Anyone got Alexa

We have one. I often play a local radio station or use it as a timer. Very handy I wouldn’t be without ‘her’ now although I wasn’t fussed when Himself suggested we buy one a couple of years ago.

I have an Alexa in my Living Room and a small dot in my bedroom. Brilliant little gadgets. Always amazed as how people seem to want to believe silly scare stories about new home technology. Bet people back in 1920's worried about their old wireless;s listening in on them, etc. etc.

In my Bedroom my lovely little Dot answers to the name of 'Computer' (I am a trekkie fan). Tried that for the Living Room one, but it lives under the tv, and any time I had any Star Trek episodes on, it kept switching itself on and getting it knickers in a twist, so had to be re-named.

These turn bedroom, living room and hall lights on and off upon request. So, at night, from my chair in the Living Room, can turn on my bedroom light (and lights can be dimmed or even colour changed if required). Could do more, if I were to splash out on different plugs.

I use them to listen to the radio, get outside temperature, receive notifications of Amazon deliveries, and answer questions (instead of me having to go to my laptop). The one in my bedroom also acts as a brilliant alarm clock, does not have to be close to the bed as it responds to verbal commands. Also have headphones set to Alexa for playing to me my Audible books.

In the event of an emergency or if I had a fall, I could just call out to alexa or computer to telephone either for ambulance or else to my daughter or son-in-law.

With that and my mobile phone, I can turn on my lights from downstairs before I enter the building so no need to enter a dark flat. My daughter uses hers to turn on her electric blanket from her car on her way home from work.

They are pretty cheap to buy and a have no on-going cost (except of course a small amount of leccie).

Yes, of course I could live without it, but that applies to many gadgets that are there and make my life easier and more confortable.

We've got one. I love it. I don't know what make it is, just a basic one. If we have ordered stuff from Amazon, and say 'Alexa where's my stuff?' she tells you when it will be delivered. Anything you need to know general knowledge wise, she usually had answers. I also say 'Alexa play The Beatles' or whatever music I want.
My nephew said to his mum the other day 'Where's your Alexa?' and Alexa replied 'I'm right here'.

We use ours to control lights and plugs with timers and remotely. She is also our doorbell and helps dyslexic DH with spellings. Music and information are useful too.
As for listening to you. What do you have to hide? Just typing on this forum will bring up personalised ads.....
As somebody said above you'd need to be near your device to hear a reminder. If that's the only reason your buying one you'd be better off with the alarm on a smartphone.

Just googled 'Alexa'. Yes, you can indeed set them to record your conversation. It gives instructions how to record and how to make sure you are not. Useful I would say !

Lolo81

I got one for my dad for this exact reason. It’s great, set the alarm and Alexa reminds him every day to take his pills. He also uses it for checking the weather, playing the radio and anything else he wants to google. It took him a wee while to realise he has to speak quite slowly for her to understand his accent (we’re west of Scotland), but now I think he likes Alexa more than me lol!!

Thank you. I wonder if she’ll understand the Black Country accent? ?

kittylester

*Kate*, we bought no 5 today. If DH moves to the spare room, his tinnitus is keeps him awake so there will soon be one in there. He plays 'Sleep Sounds' but I am not sure which is worse- his snoring or the blessed birds on the app.

I’d love the bird song. I used to lie in bed with granny and grandad listening to the birds singing many years ago. So many happy memories.

I have 2, one upstairs and one down.
Alarm, radio and Amazon playlist of my favourite songs and artists courtesy Amazon music.
I also say good morning and she tells me a fun fact and listen to the news first and last thing.

Scotsmum

I use my iphone for medication reminders - sure that most phones will have that ability, or an app? This has the advantage that you don't need to be near your Alexa speaker at the right time.

I’m going visiting my DD in Bristol this week and want to be able to remind DH. Since Covid he has a foggy brain especially in the morning and I’m a bit concerned. Sometimes he wanders round and starts doing something else and I have to remind him. I’m not very happy with the idea of Alexa but maybe needs must. I’ll have to hide it from the GCs, though.

Thank you all for your comments.

We have six. We use them for controlling lights, setting alarms, finding out the weather and as intercoms. It saves me struggling up and down stairs if I have to speak to DH or need assistance.

Mine has taken the place of a radio as I can tell it to play any radio station I choose. At bed-time, I play music and tell Alexa to stop playing in 20 minutes by which time I am almost always sound asleep. When I can't find my phone, it can't tell me where to find it, but will ring it up and when I hear it ringing, I can find it. My family use theirs to control lighting, set timers, add to the shopping list, set reminders and so on...

Kate, we bought no 5 today. If DH moves to the spare room, his tinnitus is keeps him awake so there will soon be one in there. He plays 'Sleep Sounds' but I am not sure which is worse- his snoring or the blessed birds on the app.

We have an Alexa, love it. You can also get a discreet wristband for reminders ayse he could wear that all the time, one example here:
www.amazon.co.uk/TabTime-Vibrating-Alarm-Reminder-Watch/dp/B0855ZRNFG?tag=gransnetforum-21

I got one for my dad for this exact reason. It’s great, set the alarm and Alexa reminds him every day to take his pills. He also uses it for checking the weather, playing the radio and anything else he wants to google. It took him a wee while to realise he has to speak quite slowly for her to understand his accent (we’re west of Scotland), but now I think he likes Alexa more than me lol!!

I have a two bedroom house and I have four. So I think that I win!

We have two Alexas. We use them for listening to the radio mainly. First thing in the morning I ask what the weather is for today. What the news headlines are. We have the Alexa dot which cost approx £20 in the sale and we also have the next size up.

I use my iphone for medication reminders - sure that most phones will have that ability, or an app? This has the advantage that you don't need to be near your Alexa speaker at the right time.

You’ve beaten us Kitty having 5 to our 4 ?

We have 4 in the house and I wouldn’t be without them. I use them mainly for music and BBC Radio 4. However I do use the timer and just say ‘Alexa put on a timer for half an hour’ easy peasy.

It also tells me when a parcel from Amazon is due by a flashing light.

When I am doing my Spanish homework I ask Alexa to translate a word into Spanish. It helps with spelling too.

My latest favourite is Spa Music which helps with my tinnitus.

My son has linked his up to the lighting and says ‘Alexa put on the dining room light’.

I believe we purchased them through Amazon.

grannygetsagrip.com/

This website might have something.

We have 5!! They are brilliant for that sort of thing. If you go to the long river company website you will find loads of them. It would depend what else you might like it to do. I would suggest one with a display.

If you don't want an Alexa, there are clocks that will remind you. I think, but am not sure, that some dosset boxes do it too.

I have an Alexa. She now lives under the stairs. Unplugged. Drove me mad when the grandchildren came and started demanding that Shark song.

She will tell you the outside temp. Not set it for you!

We have them, useful for listening to radio or music, setting alarms, outside temp.
You can connect them to smart plugs and Alexa will switch your lamps on, or anything else that you choose to connect to it.
She will read audio books to you, tell you jokes and sing Happy Birthday to you. Very useful.

There is a joke:
I said to my husband that Governments were listening in to all of our conversations, husband laughed, son laughed, daughter laughed, Alexa laughed………….

I don't. I have been led to believe they can record you??