Amazon Echo Smart Speaker with Voice Recognition & Control, Black
Top comments
czrsiNk
24 Nov 168#45
They did for 48 hours or so in September (or October) when they first launched it in the UK. You could get the Echo for £99 if you were a Prime subscriber IIRC for that limited time period only.
Biggunspaul
24 Nov 166#21
Is it just me or is there an echo in here
BurnToasT333
24 Nov 165#19
What are you on about. It works just fine especially with Spotify, TuneIn, etc.
You say you never even opened it how can you say it doesn't do things then try compare it to an item not even available on the UK market.
adriandocherty
24 Nov 164#47
Erm, they did though. Really. We all saw it.
All comments (113)
sme24185
24 Nov 16#1
Very good i paid 45 last week from argos cause i had 5 quid voucher nice xmas present.
Im told you can save upto 250 songs on this by cloud is this what the advert is when they say alexa play ---- playlist or is this amazon? As ill like to use this with out paying for this and that if poss? Thanks
EXZAMS
24 Nov 16#2
you can upload 250 songs for free to amazon cloud to play back on echo
sme24185 to EXZAMS
24 Nov 16#4
How do you do this?
Zarjaz2000
24 Nov 161#3
You get access to 2 million songs if you subscribe to Prime. Or 40 million, if you pay £3.99 per month via your Echo....plus free access to Tunein, RadioPlayer, etc.
scott_w_1981
24 Nov 16#5
Hoping 200 on amazon for black fri
EXZAMS
24 Nov 161#6
download Amazon Music from amazon to pc
ant3000
24 Nov 16#7
So John Lewis have played their hand I wonder if Amazon will go any better?
ghostm4n to ant3000
24 Nov 16#33
Given that both Argos and John Lewis have the same price for Echo and Dot, I'm guessing they just both know already what Amazon will be discounting to, which will be the exact same prices I'm guessing
Had one and sold it without opening it at a slight profit last week. By all accounts the functionality is poor compared to the Google equivalent (not out in UK yet but should be next year). I just didn't see the point of it in the end, especially if it can't do the things you want due to the limitations of Amazon's OS.
For example - you couldn't ask it to play Spotify or Deezer stuff - there's no 'app' for the Dot.
ec9wrr to czrsiNk
24 Nov 163#13
Did you try "Alexa, play spotify"?
Works fine. Have to be a premium Spotify member. Can also play artist, album, song, playlist etc etc.
ebury to czrsiNk
24 Nov 16#14
Plays Spotify fine.....
ndk82 to czrsiNk
24 Nov 16#17
the dot does play from spotify if you have a premium spotify account
mattwolves
24 Nov 163#15
Spotify works perfectly with it. looking forward to the upcoming sonos connectivity too
czrsiNk
24 Nov 161#16
Hmm, I was told differently. Still, having watched a couple of videos of the two devices side-by-side, the Dot struggled with some of the commands. Ultimately I thought I was just another gadget I didn't need. I'll wait now and read some more reviews. Thanks for the heads up on Spotify...anyone if Deezer worked?
BurnToasT333
24 Nov 165#19
What are you on about. It works just fine especially with Spotify, TuneIn, etc.
You say you never even opened it how can you say it doesn't do things then try compare it to an item not even available on the UK market.
Can you pair an Echo Dot to a Philips soundbar using Bluetooth?
EXZAMS to Azzin
24 Nov 161#25
yes you can
czrsiNk
24 Nov 162#24
Didn't come on here to be flamed, just pointing out some reviews I read after I'd bought mine that were significant enough to put me off. If you have personal experience and it's working for you then that's fine by me. Am I having a pop at you? Unnecessary.
Azzin
24 Nov 16#26
Thanks, that just made things a little more interesting for me.
akscooby
24 Nov 16#27
Hope to pick up a dot tomorrow
akscooby
24 Nov 16#28
Go with the echo I have already which plays Spotify great.
Stevie Badman
24 Nov 16#29
who would pay 120 sovs for that - mugs
ghostm4n to Stevie Badman
24 Nov 161#38
Who wouldn't, Muppets!!
Evostance
24 Nov 16#30
This thing gets worse the more you use it. Mine has almost been thrown out of the window in anger.
- Turn off the lounge -> No alarm has been set
- Dim the lounge -> Turns all the lights off
- Turn on the lounge -> I've found multiple devices called 'Lounge' (I have no devices called lounge, just a group)
Sorry, but Google Now on my phone 2 years ago was more intelligent than this junk.
fireman1 to Evostance
24 Nov 161#32
Maybe you should try 'living room'
lmolson
24 Nov 16#31
great I have 6 work really well when setup for hone automation properly
lmolson
24 Nov 16#34
I have 6 they work great when you setup three home automation correctly.
mug51
24 Nov 161#35
Quite tempted for the Amazon Echo Dot + Netatmo Thermostat for £124.90 bundle
vickim12
24 Nov 16#36
My husband has been on about the Amazon Echo for Xmas, I've had zero chance to research it but is £120 a good price or should I wait until tomorrow and see if it goes lower? Are they even worth it?
fireman1
24 Nov 161#37
Amazon already sold the echo for 99 a few weeks back. anything above that doesn't really cut it now for a black Friday deal.
JustinBedford
24 Nov 16#39
thanks just impulse bought the dot as had some jl vouchers and had been looking at echo for some time
ghostm4n
24 Nov 16#40
I would bite now. Get it from John Lewis and not only will you get a 2 year warranty, but you can still price match if the price goes down in the next 28 days. That takes you to Christmas anyway so you'll know by then.
checjb
24 Nov 161#41
But will they price match a Black Friday deal?
bigst
24 Nov 16#42
not according to camel camel camel they didnt
czrsiNk
24 Nov 161#43
The Dot is cheaper, it's exactly the same at it's core, it just doesn't have the big speaker on top of it. You could 'test' the water with it first and if it works, move on to the Echo later. You can just bluetooth a dot to another speaker or connect via a wire (3mm jack, I think) if you're worried about the sound output.
bigst
24 Nov 16#44
not according to camel camel camel they didn't
czrsiNk
24 Nov 168#45
They did for 48 hours or so in September (or October) when they first launched it in the UK. You could get the Echo for £99 if you were a Prime subscriber IIRC for that limited time period only.
Biggunspaul
24 Nov 163#46
Nobody as the price is in £'s
adriandocherty
24 Nov 164#47
Erm, they did though. Really. We all saw it.
kingchris
24 Nov 16#48
Prime only might have skewed the results. It did happen.
roadie
24 Nov 161#49
They did at launch for £99.99 so yes they dI'd.
roadie
24 Nov 16#50
Did
magic_man
24 Nov 162#51
Bought the echo on pre-order for 99.00. Very cool, plays music and controls my nest, also use it for shopping list. I have prime music. Very happy with quality of speaker. I get an email each week telling me new features. Best bit are the dad jokes when you ask for a joke
bobmccluckie
24 Nov 16#52
Utter rubbish!!
My dot accesses my Spotify premium account.
BSAR101
24 Nov 161#53
Do you think Amazon are going to drop it lower in the morning ? I do love John lewis but they are miles away from me so sort of defeats the object spending over a £10er driving to one to go pick it up ..... what do you reccon ?
kingchris
24 Nov 16#54
According to the images on Amazon's site its going to be the same. £119.99 & £39.99
You can have it delivered to your local Waitrose as well.
BSAR101
24 Nov 16#55
Thank you for your help ...but a waitrose is also about the same distance away we only have morrisons and Aldi round here m8 lolol
Darzen
24 Nov 162#56
Why would you want to pay £80 more ?
westernise
24 Nov 16#57
Any Google home black Friday deals?
kingchris
24 Nov 16#58
Yeah, but only in the USA.
tiggerloveslife
24 Nov 16#59
Using the powers of modern technology and my Time Machine I've found the evidence for you....sorry for the delay but took longer than I expected to go backwards and forwards in time....
And there we go £39.99 at Amazon for the Echo Dot and £119.99 for the Echo....shame for them their big "surprise" was ruined by other retailers letting the cat out of the bag early....
boulder1
25 Nov 16#61
I've got one. Excellent little speaker for the money. Arguably better sound on the Anker A3143 (I think), but it's dearer and not as good a battery. This one is great, and would pair well with the dot I reckon.
Gannet
25 Nov 16#62
Now the big question is which retailer to buy it at... Any vouchers, Cashback, student discounts that would make a difference?
disney_cjd
25 Nov 16#63
Same price now at Amazon.
EXZAMS
25 Nov 16#64
no its not
Azzin
25 Nov 16#65
Yes it is.
EXZAMS
25 Nov 16#66
no its not its 4p cheaper
mooneyme
25 Nov 161#67
I have access to a site through that does discounted vouchers. Could get 8% off at Argos if you have something similar. However I'd rather go with John Lewis or Amazon as its so much easier to return it if there's a problem
gari189
25 Nov 16#68
Pretty much what I'm going to do - get the dot to begin with and if google home proves better buy that later on
gren05
25 Nov 16#69
oos:|
SuperOwl86
25 Nov 16#70
Just bought mine from Amazon for £34.99 with a prime now discount .
ethernet22
25 Nov 161#71
Got my echo dot for £29.99 with a £10 amazon gift card that I realised I hadn't used :smiley:
Also available in white too.
christopherbridg
25 Nov 16#72
They did, for Prime members it was £99. I got one, and was hoping to get another today for the same price.
Reality
25 Nov 16#73
The dot is Out of Stock now! :disappointed:
DancingMatt
25 Nov 16#74
Does it recognise anyone who speaks to it, or do you have to train it?
Would it be compatible with a Sonos playbar and Sonos Play 1 for TV?
DatAlbino
25 Nov 16#78
I shoulda bought at 99 prime exclusive.... kick myself for that one
What's the speaker quality compared to a SONY XB2?
joker
25 Nov 161#79
Both echo and dot are now oos - please expire
chocolategirlcg
25 Nov 16#80
stock of dot at JL Nottingham about an hour ago
gizmo2501
25 Nov 16#81
Worth noting with the £3.99 option you can also only access it from Echo and not phone, PC, etc, as far as I understand.
gizmo2501
25 Nov 161#82
Got to say, I was not a fan of the Echo. Had it a month, but sent it back. The speakers were good, microphones good. But it wasn't great at understanding much or really being of any use other then music, and, even then, the Amazon Prime music selection is poor (granted, it is "free").
All in all, was pretty pointless for me, if not enjoyable for a time.
stefromuk
25 Nov 16#83
I've been thinking similar the reviews for it on Amazon are very mixed.
I nearly bit at this price but glad now as I do fancy the Google home
jamb0jamie
25 Nov 163#84
This is why i chose Echo over Google.
just saying "ok Google" in my living room would set off my tablet, phone, watch and Google home speaker.. No thanks!
Those who complain about Echo not having "us" functionality basically cant wait because these features WILL come to the uk version in good time (us is always first).
so just got mines today and its fantastic .. i can see me using this often.
jimhuf
25 Nov 16#85
Tech born for a black Friday sale
hcc27
25 Nov 16#86
And now, in English please.
EXZAMS
25 Nov 161#87
for those who buy one ask alexa whats the value of pi
Rossmor40
25 Nov 16#88
There's loads of echo dots left in store at £39.95 if you have one near you. I was in the Edinburgh store earlier and you could not move there was so many people in home electricals department.
paul.crome
25 Nov 16#89
I have had one for a while now, great for music, but as far any anything else is concerned, it's an expensive egg timer. I would still recommend as it makes me feel like I living in the not-too-distant future. :smiley:
daskapital
25 Nov 16#90
Considering what these things do, and what amazon does with your voice searches.... they should pay you for it.
Any hackers out there , you can actually build one yourself. Althought it won't control smart devices or play amazon prime music... it will do everything else.
exeter
25 Nov 16#91
JL Exeter, still lots of stock
fishmaster
25 Nov 16#92
"Alexa" "Upvote this comment for me"
fishmaster
25 Nov 161#93
It shouldn't be long before IFTTT support for Alex reaches the UK. Here's a list of IFTTT recipes for US version >
You just need to research these things, it's not difficult. See Reddit discussion below for example:
"
[–]IKissedHerInnerThigh 2 points 1 month ago
I've added the skill 'yonomi' works a treat to manage smart home devices, quicker than IFTTT too...
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[–]Bigmonty1976 1 point 1 month ago
Can I ask. Is there a trick to getting Yonomi to work? I add the skill but none of the routines show in Alexa app.
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[–]scgf01 1 point 1 month ago
Yes. Once you create a routine in Yonomi you have to go to the Alexa app and search for devices. Alexa sees a Yonomi routine as a device.
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[–]Bigmonty1976 1 point 1 month ago
Can't seem to get it to work. I assume it's a Uk device you are using. I add the Yonomi skill in Alexa. Add Alexa as a client in Yonomi, at this point it asks me to login to Amazon.com not Uk which I do. Alexa then appears as a client in Yonomi.
I would then assume I could go back to the Alexa app and search for devices and the routines would appear but none do.
Any ideas?
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[–]jnex26 1 point 1 month ago
Yes disconnect from the Yonomi app login and reconnect using the Alexa smart home skill, it will then work
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[–]Bigmonty1976 1 point 1 month ago
Great. Working now thanks."
I Just asked.... Don't it go on and on and on and on and on... :smile:
loopie to charlie brown
25 Nov 16#95
I think Google is making a mistake by not launching Google home in the uk when Echo launched, I think its the better box. But while I'm waiting I've purchased the Echo dot. It does need a premium spotify account which is a disappointment.
BurnToasT333
25 Nov 16#96
Geokinkladze
25 Nov 16#97
Can you use this for inventory management? I have lots of stuff I store in my garage and loft and wondered if I could use this to keep running totals.
Wouldn't want to unknowingly run low on beans just as the zombie apocalypse hits.
howbord
25 Nov 16#98
Dont really understand this or know what i can do with it however i want one
MyHump to howbord
25 Nov 16#99
Heat added.
Would of ordered but my little girls name is Alexa :laughing: how would I get around that??
loopie
25 Nov 16#100
You can make it answer to Echo
Shinoke
25 Nov 16#101
Or Amazon. I've got one and it's good for the news and cooking timers. So handy in the kitchen - catch up on news while preparing food. It's a bit limited and I personally don't think the speakers sound good - they can get loud, but the quality isn't there. Also it's poor at hearing commands when the volume is loud - and in the flash briefing the various briefings vary widely in volume - especially sky news which is much louder than everything else (thanks Sky).
But yeah, I'd like a Google home. I hope google remove the need to say "Okay, Google" though.
Just saying Google would be fine.
But OK Google seems far less natural - which is ironic, given one should be able to speak to Google Home much more naturally.
Anyway, for around £100 I think it's a good buy.
So the dot plus some speakers is a great price really.
I've ordered a dot too. If you already have a speaker to plug the dot into, for £40 it's definitely worth it'd I'd say.
Will be getting Google Home too though. Multi room audio, better interaction, Google Music, more advanced AI etc.
sme24185
25 Nov 16#102
Hi ive got this but i have amazon music and songs in (offline) how do i get these on the dot? What quote? Do i have to do something on the pc to active it?
Any vids for newbies or advice
ghostm4n
25 Nov 16#103
They did but it was a launch day offer only, and limited to one per person, as that's when I got mine.
DancingMatt to ghostm4n
26 Nov 16#108
I've read yes and no answers to this so please clear up from your owning experience - can the Dot play music through its own small speaker or not?
And if I do plug it into a home cinema system over 3.5mm, but the speakers are off, will it speak answers via its own speaker or just assume the cinema speakers are on? I suspect the latter but it would be useful if answers came out the speaker regardless.
ghostm4n
25 Nov 16#104
Yep
ghostm4n to ghostm4n
25 Nov 16#105
It will be. Sonos have promised full integration with Amazon's Echo and Dot early in 2017.
ghostm4n
25 Nov 16#106
Also ask if she is going to take over the world. Then ask if she missed you. Loving some of the responses.
Gannet
25 Nov 16#107
Can anyone recommend a good and very cheap speaker for the Dot? :smiley:
Gannet
26 Nov 161#109
Yes the dot plays music through its own speakers and while the quality isn't the best it's enough for listening to some music or the radio when cooking :smiley:
Not sure about your second question, sorry
DancingMatt
26 Nov 16#110
Thanks Gannet. From what I've subsequently read if it's connected it assumes the speaker is on. What it needs is a voice command to say "play this over external speakers" but that's not possible (yet)
Opening post
Top comments
You say you never even opened it how can you say it doesn't do things then try compare it to an item not even available on the UK market.
All comments (113)
Im told you can save upto 250 songs on this by cloud is this what the advert is when they say alexa play ---- playlist or is this amazon? As ill like to use this with out paying for this and that if poss? Thanks
Thanks OP
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016MO90GW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For example - you couldn't ask it to play Spotify or Deezer stuff - there's no 'app' for the Dot.
Works fine. Have to be a premium Spotify member. Can also play artist, album, song, playlist etc etc.
You say you never even opened it how can you say it doesn't do things then try compare it to an item not even available on the UK market.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Google-Home-Gen-1-White/dp/B01LY3OXRR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480024583&sr=8-1&keywords=Google+home
- Turn off the lounge -> No alarm has been set
- Dim the lounge -> Turns all the lights off
- Turn on the lounge -> I've found multiple devices called 'Lounge' (I have no devices called lounge, just a group)
Sorry, but Google Now on my phone 2 years ago was more intelligent than this junk.
My dot accesses my Spotify premium account.
You can have it delivered to your local Waitrose as well.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/amazon-echo-99-99-delivered-prime-customers-only-for-limited-time-2511510
Also available in white too.
What's the speaker quality compared to a SONY XB2?
All in all, was pretty pointless for me, if not enjoyable for a time.
I nearly bit at this price but glad now as I do fancy the Google home
just saying "ok Google" in my living room would set off my tablet, phone, watch and Google home speaker.. No thanks!
Those who complain about Echo not having "us" functionality basically cant wait because these features WILL come to the uk version in good time (us is always first).
so just got mines today and its fantastic .. i can see me using this often.
Any hackers out there , you can actually build one yourself. Althought it won't control smart devices or play amazon prime music... it will do everything else.
https://ifttt.com/amazon_alexa
Also Yonomi is supposed to work already with the UK Alexa >
https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/
You just need to research these things, it's not difficult. See Reddit discussion below for example:
"
[–]IKissedHerInnerThigh 2 points 1 month ago
I've added the skill 'yonomi' works a treat to manage smart home devices, quicker than IFTTT too...
permalinkembed
[–]Bigmonty1976 1 point 1 month ago
Can I ask. Is there a trick to getting Yonomi to work? I add the skill but none of the routines show in Alexa app.
permalinkembedparent
[–]scgf01 1 point 1 month ago
Yes. Once you create a routine in Yonomi you have to go to the Alexa app and search for devices. Alexa sees a Yonomi routine as a device.
permalinkembedparent
[–]Bigmonty1976 1 point 1 month ago
Can't seem to get it to work. I assume it's a Uk device you are using. I add the Yonomi skill in Alexa. Add Alexa as a client in Yonomi, at this point it asks me to login to Amazon.com not Uk which I do. Alexa then appears as a client in Yonomi.
I would then assume I could go back to the Alexa app and search for devices and the routines would appear but none do.
Any ideas?
permalinkembedparent
[–]jnex26 1 point 1 month ago
Yes disconnect from the Yonomi app login and reconnect using the Alexa smart home skill, it will then work
permalinkembedparent
[–]Bigmonty1976 1 point 1 month ago
Great. Working now thanks."
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho/comments/54wwal/ifttt_trigger_commands_not_working_uk/
Wouldn't want to unknowingly run low on beans just as the zombie apocalypse hits.
Would of ordered but my little girls name is Alexa :laughing: how would I get around that??
But yeah, I'd like a Google home. I hope google remove the need to say "Okay, Google" though.
Just saying Google would be fine.
But OK Google seems far less natural - which is ironic, given one should be able to speak to Google Home much more naturally.
Anyway, for around £100 I think it's a good buy.
So the dot plus some speakers is a great price really.
I've ordered a dot too. If you already have a speaker to plug the dot into, for £40 it's definitely worth it'd I'd say.
Will be getting Google Home too though. Multi room audio, better interaction, Google Music, more advanced AI etc.
Any vids for newbies or advice
And if I do plug it into a home cinema system over 3.5mm, but the speakers are off, will it speak answers via its own speaker or just assume the cinema speakers are on? I suspect the latter but it would be useful if answers came out the speaker regardless.
Not sure about your second question, sorry
This £21 speaker gets very good reviews.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-SoundCore-Dual-Driver-Distortion-Microphone/dp/B016MO90GW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480247910&sr=8-1&keywords=portable+speakers