Anyone got Alexa

Oh my goodness, I would not be without alexa, I have 3, bedroom, kitchen and living room. Every morning when I wake, I ask the time and the weather. This morning I set an alarm to wake me. At night I may play sleep-inducing thunderstors for 20 minutes. I have not explored the alexa properties to the full. I know she will read audible and play lots of music and radio channels. Tbh, very good company

My late father, who died in his 40s, would have loved all this new technology. I remember when I was little, dad getting a very basic photocopier in his office. He took me and my brother and sister to see it one Saturday. My brother drew a train and dad copied it! Such excitement.

Zoejory
I have an Alexa. She now lives under the stairs. Unplugged

There’s always one Franbern
I am not a dinosaur or against every new gadget that comes out, but if I do not need something to replicate what I can do perfectly easily (switching lights/radio/music on ) writing reminders on my calendar or in the diary or doing simple calculations I have no desire to buy one. The day may come when age or debility makes it a viable option but that is yet to come. Incidentally I do also lament the increasing inability of some youngsters to read maps and we have all had a laugh at delivery lorry drivers who get stuck up narrow winding streets or even driveways thanks to their slavish adherence to their Satnav have we not?
There is no need to ridicule those who feel my way but comparing it to boiling a kettle on the hearth, or using toasting forks but, (big but) we have also had lengthy threads about conserving energy and cutting back on usage so I think there is room for discussion without exaggeration or ridicule.

Charleygirl5

MayBeMaw if you went out for a couple of hours, leaving Rosie behind, you could ask Alexa to play her some soothing music which she would love.

? I do that anyway- ie leave the radio on, she is particular fond of Woman’s Hour (of course)

I suppose the final mark of whether any piece of home technology is useful are the comments and experiences of those who have tried it. I note on here, that not one person, who has Alexa or similar, has decided to do without it, indeed, many have increased the number they have in their homes.

We have two, I use the one in the kitchen as a cooking timer and it controls lighting etc. She also informs us when parcels are being delivered and plays music to order. Robots next?!

Love it the way people seem happy to disparage any new home technology. Bet people used to moan about records, saying they would just prefer to sit down and play their own pianos at home. Can imagine how people viewed those horrible new-fangled wireless's (crystal boxes), saying it would mean that people would not longer go out to get news. And as for television - well, I can actually remember the number of people who stated categorically that they would NEVER has colour ones in their homes, and the same number who were so opposed to the idea of having news programmes on tv at breakfast time!!!

I am still amazed at how many older people I come across who do not have a Smartphone. Will still drive without Satnavs, saying their maps willd o the jobs for them!!

Well, each to their own, but I am most grateful for all this modern tcchnology which enables me to live such a very easy and comfortable life, particularly in my home.

Yes, obviously, I could live without Alexa, but so i could without my electric kettle, (okay no open fire but could put a kettle on the hobs), my toaster, -could use grill (or toasting fork if I had an open fire), no vacuum cleaner, brooms and beater, no washing machine, etc. etc. BUT.....thank goodness we do not have to do without these and Alexa is just another little bit of home tech which helps to make life a little more comfortable and easier.

MayBeMaw if you went out for a couple of hours, leaving Rosie behind, you could ask Alexa to play her some soothing music which she would love.

I’ll have one when it can clean the bath and wash the kitchen floor. ?

I can see how very useful they are for anyone disabled or with limited mobility, though.

Re Alexa listening in - DH made scrambled eggs yesterday that were a bit dry. This morning his phone feed is full of recipes for scrambled eggs.

Alexa has the rolling photos that i put on ages ago.

Pittcity

It's great for security in that it can turn lights etc on and off when you're away. You can also get it to bark when it sees someone at the door!

Well that would go down like a lead balloon with Rosie! ?
In the “olden days” we used to have time switches attached to sockets so that lights could go on and off , but speaking as a regular village dog walker, I reckon I can spot who’s away without any difficulty!

Maw yep I so agree ?
wonderful for anyone disabled, confined to house or lonely but for able bodied why ? we have everything already radios, light switches, iPads, Google, phones, kettles, curtain draws ie arms
Now if it could itch my back, do my bra up, give me a cuddle and switch my brain off when I m worrying I d have one tomorrow ???

It's great for security in that it can turn lights etc on and off when you're away. You can also get it to bark when it sees someone at the door!

Eldest son bought one for OHs 70th last month. He loves it. He particularly likes the joke of the day. He uses it a lot for setting reminders. It’s quicker than setting his phone.

We have 6 which includes a Portal and a Show and wouldn't be without them.

FannyCornforth

The ‘Smart Home’ things that Alexa can do are extremely helpful and very affordable for for those with disabilities.

Granted FannyCornforth and I suppose I can count myself fortunate that I am still able-bodied.
Now if only I could get an Alexa to put the washing away for me, likewise the shopping, unload the dishwasher and put the bin bags out ……we might be in business.

Nothing here to persuade me at the moment to get one.

Music and books are played through Sonos via phone and iPad.
It’s no bother to flick on light switches.
No need for an alarm or reminders to do anything, but if I did I have the phone and iPad and outlook diary.
No need to know the outside temperature for any reason, even when I worked outside.
News headlines come from all directions.
Etc, etc

Maybe in years to come if I’m immobile or forgetful or live alone I might find one useful, but not yet.
William Morris is my soulmate.

FannyCornforth

The ‘Smart Home’ things that Alexa can do are extremely helpful and very affordable for for those with disabilities.

Here, here, Fanny.

Even if an Echo dot is belting out tunes all day, apparently research in the US has shown that it costs only $7 a year to run. Even less, if left on standby.
A small price to pay for those of us with disabilities.

Furthermore, by using smart plugs, we have saved energy, because lights are not left on in empty rooms. Only positives for us.

Maw they don’t need to be ‘permanently on’. You can just turn them off / unplug them.

She can create shopping lists, and order direct from Amazon (and Morrison’s and Ocado too, I think)

ayse I can assure you that she does indeed understand the Black Country accent !

The ‘Smart Home’ things that Alexa can do are extremely helpful and very affordable for for those with disabilities.

We agree Maw I just can’t imagine anything I can’t already do perfectly well strangely enough I m still capable of turning a light on or off and a kettle Soon everyone will just sit still all day and call out orders ???

Now if it cooked and served a meal for me or gave me a cuddle when I m sad I might consider

Bluebelle ??
The things we never knew we needed and have managed perfectly well without before now!
Out of interest- presumably there is an amount of energy usage- however small- as it is permanently on?
I am yet to be persuaded!

The thing that I definitely use her most for is Audible.
DH and I listen every night to a book (separately)
I have over 200 Audible books

We have 2 and Ive Alexa on my Amazon Fire. Use it for the radio,weather,kettle and lights also our fish tank for turning the light on. My DH always says "Alexa I love you" and she sings a song back. It makes us laugh.