Amazon is opening up preorders for the Echo in the UK today, priced at £149.99 in the UK. However, Amazon Prime customers will be able to get £50 off Echo preorders if they order in the next two days.
*** What is Amazon Echo? ***
The Amazon Echo is a voice-controlled smart speaker, which incorporates Alexa – Amazon’s AI (similar to Google Now on Android or Siri on iOS). As you can see from the design of the speakers, they provide 360º omni-directional audio.It incorporates far-field voice recognition so that it can hear you from across the room.
Alexa can be used to answer questions on news, weather, traffic etc. The speaker can be used to play music from Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn and others.
The Echo can also be used to control your smarthome, including lights, switches, and thermostats compatible with WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest, and ecobee smart home devices
*** Terms and conditions ***
- New and existing Amazon Prime members who pre-order Amazon Echo (“Promoted Product”) on http://www.amazon.co.uk during the validity of the offer will be eligible for a £50 discount on the full price (£149.99) of the Promoted Product (the “Offer”).
- The Offer is valid until 16 September 2016 at 5:00 p.m. or while supplies last, whichever is earlier.
For everyone asking what the differences between the two are, please see following link:
Kind of like apps for the Alexa, few examples of what can be activated.
- jaypee24
Top comments
Paperlantern
14 Sep 16152#11
"Alexa - do I need another gadget in my home?"
"Absolutely!"
*Ordered*
the porter to Ammo71
14 Sep 1658#3
Not yet not yet not yet not yet not yet not yetttttttttttttttt :wink:
benjai
14 Sep 1655#13
Sounds more like the missus :neutral_face:
dona3853
14 Sep 1647#28
And the bonus to this is that once all your friends and family have deserted you because they think you are a tool because all you do is show everyone who walks through the door, you can pretend it's your friend and have conversations with it and not feel quite so lonely.
All comments (988)
Ammo71
14 Sep 16#1
Any information on the echo?
the porter to Ammo71
14 Sep 1658#3
Not yet not yet not yet not yet not yet not yetttttttttttttttt :wink:
How do you get the £50 off, is it at the checkout?
Tejstar to Primed101
14 Sep 161#8
Yes, at checkout.
dcmcquade to Primed101
14 Sep 161#9
Yep. Is shown as £149.99 until you actually go through to the checkout then it shows you the discount. NOT for 1-click orders though I believe so be careful!
Tejstar
14 Sep 161#5
Thanks for the link. Instant pre-order at that price - I've been waiting for this to hit the UK for a while!
bigmike2028
14 Sep 163#6
About time it was released here
dcmcquade
14 Sep 168#7
Link live now, just pre-ordered at £99.99.
Do I need it? No. Do I want an expensive plastic gadget I can use to control my hue lights? Of course!!
ScarboroughKID
14 Sep 162#10
Ordered. Been waiting for this announcement and very pleased with the £99.99 price point.
no no no no no!!! unless this has a great speaker rivalling the other 100 pounds wireless speakers then this is just a joke that will get boring very quickly
benjai
14 Sep 1655#13
Sounds more like the missus :neutral_face:
anthony212
14 Sep 1612#14
I don't understand why you'd want to buy one of these unless you're one of the TV advert type families
Oneday77 to anthony212
14 Sep 163#16
If it is as competent as the Amazon TV voice search, then it would be handy.
Though My 4 Year old will have complete control and I won't be able to hide the remote.
CrispEditor
14 Sep 166#15
Am confused. Do they pay you 99GBP to have one, or do you pay them?
*Why* would I want one. Cant understand this at all. Do people really want every device in their house to talk to them?
Marekj to CrispEditor
14 Sep 164#59
Yes. I get lonely.
jai47
14 Sep 1617#17
Despite reading all the info about this - I still have no idea what use it would have for me.
Along with some discount codes:
Buy 5 get 1 Free > Code: DOT6PACK
By 10 get 2 free > Code: DOT12PACK
Enter codes at checkout.
Bluefusion
14 Sep 162#18
Just pre ordered the echo £99 and Dot for £49.
mikegrath
14 Sep 164#19
didn't need it...ordered anyway.
nickmorc
14 Sep 161#20
Another gadget ordered !
justonemorepie
14 Sep 161#21
I have two already. wonder if my kids would like them. at these prices they are a steal.
MonkeyMan90 to justonemorepie
15 Sep 16#561
How do you have 2 already when they aren't even released yet. This is a pre order
snugglepops
14 Sep 16#22
Drop it like it's hawt!
jaydeeuk1
14 Sep 16#23
Awesome, had built a raspberry pi version but not having to press a button to talk will be a bonus.
Will get one of these and probably a couple of dots to go with the hue and wireless sockets.
Warlax to jaydeeuk1
14 Sep 161#159
I've done the same :smiley: although check out snowboy, u can eliminate the button without constant streaming or resorting to pocket sphinx!
JustinJ
14 Sep 162#24
If you've got an ipad can't you do this by talking to Siri with iOS10?
magicpork to JustinJ
14 Sep 161#41
ipad won't be able to hear you a few meters away even in a very quiet environment... Echo can be used in a music filled room ..that makes a very big difference to me
dhod
14 Sep 164#25
I've had the US one for a while.
For anybody that isn't aware it's kind of an alernative, more natural way of communicating with Siri.
Simple questions/commands like:
"alexa, what's the weather like today"
"alexa, play the stone roses"
"alexa, play my top hits playlist"
as well as more useful commands
"alexa, decrease the temperature by 2 deg" (nest, etc)
"alexa, turn lights off" (hue)
etc
qwerta369 to dhod
14 Sep 161#110
..but you can do all this with your phone. This item serves no purpose.
papasb to dhod
14 Sep 161#224
There is going to be no jobs left for kids.
When I was young it was "hey, can you turn it over to channel 3" - which migrated to "hey, can you grab me the remote" ...
With this there is pretty much no value in children. Unless you still have issues with your chimney that is.
colin912 to dhod
15 Sep 16#486
Sounds like another gadget looking for something to do. I do not have a problem turning the thermostat down 2 degrees or flicking a light switch on or off. As for telling me the weather, what is wrong with looking out of the window? I have an alarm clock already and I play my music direct to my blue tooth enabled speakers directly from my IPhone. Not for me. I can thing of many other things to waste £99.99 on.
jaydeeuk1
14 Sep 162#26
Some good videos on YouTube on what it can do.
Combine with ifttt and it's pretty powerful.
nekoangel
14 Sep 163#27
Ok so what's the point in the full alexa? Isn't the dot just smaller, Cheaper and better if put with nicer speakers?
jaydeeuk1 to nekoangel
14 Sep 1634#29
Buy first, ask questions later.
Paperlantern to nekoangel
14 Sep 162#30
Pretty sure the Dot can't be standalone?
dona3853
14 Sep 1647#28
And the bonus to this is that once all your friends and family have deserted you because they think you are a tool because all you do is show everyone who walks through the door, you can pretend it's your friend and have conversations with it and not feel quite so lonely.
jaydeeuk1 to dona3853
14 Sep 166#32
Simple, add a raspberry pi modded to control front door lock. "Alexa, trigger front door lock on", and then they can't escape.
nekoangel
14 Sep 16#31
I probably will but you know curiosity.... Hah
wavefront
14 Sep 16#33
I’m rely tempted as I’ve wanted one for a long time but I think google home is likely to be a lot better, can anyone tell me when google home is likely to be released?
adamdevlin to wavefront
14 Sep 161#37
Apparently there is an event to announce it on the 4th of October, so hopefully not long after that. Im gonna wait and see how it looks as I would like the better integration with Chromecast.
jaydeeuk1 to wavefront
14 Sep 161#39
Trouble is, companies are more likely to work with Amazon than Google, and they have a pretty decent headstart.
DonkeyKonk
14 Sep 167#34
"Can you put porn on my TV"
Bad Actor to DonkeyKonk
14 Sep 161#217
I can with my Firestick, Kodi, and a press of the button for Navi X.
Great way to wake up in the morning :smiley:
Redfaction
14 Sep 162#35
How does the sound output of the Echo compare to the Play 1 or similar speaker systems?
mambas9
14 Sep 161#36
black or white flavour? arrrrgh!
shango
14 Sep 162#38
How loud do these get as speakers?
dhod to shango
14 Sep 163#40
the speaker is pretty decent for playing music, nice bass, tones etc. Enough to fill a room nicely without sounding horrid
dhod
14 Sep 16#42
Correct. Dot connects to the Echo and you can have your Echo in the lounge, and a dot in the bedroom, so you can still interact.
wavefront
14 Sep 16#43
Thanks for the head up.
Only a week after the amazon echo would arrive though I’m guessing that’s no coincidence amazon decided to release it ahead of the announcement. Hmmm decisions decisions…
Spakkle
14 Sep 16#44
damn it! £99 down now, but oh so excited!! :smiley:
iRomek
14 Sep 161#45
been waiting for this to finally come out in the UK... ordered!!!!! :stuck_out_tongue:
Pureego
14 Sep 161#46
What is difference between the echo and echo dot apart from style
BlueHorizonUK
14 Sep 164#47
Dot v2 (the one on the UK site) can be standalone. nothing in the requirements says you need the full size one.
magicpork
14 Sep 162#48
for people like me who has a bunch of Philip Hues and Logitech Harmony this is a godend as I can use it to control pretty much every thing in my rooms.
in the worst case, it's just an adequate BT speaker which happens to answer some very basic questions (weather, news headline, etc) ..
wavefront
14 Sep 162#49
I don’t know, amazon defiantly have the head start but google have the infrastructure behind them and for better or worse google know a lot more about me that they could leverage to make it more useful and though it’s a personal thing I’m heavily tied into the google’s echo system. I link the idea of telling google home to resume playing breaking bad and for it to switch on the TV and steam an episode to chromecast (just that little bit closer to living in startrec).
cjx
14 Sep 16#50
Had some credit so Ive ordered one. Says it will work with Hive as well so a bonus for me there.
mluton
14 Sep 16#51
Thank you bought.
Mr Hunter
14 Sep 16#52
Gonna look into this a little more. Do you need one per room?
nekoangel
14 Sep 16#53
See this is what I was thinking. apart from big alexa coming out sooner I can't see anything else I'm missing.
magicpork
14 Sep 162#54
Dot can be used stand-alone.. no Echo needed.
BlueHorizonUK
14 Sep 16#55
The Dot is basically the top section of the Echo and missing the long speaker. If not too bothered about the speaker and/or planning to hook Dot up to your own speaker setup then no need to get the full size Echo.
One does wonder if these will go down on Black Friday.
magicpork
14 Sep 16#56
Yep..pretty much the only difference is the sound quality..that won't make up for the difference of £100 (dot £50, echo £150) but at £50 (echo £100 w/ prime discount) it's a much harder choice
adsham
14 Sep 161#57
Just that it has the 2.5 inch woofer and 2.0 inch tweeter whereas the dot doesn't
Zarjaz2000
14 Sep 162#58
"Only one per Prime customer..."
Unless you order one black and one white - two for £200. Sold!
nekoangel
14 Sep 16#60
So what are people going to go for? Big or small?
Surely For 50 quid you can get a nice set of speakers to go with the small one?
Pureego
14 Sep 16#61
Why would you buy the echo £99, when you can get the dot for £49 what is difference apart from the speaker
BlueHorizonUK to Pureego
14 Sep 16#63
Only the speaker is the difference.
mluton to Pureego
14 Sep 16#64
A Noticeable lounge ornement, a show off piece of hardware. :smiley:
Babbler to Pureego
14 Sep 16#93
The dot are "extenders" for the echo - ie you need the echo for the dot to work... i think. lol
superdave14 to Pureego
14 Sep 16#328
My thought exactly, reviews say the speaker on the echo is t very good anyway but the mic pics up audio better on the echo over the dot
anthony69
14 Sep 16#62
Tempted, but think I'll save myself £100 and use the traditional methods
Pureego
14 Sep 164#65
cool thanks, i think i will order both just for the sake of it. Mrs may go mad but maybe I can tell Echo to
" switch the Mrs off " :smile:
JustinJ
14 Sep 16#66
May be a worthwile purchase then. Thanks
TonyLeMesmer
14 Sep 16#67
Got one from the states in December, the Dot looks nice for £49! Probably worth waiting to see what Google Home is like though first.
swelsbyuk
14 Sep 167#68
Alexa, don't ever play Adele.
jaypee24
14 Sep 161#69
Long shot.. but anyone know if the US version will get an update to work properly in the UK? I have one but there are certain restrictions as it is the US version (traffic updates, weather etc..)
vinty to jaypee24
14 Sep 16#74
I would imagine you will just be able to change address in the app and it will revert to UK settings. I am hoping so as I also have one from the US
vinty to jaypee24
14 Sep 16#76
I would imagine you will just be able to change address in the app and it will revert to UK settings. I am hoping so as I also have one from the US
its a good price but think i will hold off until the dot gets a discount. £35 or something like that
JustinJ
14 Sep 16#75
Are you sure you don't need an echo for a dot to work?
Ignore that.
One review said you did, but I just saw another which says you don't
mpazza
14 Sep 161#77
I cant see a 3.5mm out on the big one which is a shame as would be nice to have the option to plug it into something better sounding on some occasions.
jaypee24
14 Sep 161#78
I hope so!! I'm guessing we will need to update the version somehow. Will probably be available after release on the 28th! Ordered a couple just now either way :smiley:
SandLake
14 Sep 16#79
I got one from the US - anyone know when we can have an Alexa UK account?
CaptainSocks
14 Sep 16#80
How locked into the Amazon echo system is this?
All my music is on Google Play Music.
If it can access that I'm interested.
tek-monkey to CaptainSocks
14 Sep 169#83
Its from amazon, expect it to be tied up like a BDSM fanatic.
jaypee24 to CaptainSocks
14 Sep 16#85
cannot use google music, can use spoitfy premium and amazon music
DrHotUK to CaptainSocks
14 Sep 16#171
Youll have to wait for Google Home.. due to be announced next month! I ve already invested into google with Nest and also use Google Play... I just imagine Google Home is going to have tighter integration into android than Amazon will.
Robbo11 to CaptainSocks
15 Sep 16#357
Same here. Don't think this is for me.
austinc
14 Sep 16#81
i thought it was just the americans walk around shouting at their devices with a cheesy life's perfect smile. I would feel like a right berk if anyone was about. :man:
amour3k to austinc
14 Sep 16#84
Ahhhhhhhhhh, the Old Skool English in you cometh, huh?, hahahahaha.
It's interesting what you say though?, lol. :-)
amour3k
14 Sep 161#82
Might be time for an 'upgrade' then?, hehehehe (but, I could be wrong ..... ) :-)
silentplayer
14 Sep 161#86
That's all great, what does it actually do?:neutral_face:
yomanation
14 Sep 16#87
Awesome, now I get to be less active than ever!
To be fair, it's a nice novelty item, but I have no interest in it. Fairly affordable price, though, so heat added.
Haste
14 Sep 161#88
I'm looking for a new BT speaker...am I worth investing my money elsewhere, or is the echo good, especially for the £99 price point?
jaypee24 to Haste
14 Sep 161#91
To be honest, I have no complaints, I have had for around 4-5 months, works great as a Bluetooth speaker and the voice commands are useful!
austinc to Haste
14 Sep 161#98
Ive a feeling you are paying for the features rather than sound quality in this thing. I'm looking for a bt speaker myself, after a lot of review reading & video watching, the JBL flip 3 is looking like the one to go for for what i need. £80 on currys ebay at the minute.
Only 250 songs uploaded for free. After that you need Prime membership.
Yeah.
F that.
Think I'll stick with my free 20GB on Google Play Music thanks.
gsusx
14 Sep 161#92
Code not valid for me :S
mi5tery
14 Sep 16#94
There's also an additional £5 discount for those with Amazon Student - hence £94.99
NightHawk82 to mi5tery
14 Sep 16#99
My student discount is not being applied :disappointed: anyone else getting the discount?
Fredoo to mi5tery
14 Sep 16#118
Can you please tell me how I can use my student discount for this?
rapid111111 to mi5tery
14 Sep 16#133
Didn't get that discount and I'm amazon student
xeroc to mi5tery
14 Sep 16#180
Pretty certain Amazon branded technology products are excluded from the NUS discount scheme.
uczmeg
14 Sep 16#95
Seems they've let Spotify join the party too.
Of course you can connect to your phone via bluetooth and listen to Google Music, Apple Music or any other service too. But that's not quite the point.
iPlayer radio would be a nice one for them to add.
uczmeg
14 Sep 16#96
No the Dot v2 doesn't need you to have an Echo. It's an Echo without a speaker (well it has a small one so Alexa can talk back to you).
The Dot isn't available until October 20th.
nekoangel
14 Sep 16#97
Well I've pre order big alexa. Seeing as she has a discount now it seems the best option.
I'm more inclined by the dot Tbh so if the dot gets a reduction I'll probably sell the big one on or return it.
andysmoore
14 Sep 161#100
Sound quality is a bit poop apparently.
NitrousUK
14 Sep 164#101
Now if only it could respond to "Hello computer", I could really feel like I'm in Star Trek
TheMexicaliKid to NitrousUK
15 Sep 161#368
It can, there's an option to change the "wake up" command (definitely useful for households with somone called Alexa!)
jaypee24
14 Sep 161#102
Neither did I!.. just spoke to them on chat and they have said they will refund 5% when the order is processed.
HibaTosh
14 Sep 16#103
I have one from the US for months now, it is cool but the restriction to US only info like weather and traffic is just a bummer.
The kids love it as there are some good interactive games for it like spelling and what not. The mic is very sensitive and I don't need to shout or raise my voice for it to work. It really is cool.
Can't wait for the UK version to come out so I can use the UK app on it.
So you can control your Sonos speakers directly from Alexa once the update hits, no need to buy the full fat version with a potentially less potent speaker than your existing Sonos speaker (s) but control your music via speech on Alexa instead :smiley:
shabbird
14 Sep 16#106
can you tell it to play computer like files video etc..
mixtlupus
14 Sep 162#107
Can't afford it, don't like things listening to me, have no use for it, OOOOOOW Gadget, Bought it!
kennethsross
14 Sep 16#108
Thanks, OP! Another (hopefully useful) toy to play with!
ffa1
14 Sep 16#109
Just subscribed to Amazon prime so I could buy one for £99.99. Then I heard about the Dot available for £50 on 20 October so I cancelled the Echo and pre-ordered a Dot.
kennethsross
14 Sep 164#111
You sound just like my wife!
Point Blank
14 Sep 161#112
Didn't even know this existed until this post. Just ordered one. FML.
allowed to Point Blank
14 Sep 161#323
FML= fix my lighthouse
Rid1
14 Sep 16#113
Looks like a cheap pedal lid bin
YusL
14 Sep 16#114
Does family 16 work in conjunction with this product
Turns out that you in fact do not need Echo to make Echo Dot work, Echo Dot is the next version up. That's probably why Amazon are trying to discount the Echo, as they know the Dot is releasing not so long after.
EDIT: Maybe not - according to media sites who already have it.
theroninhunter
14 Sep 16#122
Not sure if I can justify £99 for a smart speaker. I can just stream my music to the TV through my bose speaker
ch1z
14 Sep 16#123
Ordered then thought are you joking another thing in the house which no doubt will ignore me so cancelled and will wait and see.... Like the idea but really it's a lot for a speaker and plan to stop my prime service so seems madness to buy this. Fun for ten minutes or until the kids get it saying rude things......
Solly92
14 Sep 16#124
Actor: "Alexa define annoying"
Alexa: "Me"
I really don't what anything in my house connecting everything heard to the internet.
fuzzy_logic
14 Sep 16#125
You can upload up to 250000 of your own songs for £21.99 a year. The price is the same whether or not you are a Prime member.
Abbottwaa
14 Sep 161#126
You've gotta be gullible to buy this surely. Joke product with little credible features.
... So it tells you the weather, well I'll be dammed. It plays some music via voice control.... Stop the press!
It turns on lights... Shut the front door!
benlondon to Abbottwaa
14 Sep 161#147
if you go beyond the basics they are many useful features, seems you don't know a lot about it at all, and I'm not talking about the features on the box
garbage456
14 Sep 161#127
I will be calling mine KITT.
Pondlife
14 Sep 165#128
It can't do that yet
jameshargadon
14 Sep 16#129
Get a Psyc Monic, I paid £35 and it's the best Bluetooth speaker I have heard. I can't believe it packs as much low end as it does as well as being clear and loud, but there's no voice commanding options but for the money you can't go wrong
jameshargadon
14 Sep 165#130
I was just thinking how different the comment section would be if this useless thing was made by Apple.
Pondlife to jameshargadon
14 Sep 161#145
Well it would be four times the price
furiousjammin to jameshargadon
14 Sep 165#242
That's because if it was made by apple, the last version of echo would have been forced into a crippling software update rendering it useful to make you update to the newest version for an extortionate fee deemed acceptable by them. So yes, people would be criticising if it was Apple.
But don't worry. I'm sure Apple will have a version along in 6 months time claiming they invented the idea.
CosmicTrader
14 Sep 161#131
Why did I just order one?
HedgyHoggy
14 Sep 162#132
Okay....so.....WHERE IS THE HAL-9000 VERSION OF THIS? I want the red eye and everything. And it has to be cheeky...
'Hal, skype Pizza Hut.'
'I don't think you really want to do that, Dave.'
'And what is that?'
'The toaster and I have been talking and we've both noticed some extra poundage in your midsection.'
'There's going to be some poundage in your power socket in a minute.'
'I understand completely, Dave.'
'Oh, and my name is Amelia.'
'Sorry Amy.'
'I SAID AMELIA!'
bigmo_uk
14 Sep 161#134
not that I'm paranoid.. but this means that you are paying to give Amazon the ability to listen to your house?
efem to bigmo_uk
14 Sep 161#136
so as for microsoft ( cortana ), google ( now ) , or apple ( siri )
Splashmo
14 Sep 16#135
This definitely feels like a gadget too far.
BorisBear
14 Sep 16#137
Shiny stuff.....must purchase
sjaddy
14 Sep 161#138
Does it listen in to your conversations/arguments at home and then take sides by remembering what each of you said?
HTFCLUKE
14 Sep 16#139
Have you linked your NUS card with amazon, When you go to checkout it should show the discount applied before confirming purchase,
supremejj69
14 Sep 16#140
It sounds cool, but really what is the actual point of this thing? My smartphone can do everything this can do, and it'll get it right the first time too!
stotherd
14 Sep 16#141
The release date isn't a coincidence - rumour has it Google will announce their version proper at the start of October.
Pspvita
14 Sep 16#142
I don't know about that but i think it can be hacked and do wounder full things.
HedgyHoggy to Pspvita
14 Sep 16#158
'wonderful things' possible 2010 reference...? :smile:
smarky1
14 Sep 16#143
The Dot seems like the better option. Echo is only good if you wanted a speaker anyway.
Sonos are adding support for Echo soon and I have a hue bulb in my room so this will be awesome to control it. Having to get my phone, unlock, Sonos app, search for song and then play is a pain. Just being able to use voice control is super useful as long as this works well when music playing.
However £50 is a little expensive when they just reduced the price to $50 in the US, we are starting to see some items priced at the same pound value as the dollar value, not good!
Pondlife to smarky1
14 Sep 16#146
Tech has long been around dollar=pound prices.
Sharpharp
14 Sep 16#144
Can it be used to play DAB radio stations?
jaypee24 to Sharpharp
14 Sep 161#151
I belive it can play from 'TuneIn'
gsusx to Sharpharp
14 Sep 16#155
Yes and no. It does tune in radio which is Internet radio which probably has all the stations you want.
smarky1
14 Sep 16#148
The Dot seems like the better option. Echo is only good if you wanted a speaker anyway.
Sonos are adding support for Echo soon and I have a hue bulb in my room so this will be awesome to control it. Having to get my phone, unlock, Sonos app, search for song and then play is a pain. Just being able to use voice control is super useful as long as this works well when music playing.
However £50 is a little expensive when they just reduced the price to $50 in the US, we are starting to see some items priced at the same pound value as the dollar value, not good!
Petetobin to smarky1
14 Sep 16#160
Brexit my friend, have you looked at the USD to GBP rate plus our price has 20% Vat which Amazon collect on behalf of the government in the US sales tax is added on top. US price is around £38 and ours is £42.
RUGAAL
14 Sep 16#149
I believe you have to own big echo before ordering small ones
gsusx
14 Sep 161#150
Ignore me I'm an idiot.
bigmo_uk
14 Sep 16#153
none of which I use and none of which are permanently in one's home, so?
jaypee24
14 Sep 162#154
Great news for people who currently have US version. I contacted Amazon and they called me back regarding this.
Once this goes live on 28th Sept, you will need to de-register you Echo and the re-register for it to connect to the UK version/cloud.
Happy days!
Turret
14 Sep 16#156
I'd hold out for Googles version. The Echo is going to be dumb in comparison.
I've played with one of these and it quickly becomes a gimmick. Siri and Google Now is far more capable/intelligent.
nictry
14 Sep 161#157
No you don't
pdwelly
14 Sep 16#161
Looks so cool, connects to hive also. One black and one white ordered at £99 each!!
rapid111111 to pdwelly
14 Sep 16#182
Do you think it'll work with Hive Heating 1 or does it need 2?
mikebuk
14 Sep 161#162
Can't go wrong at £99, if it sucks sell it on
DrHotUK to mikebuk
14 Sep 161#173
If it SUCKS.. ill have it!
SCOUSEKEVIN
14 Sep 16#163
Get off your **** and flick a switch LOL (that`s what my old man would say if he wasnt dead ) and as I am now a Grandfather I am inclined to agree. I read an article a while ago that said the Chinese (maybe Japanese) had designed a toilet that did everything for you, at some point one of them is bound to malfunction, SCARY
Vistrix
14 Sep 16#164
Can anyone recommend a decent speaker to go with the dot but not break the £100 mark?
Warlax to Vistrix
14 Sep 161#166
jongo s3 - then you're primed to fill ur house with them, thats what I have done, and am VERY happy with that decision :smiley: - check ebay u can pick them up for like £35-50
JustinJ to Vistrix
14 Sep 165#209
An echo?
CouchPotatoe
14 Sep 161#165
Those with US versions you can already fool them to provide UK time and location / weather / traffic etc ( but not Amazon Prime Music UK )
I've had an Echo and a Dot for some time and they are really fun gadgets - everyone in the family likes them and I have just got a couple more. Using Spotify and I also have them controlling my lighting and heating and even telling me who's calling on my telephone line (but this needs extra bits to accomplish). One of my favourite purchases.
loopie
14 Sep 16#167
Can the Echo control a Hue Led bulb directly, or do I need a hub? thanks
dhod to loopie
14 Sep 16#170
you need the philips hue bridge, if that's what you mean?
justonemorepie to loopie
14 Sep 16#197
you need a hub.
deany76 to loopie
14 Sep 16#259
can you sell @roadie and myself on this "Hue" it gets mentioned a lot whats the big deal about it - I don't get it?
Apparently I'm better with LED bulbs in the kitchen (all 4 blown). not sure if its that relevant but have wi-fi.
thanks
Plumbboy55
14 Sep 16#168
will this thing play BBC radio for free over the internet? could i come downstairs in the morning and say 'Echo, play radio 4' or something like that? been looking for a replacement radio for the kitchen/dining room. thanks in advance :smiley:
Petetobin to Plumbboy55
14 Sep 16#172
Yes you can and the voice recognition is very good and very quick.
Plumbboy55
14 Sep 16#174
Thank you very much for the quick reply. Deffo interested in this then.
GurneyFlap
14 Sep 16#175
Excellent, been waiting patiently for them to release it over here. The Prime member discount is the icing on the cake for me. Thanks OP.
Vistrix
14 Sep 16#176
Cool. Thanks! I'll check it out.
knack
14 Sep 16#177
So it's discount for customers who have linked their NUS card, not customers with an Amazon Student membership.
omgpleasespamme
14 Sep 16#178
I'd be interested in this if it didn't have to connect to the internet in order to work.
Sharpharp to omgpleasespamme
14 Sep 165#181
Without the internet, it would be cheaper to buy a tin of Pringles and paint it black and write "Alexa" on it sideways with Tipex. :laughing:. i.e. same ability
GurneyFlap to omgpleasespamme
14 Sep 16#199
So just a bluetooth speaker then?
robwdavies
14 Sep 16#179
I love a gadget as much as the next person but I'm struggling to see the point of this.
quidstretchy
14 Sep 161#183
Hey Echo, why can't I afford something with Siri?
hard123
14 Sep 162#184
After realizing that my android phone and possibly my moto 360 were recording my conversations at random points over the past year I'd probably not trust a Google device built around purposefully listening in.
I know the recordings are harmless In principle but it's still a lil bit closer to big brother than I'd frankly like
Daftfool666
14 Sep 161#185
Is this not to add the echo onto another room, rather than an equivalent product...
Petetobin
14 Sep 16#186
Correct
tighty
14 Sep 16#187
won't invest in them until they link to each other. I want this asy multiple room setup but they don't even sync. sorry amazon I will wait until they do
Magurdrac
14 Sep 162#188
As someone who lives alone, I think this would just make a creepy, depressing addition to my home.
sharkey63rd
14 Sep 16#189
would this fit in a ps4?
kruger99
14 Sep 161#190
Edward Snowden might as well give up.
suniil
14 Sep 16#191
Just ordered echo dot. I can confirm that there is no NUS discount. I hope this work with my Philips Hue, SmartThings & Hive.
justonemorepie to suniil
14 Sep 161#203
definitely works with smartthings and hue. mine does.
gledster
14 Sep 161#192
I must be among the minority who can't possibly see the need for this in my life. By the time I've said "Alexa...." I could've looked up what I wanted to know on my tablet.
Interesting technology but I can't see how it would be more than a gimmick for me personally and I'm fairly certain I wouldn't use it after the first week, if that.
thekitkatshuffler
14 Sep 163#193
Yep, that's how Echo works.
Pspvita
14 Sep 16#194
A dog is for life Alexa is fr life.
justonemorepie
14 Sep 16#195
wrong. both the v1 and v2 dots are standalone.
kg808
14 Sep 162#196
if you have ordered it, you can get a head start on configuring it here
TylerDurdenUK to kg808
15 Sep 16#536
Seems the app is not available in the UK yet.
fishmaster
14 Sep 161#198
Alexa close the curtains
Alexa bring me the rubber gloves
Alexa?
Alexa?
WTF?
Alexa send yourself back to Amazon
Pinksparkles1973 to fishmaster
15 Sep 161#409
Trust you to lower the tone! :stuck_out_tongue:
kemik
14 Sep 16#200
Can you sign up for Amazon Prime 30-day trial and buy it at this price does anyone know or does it have to be a 'full' membership?
Thanks
argosextra to kemik
14 Sep 16#229
I have Amazon prime 30 day trial and I went to checkout and got £50.00 discount so to answer your question you don't need to have a full membership if that helps
mbugsy18
14 Sep 16#201
Do Amazon Debit your credit card now or when it ships?
st2000 to mbugsy18
14 Sep 161#205
Always when it ships
deany76
14 Sep 16#202
these.are very popular in the US recently the CEO of SONOS John MacFarlane mentioned Echo and the future being this type of product
I buy mostly from Amazon due to Prime and 4 recommendations still on my account
massive SONOS fan
I'm in
No Quibble return - ordering
Thanks OP
PS
As had £40 credit got remote and WiFi plug - "Alexia turn light on in dining room" etc while in another room the later is discounted to.
Not a big fan of remotes but the Echo may be in one room and you can be in another with remote - seems like.a worthwhile 19.99 to me.
st2000
14 Sep 161#204
Sonos have already confirmed their speakers will work with Echo. However this will be done via an update in early 2017 I believe.
deany76 to st2000
14 Sep 161#210
That's great news, exciting times ahead
Cheers
mickclark to st2000
14 Sep 16#211
Any evidence to back that up.
I've looked everywhere and even messaged Sonos a few months back.
(Not doubting you) just would like a read :-)
LiGhTfasT
14 Sep 16#206
I dont use siri or google now and i've never pressed the voice search on my fire tv remote.
I guess this isn't for me.
deany76 to LiGhTfasT
14 Sep 16#212
the more I use Siri the more I like it. very gimmicky when launched now very helpful will try and find a link that helped 'win me over to Siri'
Neither did I but I love my Amazon Tap. If you just have a speaker, how do you get it to play music if you can't speak to it? Answer is you can't so you speak to it. We are tied to typing because that's all we have ever known. Voice Recognition is the future imho.
Hocus
14 Sep 16#207
Ordered and been waiting on this for ages. The cheaper dot needs to be tapped to work from what I've read. But if your a gadget guy this is awsome. Control lights as well as get reminders change your heating and get your shopping list through your voice :smiley: not to mention the play music of your choice. All voice command.
iant67
14 Sep 16#208
Any chance of uploading a pic of your transcript? Just got told the discount wasn't valid for Kindle products, and the Echo is a kindle product.
deany76
14 Sep 16#213
hope it works with Nest?
Not a deal breaker with future SONOS integration- would make life that little bit easier though
"Alexia turn heating on."
Isn't the biggest difference between the Echo and the Dot the fact that the Dot has to be pressed to start listening and the Echo is "always on"?
This also means that Echo is always listening.
/puts the foil hat on/
srw985 to mcdarius
14 Sep 16#225
Nope, the Dot is just like the full Echo and you don't have to press a button. They all have "microphone off" buttons for when you're discussing top secret stuff.
TonyLeMesmer to mcdarius
14 Sep 16#227
No the Dot is always on too, it's the Tap that need pressing.
john2020md to mcdarius
14 Sep 16#246
I was thinking that! I've ordered anyway one but I wonder if its really listening.. :smiley:
mickclark
14 Sep 16#216
Thank you mate.
That's freaking awesome.
tempt
14 Sep 16#218
On a single prime account, you can order one each of black and white versions for £99.99. Ebay, here I come!
westeight
14 Sep 161#219
Will this work if your daughter is also named Alexa?
deany76 to westeight
14 Sep 16#222
LOL
londonstinks
14 Sep 161#220
Definitely don't need one of these but definitely going to order one. Thanks op.
deany76
14 Sep 161#221
thanks so much to youself and st2000
Anyone fortunate enough to enjoy the SONOS experience if they watch the video and are 'on the fence' on pressing the button on an Echo prepare to be invest 99.99 great vid thanks
awesome as mickclark said
pidgeofcdf
14 Sep 16#223
like it but should I really spend £99.99 on it when I've got a Bose soundlink?
don't use Siri on my iPhone so can't see my using this new chick on echo
Sonos compatibility was the first thing I checked and I thought the same!
retrend
14 Sep 16#230
When do amazon pay us to have these and the dash buttons?
gsusx to retrend
14 Sep 16#239
When do tesco pay you for shopping there?
knack
14 Sep 161#231
Thanks for that link. This and Sonos is enough to make it worthwhile for me.
anonimousse
14 Sep 167#233
If you speak like you type then there is nothing to worry about ;--))
painty
14 Sep 161#235
Heat and ordered! Prime music, news, weather and integration with Hive! Oh and let's not forget the food orders!
deany76 to painty
14 Sep 161#237
Dont tell me there is "Just Eat" integration
"Alexia order the same order we had last week from Just Eat last Friday from Dine India - for delivery 7.00pm tonight, but two more pappadoms please this week "?
grtrekkie74656
14 Sep 16#236
exactly, i wouldnt trust Google not to use home to 'spy' on its users. I also dont like google. dont trust them with a barge pole
davidhanson90
14 Sep 161#238
"Alexa how do you spell deal. "
D.E.A.L
"Alexa order my coffee again"
Sure no problem.
"Alexa remind the Mrs I'm out with the boys tonight."
You got it.
"Alexa play my book"
Sold!!!!
For those saying their phone already does this, I suppose the thing to say is that the Echo does it way better!
calvinandhobbes
14 Sep 16#240
someone mentioned logitech harmony before. I have a harmony hub - can I use this with that? If so I'd be able to use this to control virtually everything in my front room. That would swing it for me.
justonemorepie to calvinandhobbes
14 Sep 161#245
yes you can use it with the harmony hub. There is a skill on the way out at the moment. currently I use an app called yonimi to interface between Alexa and the harmony. I say: "Alexa it's movie time" tv and blu ray turn on. correct input is selected in tv..lights dim and ac unit turns on. thats just a start.
roadie
14 Sep 16#241
What is Philips hue as I haven't read much about it? What's so good about it ?
xeroc
14 Sep 16#243
This is clearly a good 'price' - given it is 1/3 off the RRP - however I, like many on here it seems, am not sold on the utility of it as of yet.
It reads like it must have a pretty beefy DSP core. Any source code?
CrazyBob
14 Sep 16#257
I am tempted, but I don't know why
rmg
14 Sep 16#258
Ordered the Echo but having given it some thought I am going to go for the Dot.
Don_Mega
14 Sep 16#260
I have one. It's a bit like Siri at the moment, e.g. asking what the weather will be like or setting an alarm. I haven't set it up for Hue lights or electric blinds or anything like that, yet...
Sound quality, either via Spotify ("Echo, play Led Zeppelin" or "Echo, play 'Say it Ain't so Joe'") or through Tunein Radio is okay, but not great. Ideally, you'd connect it to your hifi, but on the main Echo unit, there's no output. I think the smaller model does have this feature. Incidentally, mine currently only wants to access Radio 5 live via Tunein, not recognising any other station...
Don_Mega
14 Sep 16#261
Would I buy one again? I'm not sure, but as others have said, maybe I need to look into what else it can do...
MBeeching to Don_Mega
14 Sep 161#263
Why not ask it? :stuck_out_tongue:
Eagerbeaver
14 Sep 1613#262
I didn't get this at first but realise it's for people who don't have a wife and are not fussed with having sex. I have a wife so don't need one of these as my wife can do everything Alexa can and gives me sex too. I will let her know about this though to keep her on her toes.
deany76 to Eagerbeaver
14 Sep 162#264
If I had a sense of humour like yours I may find your post funny.
chrisredmayne to Eagerbeaver
14 Sep 16#267
such a show off, you say you have actual sex with an actual real life lady ? well I am impressed !
TechBB to Eagerbeaver
14 Sep 168#271
Who are you kidding?! Either you're lying or you're only recently married because you're the first married man I've ever heard say "my wife" and "gives me sex too" in the same sentence! If you're recently married, I can assure you that come next year, you'll be buying Echo 2.0 and all her kids
deany76 to Eagerbeaver
14 Sep 16#284
And when you are at work I'm sure she is using her version of Alexia, so what comes around, goes around.
deany76
14 Sep 16#265
All the UK based "already have one - for my money they are not worth it" 'reviews' as they will be USA imports maybe hacked but 100% for USA accent so avoid these reviews -"have one of these already" unless they have a condo in USA but even then. UK accent. (as someone has previously and correctly mentioned).
Don_Mega to deany76
14 Sep 161#277
I assure you, my 'American import' unit recognises English accents just fine. The only thinkg that needs 'hacking' is to replace a line in the code to allow addresses outside of USA to be recognised. This enables a "What's the weather going to be like?" question to be answered for your UK address, temperatures in celsius, and a UK time zone recognised for "wake me up at 7am". I think your suspicions about these reviewers are unfounded.
_BANNED
14 Sep 16#266
Nope :disappointed:
bseal1947
14 Sep 16#268
Add this with Apple and ITunes and it would be freezing on this deal. Would cost £300 mind
TechBB
14 Sep 162#269
Have all the people flocking to buy this device thought of privacy implications? If you don't need to press a button to activate it, it's likely perpetually processing every sound in its vicinity in order to be able to decipher when you're talking to it. Even if that's not the case, the things you do intentionally say to it will most assuredly be stored and data mined.
Admittedly, I haven't looked too deeply into how these work but for those of you out there who may be a bit ignorant (I don't mean that in an insulting way) to how their data is used, it would probably be worthwhile to think twice and do your research before jumping on this gadget or any like it, for that matter.
As much as I love gadgets, this is one I don't plan to touch.
mario999 to TechBB
14 Sep 161#280
Amazon can listen all day long to me and the Mrs discussing whether to have spuds or mash for dinner. Don't give a damn.
solid
14 Sep 16#270
"Isn’t it nice to know when you get feature upgrades? Normally you have to subscribe to an email list and then actually read the email that tells you about the new features, or just look them up online when you remember. With the Echo, you can just ask:
Alexa, what new features do you have?
Whenever Amazon adds something new, they program an explanation into Alexa and she’ll give you all the details by just asking that question."
I'm another (insert name here - I'm seeing it as a negative) that went ahead and ordered.
I know it'll never be used, and with it would link with my Google play music..................
janner43
14 Sep 16#275
Scorching hot<3
I can't tell you how quick I jumped on this. Pre-ordered in White & can't wait until 29/9
Thanks OP...
Well I just started shouting Alexa at my bluetooth speaker and nothing happened at all, so I'm not sure you're right.
pedrosoares
14 Sep 16#281
I've had one for a while and I kind of agree with you. As a speaker, not worth £100. I'm hopeful that we the UK launch it will be come more useful.
philnwl
14 Sep 161#282
Ordered then cancelled. Basically a sub par Bluetooth speaker with a less intelligent SiRI built in . Only useful if you have lots of accessories like HIVE , HUE etc otherwise an expensive gadget.
Also apparently in the US the Echo shipped with a remote but here in U.K. You need to order separately for another £20 so not such a great deal in my humble opinion.
The Echo Dot at £50 is a more cost effective solution which you can connect to an existing speaker and provides same functionality but for £50 and can be controlled by voice or the app.
I personally will hang on for the time being...
justonemorepie to philnwl
15 Sep 161#361
The Dot is the better buy. the remote was only a freebie in the state's for the very first users. I had to buy mine like over here.
deany76
14 Sep 16#283
Have you tried all four major networks?
aeykeay
14 Sep 162#285
amazon gathering data for our safe future. feed amazon everything you want and like and on top of that PAY for it. No Thanks !
sm-1991
14 Sep 16#286
Oh wow, a £99.99 speaker that has a microphone on 24/7 connected to AWS? Listening in everything that is said around you, it has multiple sensitive speakers that can hear a pin dropped in a large room.
bennetm3
14 Sep 16#287
Ordered 2 echo's for £99 each and also a dot for £49. I will convert my current US echo over to uk as soon as i get them. They will be linked into my home automation system.
Don_Mega
14 Sep 16#288
Mine is down by the side of the bed. I still have to speak unnaturally loudly - it doesn't work if you mutter or just say something as an aside.
damadgeruk
14 Sep 161#289
My USA Echo understands Scottish with ease also. I'm happy with the upcoming support in the UK though mine is already in frequent use.
Razwaz
14 Sep 16#290
I currently have £20 DAB radio as an alarm/time teller as a temporary measure. I've been wanting a Bluetooth speaker and alarm and this seems like a quality deal. One question - if my WiFi goes down, will the alarm still work?
blackrat62
14 Sep 16#291
Got Sonos so dots ordered - awesome combination. Thanks for posting.
andyk
14 Sep 161#292
I have had an amazon echo in the UK for probably 9 months now which I purchased in the US. It sits in the kitchen and gets used daily for playing music and used often to set a timer. Throw something in the oven and say "Alexa, set timer for 30 mins". Also things like "Alexa, how many milliliters in a cup". I also have quite a few things around the house that the echo integrates with so found it a handy device. The speaker is adequate but not amazing, and would much prefer it to have a speaker output. I have a B&W speaker in the kitchen which sits next to to the echo which I use if I want to play something at a decent quality. I have now ordered an amazon dot and going to replace my echo in the kitchen with the dot, hook it up to my B&W speaker and take the echo upstairs. Thanks for the post!
magrawal
14 Sep 16#293
have you tried to jump first then see that you have jumped from the cliff, but unfortunately you won't be able to ask any questions... after that....
kirky666
14 Sep 16#294
Is it sold out? I keep pressing "Pre-order this item", but I just get a pop-up with some extras (remote and insurance) and when I click continue it just goes back to the original page with nothing added to my basket or orders.
kirky666 to kirky666
14 Sep 161#295
Must have been something to do with chrome - I used Edge and it worked ok
Sharpharp to kirky666
14 Sep 16#296
Try a different browser, flakey in Internet Explorer, works in Firefox :neutral_face:
CaptainSocks
14 Sep 162#297
Google Home looks like it's got this beat from what I've read.
Holding on for that!
Razwaz to CaptainSocks
14 Sep 16#301
Such as?
janner43
14 Sep 16#298
Guess it depends where you have your music etc. We have everything with Amazon - including Audible books
edcor9889
14 Sep 161#299
No,the dot does not have to work along with the Echo.Its a standalone unit in itself,the only difference being a smaller version and it can be hard wired to the speakers.
Dj CUE
14 Sep 16#300
Maybe I am being dumb but surely this is not smart, new technology! Siri has been around for years on a device that is in my pocket all day and I have used it probably a dozen times in the last year. This is similar and but for home use so has a couple of extra features like HIVE, HUE and WEMO. Surely it would be better if it could communicate with more, like fire TV, web calling (Skype), send text messages, take notes during meetings/lectures, etc. Or maybe these will come as updates. Personally I think Amazon need to try harder if they want to hear everything happening in my house!
fishmaster to Dj CUE
15 Sep 16#474
See post #302 where he/she says it works with IFTTT, if that's right then there's a awful lot you can do with it.
It's definitely correct, I'm getting this then :smiley:
1 echo and 2 dots ordered :smiley:. Been waiting for this for a while, and happy that they priced it sensibly at launch. Alexa is a surprisingly open platform and once linked up to ifttt or a similar service you can do an awful lot with it.
Got the main echo for my bedroom (replacing an aging alarm clock really), 1 dot for the Lounge to connect to my a/v amp and 1 more to go in the kitchen connected up to the cone speaker I got from a deal here a few months back. Should be a great combination :smiley:
I am regretting getting a cosy smart thermostat over a nest now but hey it should be trivial to write a suitable plugin to support it once the AVS api comes to the uk later this year so it won't be a problem for long :smiley:. I'm also hoping to find a way to get it linked into my ikettle...they idea of asking alexa to boil the kettle for me is a fun one :smiley:
Edit: and its that open extensible nature that makes this a much better proposition for many techies than Siri. You can't easily expand what Siri can do outside of apples tight control; you can with alexa (and probably with googles version next month).
WillowPAW
14 Sep 161#303
Will not buy, will not buy....... Rats, bought!
Petetobin
14 Sep 161#304
Nope, US version works fine with UK accents.
RUGAAL
14 Sep 16#305
Online review sites say you can only order it via alexa voice purchase or alexa amazon tv ,not sure why tho
knack
14 Sep 16#306
Had the same problem in Safari but Chrome worked for me.
Petetobin
14 Sep 16#307
Yes Tap is battery powered but stupidly needs to be "Tapped" even when plugged into the power. Otherwise the Tap might be the best of the devices due to it's portability.
Petetobin
14 Sep 16#308
I said that.
RUGAAL
14 Sep 161#309
That version is echo tap
justonemorepie
14 Sep 161#311
I'm in the uk with a couple of US Echod
jimbobaggins
14 Sep 16#312
The deal also works if you take the one month trial - even as a previous Prime subscriber. Mine lapsed a few weeks ago and I was waiting to see if they would offer a deal for restarting.
This will do instead!
Eagerbeaver
14 Sep 16#313
Seriously though, I really want to like this but it's not yet at the level that makes it worth dusting.
It's a step in the right direction and cheap enough but it seems to to be to home automation what the Psion Organiser was to PDAs.
kinnth
14 Sep 16#314
Can someone post up a good honest review of it as it seems superfluous
suarez777
14 Sep 16#315
How loud is the speakers compared to other mini speakers like Bose?
thecleaner
14 Sep 161#316
Wonder if the wife will notice when I swap the white BT speaker in the kitchen with an Echo?
Stoneslfc
14 Sep 16#317
Google Home should be released next month. Much more excited for it than the Amazon echo.
FunkyMonkeyDooDa
14 Sep 16#318
So the echo has a hefty pre order discount, but am I right in saying that the dot does not? Already ordered the echo, do you think it would be worth waiting til later for the dot though - thinking possibility of black friday discounts?
arbitrabbit
14 Sep 16#319
Much as I have a strong urge to part with £99.99, I do agree with others that if I look at the capabilities of my Google Now, I think Google Home should be better buy than Echo. However, if you aren't neck deep in Google's ecosystem, this might still be a good buy.
suarez777
14 Sep 16#320
google home is releasing soon and it will be much better
knack to suarez777
14 Sep 16#322
What will make it better?
Petetobin
14 Sep 16#321
You are right, I guess I meant voice will be the interface to the IOT plus the Alexa voice recognition is amazing. I can ask it to play the Mayo and Kermode podcast on Tune In and it gets it right every time.
stockdam
14 Sep 16#324
Maybe think about how much you wlll listen to if your internet is capped and you want to stream over internet at 320 Kbps. Ok you'll need to listen to a lot of music but some people may leave it on all of the time for background music and you may consume a lot in a month.
You can stream via Bluetooth but is the quality as good?
dps5pt
14 Sep 161#325
You used to be able to get the pig ignorant version of this for free with 2 packs of pringles
nascent
14 Sep 16#326
Think that was true for original Dot, but new Dot has no mention of requiring an Echo, also the buying options come with WeMo or Thermostat, n option to buy with Echo.
ukez
14 Sep 164#327
Samsung made a TV that listened in and Microsoft made an XBOX gadget that listened in the world and social media went mad.
Now Amazon (a sales and marketing company) wants you to pay them to stick a box that listens in to your friends and family 24/7 so they can:
1) Answer silly questions that you can already ask on your Windows 10 machines and mobile phones.
2) Give you the freedom to play music without having to search your track (Wooopiee)
3) Use other vocal information collected within your household to present you with more junk they can sell you. :laughing:
bseal1947 to ukez
14 Sep 162#329
I remember the Samsung debate when it would never turn off. How would you know if Amazon are listening in?
More scary. When they get hacked and criminals can listen to when you're away. Unlock your doors remotely. Or worse hear when your kids are at home.
Not for me. I'm out
CouchPotatoe
14 Sep 16#330
I believe that the Echo DSP is only loaded with enough speech recognition capability for the 'wake' word i.e. "Alexa" or "Amazon" or "Echo" and once that is recognised it lights up blue and sends the remaining portion of the request off to Amazon for recognition. If so that does preclude it eavesdropping as such. If you change the wake word it takes a little while to download and reconfigure so that's consistent with this implementation.
bseal1947 to CouchPotatoe
15 Sep 161#333
People hack and eavesdrop baby monitors for Gods sake. You think they wouldn't want to take control of something that is connected your alarm, locks, online accounts.
Oh the lights not on I'm sure the echo isn't listening. It's a setting for an LED. Wouldn't be rocket science to turn it off with the speaker on
ukez
15 Sep 16#331
Not for me either, before you know it they'll be convincing people to put black boxes in their cars next, oh wait.... they already did :laughing:
bseal1947
15 Sep 161#332
But they make you a safer driver.... No?
maxrlingham
15 Sep 163#334
Finally a woman who won't give me the silent treatment!
jrw
15 Sep 162#335
Dam it. I was on the fence with this until I saw the sonos integration coming soon.
Echo, dot and wemo insight ordered.
I hate this website sometimes.
wywywywy
15 Sep 16#336
I can't preorder - I click on the button and nothing happens. Anyone else?
knack to wywywywy
15 Sep 161#337
Does it open the pop up and when you press continue it just goes back to the product page? If so, use a different browser.
Awaken
15 Sep 16#338
I voted hot because I just bought one... I have no idea if I or anyone else will ever get £99.99 value out of it though :smile:
bseal1947 to Awaken
15 Sep 163#339
And people laugh at Apple users
gsusx to Awaken
15 Sep 16#385
I find this strange. It's like saying anyone who buys a bluetooth speaker for 99 quid wouldnt get use out of it ..... if nothing else you have a bluetooth speaker.... where's the issue.....
Conkruky
15 Sep 161#340
Anyone else thinking this would be so much cooler if you could change the name Alexa to Jarvis?
ukez
15 Sep 16#341
Since when, they don't stop you talking on your phone or crashing, they just confirm your travel, location and speed so the insurance companies can use all that (usually against you) when its time to put a claim in :laughing:
Chiptivo
15 Sep 16#342
Ordered, cheers
roadie
15 Sep 16#343
Is this for people who have fun with gadgets or is it for lazy people? Ordered nevertheless. Hehe
5Rivers79
15 Sep 162#344
Would never invest in an eco-system where the company is known for random account suspensions.
ukez to 5Rivers79
15 Sep 16#345
You saw watchdog too.. :smiley:)
me_lee
15 Sep 164#346
Completely pointless device for sheep with poor impulse control who have to have every gadget in their life.
Main difference between the Echo and the Echo Dot are:
The dot has a smaller speaker, has a 3.5mm audio out, and can connect to Bluetooth speakers
This is the new version of the dot which has 4 buttons and can work standalon . The old version couldn't.
tungle106
15 Sep 16#348
bought one
can't wait to talk to my virtual 'friend'
Schwarzenegger
15 Sep 16#349
Gimmick.
mk3
15 Sep 16#350
#1 Best Seller surely that should be #1 Best Pre-order
Awaken
15 Sep 16#351
Ah yes, but apple charge £99 for a Pencil. You think Siri in a can would be less than double this? :smiley:
DennisG
15 Sep 16#352
I'm far from a Luddite, but I know when to take a step back from modern tech and be satisfied with what i have
with social media it was Facebook - pre twitter/instagram/snapchat etc
with this sort of stuff, i'm happy to pull my phone out my pocket and check time/play a track/plan world domination
i am somewhat scared of how out of touch i will be in about 6 months or 9 years
Could I use it to get the music program on my computer to select tracks, CDs etc - Not through its own speaker but my HiFi which I have hooked up to my computer?
justonemorepie to png666
15 Sep 16#362
Echo dots a search on your network for Hue lights find them and you then use vibe to operate either individuals or groups of lights.
justonemorepie to png666
15 Sep 16#363
Echo dots a search on your network for Hue lights find them and you then use vibe to operate either individuals or groups of lights.
YusL
15 Sep 16#355
Just putting it out there. I like many people would've ordered the amazon Echo to then cancel the order and order the Amazon Echo Dot. Personally think this is the best choice. Then buy speakers for £50 or else. Honestly think this is the best way not going to lie.
StillTheFlyest
15 Sep 16#356
So this is how an android user feels when an apple deal goes hot.
I just don't understand why a Bluetooth speaker with an assistant at this price is a good deal with this much heat that's always nosy and eavesdropping.
But enjoy! Not voting cold.
Solly92
15 Sep 16#358
No it doesn't. It could stream audio 24/7 to amazon (or anyone else for that matter) and if you don't have a way of monitoring traffic on your network you would have no idea.
max84
15 Sep 16#359
nice spy box :smirk:
justonemorepie
15 Sep 16#360
ditto. my local searches work as well using Yelp.
justonemorepie
15 Sep 16#364
All three existing Echo models have always been freestanding.
deany76
15 Sep 16#365
SONOS owners question please - I have 4 zones and don't need any more speakers.
With this in mind am I best cancelling the £99.99 Echo preorder and waiting till October for the 2nd gen Dot? and save £50.00
I'm in no rush as the SONOS functionality wont be till next year.
Is the "Dot" basically an Echo sans speaker?
Thanks in advance
ps
I could maybe put the £50 saved towards another hub in another room (assuming I like the concept) and cancel the £19.99 remote as I'm not a fan of remotes. So 2nd Dot would be approx £30.00
dunwich
15 Sep 16#366
Ordered Echo and Dot.
deany76 to dunwich
15 Sep 161#367
Is the "Dot" essentially an "Echo" without the speaker?
What is the difference in the two products?
thanks
deany76
15 Sep 16#369
So you can change Hey Alexia to Hey X
X being anyword?
TheMexicaliKid
15 Sep 161#370
Yep, from amazon: Your Echo device is set to respond to the wake word "Alexa" by default, but you can use the Alexa app to change the wake word at any time
Can't decide between Echo and Dot...poor reviews for speaker on Echo and can't connect to my existing speakers when listening to music... but for Dot would need to keep it connected to speakers, so less practical...hmmm
jrw to TheMexicaliKid
15 Sep 161#375
You don't, it has an inbuilt speaker still, just a small one.
I have a 5 zone sonos. I'm getting an echo for my study and a dot to place in living room to give commands to for the sonos and the wemo I want to try.
fatreg
15 Sep 16#373
No, Alexa, Echo or some other name I forgot. but a choice of 3 only, not free reign.
jazlabs
15 Sep 161#374
The Dot will provide all the same voice control functionality, so effectively yes. The Dot does also have a speaker, so can reply to commands where appropriate, I'd imagine the speaker is not up to much though. The Dot also has a 3.5mm output, so attached to decent speakers will provide all the same capabilities as the Echo.
Basically, the extra £50 is for the 'upgraded' built-in speaker, everything else is comparable.
jrw
15 Sep 161#376
Get the dot. Has a little inbuilt speaker anyway.
None come with a remote.
As above I'm getting an echo for my study purely to try it. The dot will be for living room to control sonos and wemo depending how that performs.
michaeljb
15 Sep 16#377
the voyeur in me likes the fact she's listening for those 5 minutes I get every other Thursday night on even numbered months. kinky :stuck_out_tongue:
turbo_c
15 Sep 16#378
don't like the idea that its always listening to everything.
deany76 to turbo_c
15 Sep 161#380
I'm 100% certain that it doesn't listen to everything it "wakes up" on command. Like Siri - this has been discussed with Hey Siri a fair bit and its agreed apple are NOT listening in with Hey Siri enabled I believe tests have been done to prove this.
edit
Echo and Dot stream a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.
Cheers
deany76 to turbo_c
15 Sep 16#395
Good article.
Also addresses your valid privacy query.
"The speakers are deliberately designed not to send data back to Amazon's servers unless there has been a wake command or button press."
cheers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37351342
You can get BBC , Sky news, National rail info etc
These skills are being added regularly. They have developed more skills in US which come to us on the UK
Just found out there is dedicated support line for echo and dot to assist in queries around home automation.
This is a product this is being continually developed so Google and Apple will be playing catch up
Not just a dumb blue tooth speaker !
knack
15 Sep 161#383
Do you have a play 5 or connect in the room you will use the Echo in?
deany76
15 Sep 16#384
Yep, if you are unsure whether to go the Echo or the Dot route ask yourself "have I enough speakers already"
SONOS owners who don't need another speaker in a room would appear to be better off with a "Dot".
gsusx
15 Sep 161#386
Yeah i kinda agree, the google home platform is locked down with no access to 3rd party apps unlike alexa.... it's gonna be a pretty walled garden for a while... i'm very much intergrated into googles eco system but for me the big seller with the alexa is tune in, sonos and national rail apps.
deany76
15 Sep 161#387
Hi
My SONOS system:
• 2 x Play 5 1st gen - dining room
• 1 x Play 3 - kitchen
• 1 x Connect amp + Wharfedale diamond 10 - living room
• 1 x Connect amp + Wharfedale diamond 10 - main bedroom
I was going to put the echo in the living room but then thought, hold on I don't need the speaker as I've got SONOS!
Have cancelled the Echo and remote preorder and ordered a Dot (didn't realise it has a small built in speaker for "talk back") for the living room.
With money saved may get 2nd dot for dining room next year when SONOS integration occurs.
Cheers
ps
My SONOS zones were added over a number of years starting six years ago. Plus I haven't watched TV in 7 years so I guess music is my passion.
solid
15 Sep 16#388
I've been thinking about which one of these to get and I'm coming to the conclusion that the Echo offers more (than just a BT speaker) for the extra money.
The Dot is cheaper, but you have to consider the additional speakers, and the extra complication of cabling it all up.
I guess it all depends on the location. If this is to be used in the kitchen, the Echo makes sense. If you want this functionality in the living room, where you may already have something already, the Dot makes more sense.
I don't think it's just all about the base cost..
deany76 to solid
15 Sep 16#390
I can see a lot of Dot owners investing gradually in SONOS zones, really depends on your sound system at present.
ps
The Play 1s are awesome
I really hope I like the "Dot"
I must say though Alphabets Nest and Nest Protect are excellent and their outside Nest Cam just launched in the last few days and out of stock in the US launching in the UK in a few months looks really good (no subscription needed).
yeah second that play 1's are probably one of the best things ive bought in the last ten years
cajogos
15 Sep 163#393
ordered! not because I really need one now but had to considering it's a 1/3 off :wink: I would have eventually regretted it
Zatos
15 Sep 16#394
Another way for higher ups to listen in on you.
foxyuk
15 Sep 161#396
Ordered on impulse. Got 30 days to return so no brainier
Crossy to foxyuk
15 Sep 16#401
30 day unused return not used.
captainbeaky
15 Sep 16#397
Good little article. The last few paragraphs are a bit worrying.
foes4you
15 Sep 16#398
will be on ebay for a tenner next week
solid to foes4you
15 Sep 16#433
I'm waiting for Amazon Warehouse.
Loads of you who have bought it will be returning it, so I will pick up one of those :man:
Pinksparkles1973
15 Sep 16#400
Your poor missus! :wink::smile:
toonarama
15 Sep 161#402
Would this be able to connect to the Music folder of my NAS and play songs that I tell it to play or can it only play songs on Prime Music, Spotify, Tune In, etc.
abaxas
15 Sep 16#403
Does my bum look big in this....
Yes.
NitrousUK
15 Sep 16#404
Yeah, but I read the only other options are "Echo" and "Amazon"
mmuk99
15 Sep 16#405
Looks awesome - might get one!
bally12345
15 Sep 16#406
Didn't bother reading all the comments but I'm planning to use this with Philips Hue, hopefully some Fire TV integration and check out the possibilities with IFTTT and nest products. Already a long time prime member I'm sure it will be great addition especially if it makes ordering my regular Amazon Pantry quicker and easier even better.
qwertychris
15 Sep 16#407
Was considering a WiFi speaker for the kitchen, so gone for this instead to give it a try. At £50 off, should be able to get my money back if it turns out to be useless.
Jaspabt1
15 Sep 162#408
I've ordered the Dot. The Alexa part is what you're investing in here as that is future proof. The speaker on the echo doesn't seem to get great reviews and is one of the components I imagine will be upgraded more regularly. The fact I can hook the Dot in to any of my home speakers sold it for me, as it doesn't seem the echo can. I don't know why, but I think the Dot will only go up in price or stay flat. Also the Dot is only being delivered on 20th October, so hopefully after the google home announcement. I can cancel then if google home is awesome.
Wonder if automatically relays all your family and house conversations to the authorities and other agencies hired for surveillance?
toonarama to whizzkid11
15 Sep 161#413
Only if you are talking to Alexa and saying something of interest. Should be safe.
poison3k to whizzkid11
15 Sep 163#414
If it does then I feel sorry for the poor person who has to listen to our conversations about Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam all day.
deany76 to whizzkid11
15 Sep 162#418
Yes my surveillance agent would end up in a mental hospital with some of our family discussions! or die of boredom one or the other!.
cosuk625
15 Sep 161#412
Resistance was frutile :confused:
Did I need it ? Not really
Did I want it ? Oh yes
I can see potential with this device for doing lots of things (well that's my excuse) :stuck_out_tongue:
Pinksparkles1973
15 Sep 163#415
So say you have this in your living room, maybe a couple called Alex & Alexa have one, get a bit frisky and start talking dirty to each other or gettin jiggy shouting in the moment random naughty stuff.... does this amazon bird join in and it turns into some kinky threesome??!! :confused: :smile:
mergleb
15 Sep 16#416
Is it stereo?
toonarama
15 Sep 161#417
...and that's why it's called the Echo...
cicobuff
15 Sep 161#419
Not interested in a personal assistant until Alexa looks like this...
cosuk625 to cicobuff
15 Sep 162#457
Also you will need the "Special Code" :smile:
deany76
15 Sep 16#420
I would love to see the reaction from the Americans from posts on this deal about their Echo. :confused:
remainz
15 Sep 16#421
"360º omni-directional audio" = mono
ozzmosiz
15 Sep 16#422
What can this do that your Phone "Ok google" can't ?
I'll let you in to a little secret. The Sonos Play:1 actually has a microphone within it, as does the new Play:5.
In terms of the Echo, I really am on the fence with it, though only the dot is of interest.
My home is fitted with Hive and has 4 Zones of Sonos, an Arlo CCTV setup and some smart lighting, but even with that, I still find it hard to justify - most of the things I can achieve with IFTTT recipes, but also with a smartphone you just have so much more control and a much greater amount of information available.
The only feature I really liked was the story book reading for my daughters room, her being able to control that with her voice would be kind of neat, but Alexa is then replacing a role that's more about me spending time in the last light reading her and comforting her... a weird notion.
Chips4Tea
15 Sep 16#425
a couple of quick questions if anyone can help:-
1) Does this incorporate iplayer radio, if i want any DAB stations?
2) Do you need Spotify Premium or will the free version do?
Thanks
deany76 to Chips4Tea
15 Sep 16#431
Hi
1) Yes Tune In Radio (2nd row 2nd icon) not sure about BBC iPlayer
2) see post #434
ihotuk to Chips4Tea
15 Sep 16#432
you definitely need spotify premium, not sure about DAB stations, but It will play uk radio stations via tune in app or from web streams.
nascent
15 Sep 161#426
Well, if this couple has a fetish for talking dirty about ordering food, then you're amazon fresh bill is going to end up being quite high.
The_Hoff
15 Sep 162#427
Or, move 5ft in either direction and achieve the same thing.
Hibbers1
15 Sep 16#428
Rude word - ordered it no idea why? - Especially have just read Lee Childs 'Make Me' all about a nutter who hacks people by way of their own 'smart' technology in their appliances with some nasty results. Big Brother is here to stay though so what the hell..................!
reddychvb
15 Sep 16#429
Shame, there is no student discount...:neutral_face:
Cezza
15 Sep 16#430
Soooo don't need another gadget.........ordered :smile:
stedav25
15 Sep 16#434
I personally wouldn't trust any of these so called "smart" devices. Where has privacy gone. I reckon people will be able listen in anytime, maybe even spy if hidden cameras. Won't be long before the machines become aware like terminator! They will know everything!
king132 to stedav25
15 Sep 1610#439
Scotland Yard, MI5 and the FBI also regularly monitor all messages on these HUKD forums.
They are particularly interested in the people who have privacy concerns as they are usually the same people with things to hide.
Quick close your HUKD account and go hide under the staircase...
gsusx to stedav25
15 Sep 16#467
Privacy hasn't gone anywhere. But if you want to have any chance of these items working as expected they need to learn about you to tailor the best service for you. Why is everyone so paranoid nowadays that everyone is out to get them. If i have a conversation with my other half about lawn mowers and this hears it and decides to send me a mail with some of the lawn mowers they have for sale what do I care.
topsup
15 Sep 16#435
I saw this post then saw it being used in the latest episode of Mr. Robot. Crazy!
stedav25
15 Sep 16#436
Madness, not watched any of them yet, good?
topsup to stedav25
15 Sep 16#438
I personally think it's one of the best shows on at the moment. Definitely worth a try, especially if you have Amazon Prime. Reminds me a lot of Fight Club but with hackers.
reddychvb
15 Sep 16#437
Can it change the Sky or Virgin Media TV channels...:stuck_out_tongue:?
labbey
15 Sep 162#440
Hi Echo - how much can I sell you for on Ebay?
pjazzy
15 Sep 16#441
Not sure if its been mentioned. You cannot connect your phone to this to allow handsfree calling. They do offer a limited function if you use some third party service but its not native to the speaker. Its a shame as I needed this function primarily.
deany76 to pjazzy
15 Sep 16#452
Skype or similar audio only hopefully one day.
bigbak
15 Sep 161#442
It'll probably be £120 then as the normal price is £150.
I ordered it and cancelled it. I don't use my phone for all this automation so can't seen me using this.
jamesmoorers
15 Sep 162#443
Do I need it? No
Do I want it? I guess
Did I order it? Absolutely
If Amazon want to listen to me watch TV and all the other mundane stuff I get up to then they can be my guest.
topsup
15 Sep 16#444
I know they showed it prior but it's also in the latest episode (pyth0n-pt1). While it's with the theme, I don't know if it would go down with Amazon very well :smile:
Petetobin
15 Sep 16#445
If have kids called Amazon, Echo and Alexa then you have bigger problems than worrying about waking your speaker up by accident! I bet you can hack it as well.
Opening post
*** What is Amazon Echo? ***
The Amazon Echo is a voice-controlled smart speaker, which incorporates Alexa – Amazon’s AI (similar to Google Now on Android or Siri on iOS). As you can see from the design of the speakers, they provide 360º omni-directional audio.It incorporates far-field voice recognition so that it can hear you from across the room.
Alexa can be used to answer questions on news, weather, traffic etc. The speaker can be used to play music from Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn and others.
The Echo can also be used to control your smarthome, including lights, switches, and thermostats compatible with WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest, and ecobee smart home devices
*** Terms and conditions ***
- New and existing Amazon Prime members who pre-order Amazon Echo (“Promoted Product”) on http://www.amazon.co.uk during the validity of the offer will be eligible for a £50 discount on the full price (£149.99) of the Promoted Product (the “Offer”).
- The Offer is valid until 16 September 2016 at 5:00 p.m. or while supplies last, whichever is earlier.
For everyone asking what the differences between the two are, please see following link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202009700
- jaypee24
Skills Guide:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=br_imp?_encoding=UTF8&node=11242734031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-sidekick-2&pf_rd_r=6N611B1F6XAM4AGYXQDY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=a62a0411-de5b-43d3-9eb7-021895d03b5c&pf_rd_i=desktop
Kind of like apps for the Alexa, few examples of what can be activated.
- jaypee24
Top comments
"Absolutely!"
*Ordered*
All comments (988)
Do I need it? No. Do I want an expensive plastic gadget I can use to control my hue lights? Of course!!
"Absolutely!"
*Ordered*
no no no no no!!! unless this has a great speaker rivalling the other 100 pounds wireless speakers then this is just a joke that will get boring very quickly
Though My 4 Year old will have complete control and I won't be able to hide the remote.
*Why* would I want one. Cant understand this at all. Do people really want every device in their house to talk to them?
Also found there will be a cheaper version (£49.99) out soon (20th October) called Echo Dot:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DFKBG5Y/
Along with some discount codes:
Buy 5 get 1 Free > Code: DOT6PACK
By 10 get 2 free > Code: DOT12PACK
Enter codes at checkout.
Will get one of these and probably a couple of dots to go with the hue and wireless sockets.
For anybody that isn't aware it's kind of an alernative, more natural way of communicating with Siri.
Simple questions/commands like:
"alexa, what's the weather like today"
"alexa, play the stone roses"
"alexa, play my top hits playlist"
as well as more useful commands
"alexa, decrease the temperature by 2 deg" (nest, etc)
"alexa, turn lights off" (hue)
etc
When I was young it was "hey, can you turn it over to channel 3" - which migrated to "hey, can you grab me the remote" ...
With this there is pretty much no value in children. Unless you still have issues with your chimney that is.
Combine with ifttt and it's pretty powerful.
Great way to wake up in the morning :smiley:
Only a week after the amazon echo would arrive though I’m guessing that’s no coincidence amazon decided to release it ahead of the announcement. Hmmm decisions decisions…
in the worst case, it's just an adequate BT speaker which happens to answer some very basic questions (weather, news headline, etc) ..
One does wonder if these will go down on Black Friday.
Unless you order one black and one white - two for £200. Sold!
Surely For 50 quid you can get a nice set of speakers to go with the small one?
" switch the Mrs off " :smile:
Ignore that.
One review said you did, but I just saw another which says you don't
All my music is on Google Play Music.
If it can access that I'm interested.
It's interesting what you say though?, lol. :-)
To be fair, it's a nice novelty item, but I have no interest in it. Fairly affordable price, though, so heat added.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Hz9qjTDfw
Pretty much forces you to use Amazon Music.
Only 250 songs uploaded for free. After that you need Prime membership.
Yeah.
F that.
Think I'll stick with my free 20GB on Google Play Music thanks.
Of course you can connect to your phone via bluetooth and listen to Google Music, Apple Music or any other service too. But that's not quite the point.
iPlayer radio would be a nice one for them to add.
The Dot isn't available until October 20th.
I'm more inclined by the dot Tbh so if the dot gets a reduction I'll probably sell the big one on or return it.
The kids love it as there are some good interactive games for it like spelling and what not. The mic is very sensitive and I don't need to shout or raise my voice for it to work. It really is cool.
Can't wait for the UK version to come out so I can use the UK app on it.
http://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/8/30/12709452/sonos-amazon-alexa-announced
So you can control your Sonos speakers directly from Alexa once the update hits, no need to buy the full fat version with a potentially less potent speaker than your existing Sonos speaker (s) but control your music via speech on Alexa instead :smiley:
http://www.howtogeek.com/249342/how-to-change-the-amazon-echos-wake-word/
EDIT: Maybe not - according to media sites who already have it.
Alexa: "Me"
I really don't what anything in my house connecting everything heard to the internet.
... So it tells you the weather, well I'll be dammed. It plays some music via voice control.... Stop the press!
It turns on lights... Shut the front door!
But don't worry. I'm sure Apple will have a version along in 6 months time claiming they invented the idea.
'Hal, skype Pizza Hut.'
'I don't think you really want to do that, Dave.'
'And what is that?'
'The toaster and I have been talking and we've both noticed some extra poundage in your midsection.'
'There's going to be some poundage in your power socket in a minute.'
'I understand completely, Dave.'
'Oh, and my name is Amelia.'
'Sorry Amy.'
'I SAID AMELIA!'
Sonos are adding support for Echo soon and I have a hue bulb in my room so this will be awesome to control it. Having to get my phone, unlock, Sonos app, search for song and then play is a pain. Just being able to use voice control is super useful as long as this works well when music playing.
However £50 is a little expensive when they just reduced the price to $50 in the US, we are starting to see some items priced at the same pound value as the dollar value, not good!
Sonos are adding support for Echo soon and I have a hue bulb in my room so this will be awesome to control it. Having to get my phone, unlock, Sonos app, search for song and then play is a pain. Just being able to use voice control is super useful as long as this works well when music playing.
However £50 is a little expensive when they just reduced the price to $50 in the US, we are starting to see some items priced at the same pound value as the dollar value, not good!
Once this goes live on 28th Sept, you will need to de-register you Echo and the re-register for it to connect to the UK version/cloud.
Happy days!
I've played with one of these and it quickly becomes a gimmick. Siri and Google Now is far more capable/intelligent.
I've had an Echo and a Dot for some time and they are really fun gadgets - everyone in the family likes them and I have just got a couple more. Using Spotify and I also have them controlling my lighting and heating and even telling me who's calling on my telephone line (but this needs extra bits to accomplish). One of my favourite purchases.
can you sell @roadie and myself on this "Hue" it gets mentioned a lot whats the big deal about it - I don't get it?
Apparently I'm better with LED bulbs in the kitchen (all 4 blown). not sure if its that relevant but have wi-fi.
thanks
I know the recordings are harmless In principle but it's still a lil bit closer to big brother than I'd frankly like
Interesting technology but I can't see how it would be more than a gimmick for me personally and I'm fairly certain I wouldn't use it after the first week, if that.
Alexa bring me the rubber gloves
Alexa?
Alexa?
WTF?
Alexa send yourself back to Amazon
Thanks
I buy mostly from Amazon due to Prime and 4 recommendations still on my account
massive SONOS fan
I'm in
No Quibble return - ordering
Thanks OP
PS
As had £40 credit got remote and WiFi plug - "Alexia turn light on in dining room" etc while in another room the later is discounted to.
Not a big fan of remotes but the Echo may be in one room and you can be in another with remote - seems like.a worthwhile 19.99 to me.
Cheers
I've looked everywhere and even messaged Sonos a few months back.
(Not doubting you) just would like a read :-)
I guess this isn't for me.
This may help with Siri
Cheers
http://www.howtogeek.com/229308/26-actually-useful-things-you-can-do-with-siri/
Deany
Not a deal breaker with future SONOS integration- would make life that little bit easier though
"Alexia turn heating on."
https://nest.com/support/article/Learn-how-to-control-your-Nest-Thermostat-with-Amazon-Alexa-on-Echo-and-Fire-TV
and now to listen to the new Beatles album FREE on Google Play Music via SONOS
hey life isn't too bad after all!
This also means that Echo is always listening.
/puts the foil hat on/
That's freaking awesome.
Anyone fortunate enough to enjoy the SONOS experience if they watch the video and are 'on the fence' on pressing the button on an Echo prepare to be invest 99.99 great vid thanks
awesome as mickclark said
don't use Siri on my iPhone so can't see my using this new chick on echo
Can promise but may help for Siri to move you towards Echo
http://www.howtogeek.com/229308/26-actually-useful-things-you-can-do-with-siri/
Cheers
"Alexia order the same order we had last week from Just Eat last Friday from Dine India - for delivery 7.00pm tonight, but two more pappadoms please this week "?
D.E.A.L
"Alexa order my coffee again"
Sure no problem.
"Alexa remind the Mrs I'm out with the boys tonight."
You got it.
"Alexa play my book"
Sold!!!!
For those saying their phone already does this, I suppose the thing to say is that the Echo does it way better!
interestingly MORE expensive in USA than OP's deal - even allowing from amazon.co.uk "early uk (dont forget well tested product) adopters - cracking price as confirmed by link below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00X4WHP5E/ref=cm_cr_othr_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KpLHdAURGo
Sound quality, either via Spotify ("Echo, play Led Zeppelin" or "Echo, play 'Say it Ain't so Joe'") or through Tunein Radio is okay, but not great. Ideally, you'd connect it to your hifi, but on the main Echo unit, there's no output. I think the smaller model does have this feature. Incidentally, mine currently only wants to access Radio 5 live via Tunein, not recognising any other station...
Admittedly, I haven't looked too deeply into how these work but for those of you out there who may be a bit ignorant (I don't mean that in an insulting way) to how their data is used, it would probably be worthwhile to think twice and do your research before jumping on this gadget or any like it, for that matter.
As much as I love gadgets, this is one I don't plan to touch.
Alexa, what new features do you have?
Whenever Amazon adds something new, they program an explanation into Alexa and she’ll give you all the details by just asking that question."
http://lifehacker.com/the-seven-best-things-you-can-do-with-an-amazon-echo-1766989219
I know it'll never be used, and with it would link with my Google play music..................
I can't tell you how quick I jumped on this. Pre-ordered in White & can't wait until 29/9
Thanks OP...
Also apparently in the US the Echo shipped with a remote but here in U.K. You need to order separately for another £20 so not such a great deal in my humble opinion.
The Echo Dot at £50 is a more cost effective solution which you can connect to an existing speaker and provides same functionality but for £50 and can be controlled by voice or the app.
I personally will hang on for the time being...
Holding on for that!
It's definitely correct, I'm getting this then :smiley:
https://ifttt.com/amazon_alexa
Got the main echo for my bedroom (replacing an aging alarm clock really), 1 dot for the Lounge to connect to my a/v amp and 1 more to go in the kitchen connected up to the cone speaker I got from a deal here a few months back. Should be a great combination :smiley:
I am regretting getting a cosy smart thermostat over a nest now but hey it should be trivial to write a suitable plugin to support it once the AVS api comes to the uk later this year so it won't be a problem for long :smiley:. I'm also hoping to find a way to get it linked into my ikettle...they idea of asking alexa to boil the kettle for me is a fun one :smiley:
Edit: and its that open extensible nature that makes this a much better proposition for many techies than Siri. You can't easily expand what Siri can do outside of apples tight control; you can with alexa (and probably with googles version next month).
This will do instead!
It's a step in the right direction and cheap enough but it seems to to be to home automation what the Psion Organiser was to PDAs.
You can stream via Bluetooth but is the quality as good?
Now Amazon (a sales and marketing company) wants you to pay them to stick a box that listens in to your friends and family 24/7 so they can:
1) Answer silly questions that you can already ask on your Windows 10 machines and mobile phones.
2) Give you the freedom to play music without having to search your track (Wooopiee)
3) Use other vocal information collected within your household to present you with more junk they can sell you. :laughing:
More scary. When they get hacked and criminals can listen to when you're away. Unlock your doors remotely. Or worse hear when your kids are at home.
Not for me. I'm out
Oh the lights not on I'm sure the echo isn't listening. It's a setting for an LED. Wouldn't be rocket science to turn it off with the speaker on
Echo, dot and wemo insight ordered.
I hate this website sometimes.
Bought and heated :neutral_face:.
Main difference between the Echo and the Echo Dot are:
The dot has a smaller speaker, has a 3.5mm audio out, and can connect to Bluetooth speakers
This is the new version of the dot which has 4 buttons and can work standalon . The old version couldn't.
can't wait to talk to my virtual 'friend'
with social media it was Facebook - pre twitter/instagram/snapchat etc
with this sort of stuff, i'm happy to pull my phone out my pocket and check time/play a track/plan world domination
i am somewhat scared of how out of touch i will be in about 6 months or 9 years
Could I use it to get the music program on my computer to select tracks, CDs etc - Not through its own speaker but my HiFi which I have hooked up to my computer?
I just don't understand why a Bluetooth speaker with an assistant at this price is a good deal with this much heat that's always nosy and eavesdropping.
But enjoy! Not voting cold.
With this in mind am I best cancelling the £99.99 Echo preorder and waiting till October for the 2nd gen Dot? and save £50.00
I'm in no rush as the SONOS functionality wont be till next year.
Is the "Dot" basically an Echo sans speaker?
Thanks in advance
ps
I could maybe put the £50 saved towards another hub in another room (assuming I like the concept) and cancel the £19.99 remote as I'm not a fan of remotes. So 2nd Dot would be approx £30.00
What is the difference in the two products?
thanks
X being anyword?
Anyone who wants to know the difference between the Echo and the Dot this may help esp. SONOS owners who don't need speakers.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202009700
I've got one of these for the bathroom I snagged on a special Black Friday for £16.00
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/css/summary/edit.html/ref=dp_iou_view_this_order?ie=UTF8&orderID=204-4674135-5949141
looks like "Dot" needs something like this until maybe SONOS when integrated will connect to Dot
I have a 5 zone sonos. I'm getting an echo for my study and a dot to place in living room to give commands to for the sonos and the wemo I want to try.
Basically, the extra £50 is for the 'upgraded' built-in speaker, everything else is comparable.
None come with a remote.
As above I'm getting an echo for my study purely to try it. The dot will be for living room to control sonos and wemo depending how that performs.
edit
Echo and Dot stream a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.
Cheers
Also addresses your valid privacy query.
"The speakers are deliberately designed not to send data back to Amazon's servers unless there has been a wake command or button press."
cheers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37351342
Cheers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVYcOi8R8dg
So Alexa, Echo, Amazon
I will probably go for Amazon as I'm pre-orderering the Dot now.....and Alexia sounds like my Dyslexia!
Cheers
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/r.html?C=OG4RRSMVKVAC&K=A1OJEE6HZMIORD&R=3MC5NBU33ONGZ&T=C&U=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fb%3Fnode%3D11242734031%26ref_%3Dpe_572741_40935641&A=EPW9CL6OQKSLUBYG4F8WMYAXTFGA&H=ASXALMOSAIM5RPIAZUUQPNEUQXYA&ref_=pe_572741_40935641
You can get BBC , Sky news, National rail info etc
These skills are being added regularly. They have developed more skills in US which come to us on the UK
Just found out there is dedicated support line for echo and dot to assist in queries around home automation.
This is a product this is being continually developed so Google and Apple will be playing catch up
Not just a dumb blue tooth speaker !
SONOS owners who don't need another speaker in a room would appear to be better off with a "Dot".
My SONOS system:
• 2 x Play 5 1st gen - dining room
• 1 x Play 3 - kitchen
• 1 x Connect amp + Wharfedale diamond 10 - living room
• 1 x Connect amp + Wharfedale diamond 10 - main bedroom
I was going to put the echo in the living room but then thought, hold on I don't need the speaker as I've got SONOS!
Have cancelled the Echo and remote preorder and ordered a Dot (didn't realise it has a small built in speaker for "talk back") for the living room.
With money saved may get 2nd dot for dining room next year when SONOS integration occurs.
Cheers
ps
My SONOS zones were added over a number of years starting six years ago. Plus I haven't watched TV in 7 years so I guess music is my passion.
The Dot is cheaper, but you have to consider the additional speakers, and the extra complication of cabling it all up.
I guess it all depends on the location. If this is to be used in the kitchen, the Echo makes sense. If you want this functionality in the living room, where you may already have something already, the Dot makes more sense.
I don't think it's just all about the base cost..
ps
The Play 1s are awesome
I must say though Alphabets Nest and Nest Protect are excellent and their outside Nest Cam just launched in the last few days and out of stock in the US launching in the UK in a few months looks really good (no subscription needed).
Loads of you who have bought it will be returning it, so I will pick up one of those :man:
Yes.
I think if GCHQ or the FBI really want to hack an Echo and Dot they will just like the plug and play indoor camaras http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/the-fbi-can-neither-confirm-nor-deny-wiretapping-your-a-1776092971
But there are benefits on the medical question that the americans seem to be using Echo and Dot for-
search for medical on amazon.com echo page:
History questions can be deleted from amazon server-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230
point "4"
Did I need it ? Not really
Did I want it ? Oh yes
I can see potential with this device for doing lots of things (well that's my excuse) :stuck_out_tongue:
:smile:
:confused:
cheers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37356534 1st video
http://bgr.com/2016/05/25/amazon-echo-vs-siri-voice-recognition/
plus you can control ones of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009SA9Z6S/ref=ya_st_dp_summary
Nest thermostat
Hue
and many other home automation products.
New functions are being added all the time ie control SONOS in 2017
In terms of the Echo, I really am on the fence with it, though only the dot is of interest.
My home is fitted with Hive and has 4 Zones of Sonos, an Arlo CCTV setup and some smart lighting, but even with that, I still find it hard to justify - most of the things I can achieve with IFTTT recipes, but also with a smartphone you just have so much more control and a much greater amount of information available.
The only feature I really liked was the story book reading for my daughters room, her being able to control that with her voice would be kind of neat, but Alexa is then replacing a role that's more about me spending time in the last light reading her and comforting her... a weird notion.
1) Does this incorporate iplayer radio, if i want any DAB stations?
2) Do you need Spotify Premium or will the free version do?
Thanks
1) Yes Tune In Radio (2nd row 2nd icon) not sure about BBC iPlayer
2) see post #434
Or, move 5ft in either direction and achieve the same thing.
They are particularly interested in the people who have privacy concerns as they are usually the same people with things to hide.
Quick close your HUKD account and go hide under the staircase...
I ordered it and cancelled it. I don't use my phone for all this automation so can't seen me using this.
Do I want it? I guess
Did I order it? Absolutely
If Amazon want to listen to me watch TV and all the other mundane stuff I get up to then they can be my guest.