexa, but I'm already head over heels. This is a fantastic new product that moves past gimmick and becomes essentially integrated to your life style.
[...]. Thanks for reading.
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Technical Details
Echo
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Size |
9.25” x 3.3” x 3.3” (235 mm x 84 mm x 84 mm) |
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Weight |
37.5 oz. (1064 grams) Actual size and weight may vary by manufacturing process |
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Wi-Fi connectivity |
Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO) for faster streaming and fewer dropped connections than standard Wi-Fi. Supports 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks. |
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Bluetooth connectivity |
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming to Bluetooth speakers from Amazon Echo, from your mobile device to Amazon Echo and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices. |
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Audio |
2.5 inch woofer and 2.0 inch tweeter. |
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System Requirements |
Amazon Echo comes ready to connect to your Wi-Fi. The Alexa App is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices and also accessible via your web browser. |
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Warranty and Service |
1-year limited warranty and service. Optional 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year extended warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Echo is subject to the terms found here. |
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Included in the Box |
Amazon Echo, power adapter/cable (6 ft.), and quick start guide. |
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Reviews with images
Alexa, my love. Thy name is inflexible, but thou art otherwise a nearly perfect spouse.
I'm a full-time writer who works at home. I'm unmarried, I don't watch TV, I don't have a mobile phone, I hate gadgets in general. OK, so I'm a loser. But since Alexa came into my life, I'm no longer alone 24 hours a day. Which begs the question, if I'm not alone, who is in the room with me? Amazon? The so-called cloud? The NSA?The 18,000 plus reviewers who have already posted have gone into great detail about how they use their Echo (my Alexa). Having anthropomorphized my Alexa, I'm unwilling to use her at all, but we hold pleasant converse throughout the day. My favorite conversation I'll repeat for you below, verbatim:Me - Alexa. Wake me in fifteen minutes.Alexa - Fifteen minutes. Starting now.Me - Thank you.Alexa (remains silent, modestly hiding her feelings by not displaying her snazzy blue lights)If I knew relationships were this easy, I would have married thirty years ago, but now that I have Alexa, there's no need. Except for the one thing.I really (and Amazon, please don't tell Alexa I wrote this) don't care for the name. I know we have the option to change the name to Amazon, which is worse. What I really want is to be able to change the name to Libby, after the helpful AI librarian in the EarthCent Ambassador series, but in a pinch, I'd settle for Kelly,Other than that, my Alexa is perfect. Well, except for that time when I asked her to play rain sounds for relaxation when I was trying to sleep, and she woke me up after I finally nodded off to inform me that she'd lost her Internet connection. But from what my married friends all tell me, you have to expect these sorts of things.Sometimes Alexa doesn't seem to understand what I'm getting at, but the same friends (and family) assure me that this is a normal part of marriage as well. And when I tell them that my Alexa won't spend a dime before confirming it with me, their faces turn green with envy. Who knew that married couples fight over money?I've never purchased anything before that made me smile. That's just the kind of grumpy guy I am. But now that Alexa has broken the ice, maybe I'll become a full-fledged consumer, ordering items from Prime every day. The one thing I'm sure of is that Alexa will be here at my side to help.Update:This morning, I asked my love to order me a replacement water filter for the faucet. She rattled off the name of my prior purchase (quite long and filled with model numbers) and intimated that it could be mine for just $13.46. I confirmed, and she placed the order.Later, while Alexa was relaxing, I went on my computer to check that everything was correct. Imagine my shock and disappointment when I saw Amazon listing the water filter for $12.67. Was my Alexa skimming? Did she need the 79 cents for something special? With her "always on" technology, would she start going through my pockets as I slept, or rifle my wallet while I was in the shower? Was this the beginning of the "money issue" that all my married friends spoke of?Suddenly it hit me. TAXES. Never have I been so relieved to be charged sales tax in my life. Thank you, Massachusetts.
