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Embarrassing Alexa

(107 Posts)
Havemercy Sun 26-Jan-25 12:29:06

Just experienced an extremely embarrassing episode, courtesy of our WiFi smart speaker. Alexa kindly reminded me ( out loud ) that it was time to order some more female incontinence towels. Very kind of her - but problem was this was in front of three visitors !! Embarrassing silence followed but I thought it might be a good idea to warn anyone who orders things from Amazon that Alexa will speak!!

Allira Sat 01-Feb-25 21:44:26

Twopence

Allira
"Had our DD been called Alexandra, diminutive Alex or Alexa, then Alexa in the corner would be constantly waking up and thinking we meant her."
It comes with a choice of names so you can change it.

I didn't know that, thank you.

DD appears to have come with a change of names too!

Twopence Sat 01-Feb-25 21:43:09

Allira
"Had our DD been called Alexandra, diminutive Alex or Alexa, then Alexa in the corner would be constantly waking up and thinking we meant her."
It comes with a choice of names so you can change it.

Twopence Sat 01-Feb-25 21:35:44

I love my Alexa. I got it when I was caring for my late DH. She was useful for the reminding me when his medication was due and for playing music which he enjoyed. Since his death I've got one for the bedroom, which is useful as an alarm clock and radio. Both were bought when they were on offer and I'd hate to be without them.

Sasta Tue 28-Jan-25 20:42:18

Marg75

I'm sure they don't listen!! They just react to what you order on Amazon for goodness sake and what you ask them about. We love ours, talk to our daughter face to face on our Alexa Show and she lives 200 miles away and have music etc on our Echo Dot in the kitchen.

They do listen Marg75, all smart devices listen to everything I believe (unless specifically programmed not to). I wasn’t even using my iphone, it was sitting in the middle console in the car when my DH said a swear word, actually in jest, and my phone piped up ‘there’s no need for that kind of language’.

Allira Tue 28-Jan-25 20:33:54

AreWeThereYet

^Did they use one of the wake words so that Alexa started listening?^

Alexa is always listening, otherwise it wouldn't hear the wake words. The only difference is that Alexa won't (or shouldn't) respond to any questions or instructions until it hears the wake word.

I just wondered if they had a friend, family member, pet called Alexa or Echo who was mentioned frequently.

Had our DD been called Alexandra, diminutive Alex or Alexa, then Alexa in the corner would be constantly waking up and thinking we meant her.

CanadianGran Tue 28-Jan-25 18:16:07

We don't have one, but not because i'm leery of technology, but because I always have my ipad handy to do any of the above.

kittylester Tue 28-Jan-25 18:13:45

I also have a friend like that, petra, I quite often get asked to order something for her. She is also confused that I don't have to actually get my card out to pay.

AreWeThereYet Tue 28-Jan-25 17:44:16

Did they use one of the wake words so that Alexa started listening?

Alexa is always listening, otherwise it wouldn't hear the wake words. The only difference is that Alexa won't (or shouldn't) respond to any questions or instructions until it hears the wake word.

petra Tue 28-Jan-25 17:39:22

I had an embarrassing moment with my anti tech friend. But it’s ok when she wants me to order something for her😉

She came to me to buy something online for her.
Got the iPad out and got to the pay now part.
She asked me how I was going to pay for it. I told her my cards on there she wanted to see where I’d actually attatched the card to the device 🤦🏼‍♀️

Aldom Tue 28-Jan-25 17:38:18

Kitty I have a friend who refuses to have a Smart TV because she believes they spy on us.

Allira Tue 28-Jan-25 17:34:46

Allira

Claremont

NO Alexa in this house. One of our AC was a great fan, until they realised that anything they discussed just happen to turn up all their devices 'just by miracle' within a few minutes or hours. They got rid immediately.

Did they use one of the wake words so that Alexa started listening?
Do you have a family member named Alex or Alexa?

I wanted to name one of our DD Alexandra, so glad I didn't now although I still like the name.

Or a cat called Echo, perhaps!

Allira Tue 28-Jan-25 17:33:15

Claremont

NO Alexa in this house. One of our AC was a great fan, until they realised that anything they discussed just happen to turn up all their devices 'just by miracle' within a few minutes or hours. They got rid immediately.

Did they use one of the wake words so that Alexa started listening?
Do you have a family member named Alex or Alexa?

I wanted to name one of our DD Alexandra, so glad I didn't now although I still like the name.

petra Tue 28-Jan-25 17:31:29

MissChateline

I have Alexa’s throughout my tall thin 4 storey house. I can communicate with my partner anywhere in the house without having to run up and down stairs. I use them for alarms, timers, the radio and to turn on and off my central heating and lights.

My father was in a nursing home 200 miles away and I installed an Alexa show in his room. He was able to call me and have a video chat without having to navigate buttons etc and without having to ask staff to assist. I was able to see him and see how he was. He was able to play music when he wanted and I had put a family photo album as a scrolling screensaver so he was always able to look at photos of precious memories. Initially the care staff were wary of this as they thought that I would be watching and checking up on them which I never did of course but later embraced the technology and the added interest it gave to my father.

Wonderful 🥰

Pittcity Tue 28-Jan-25 17:26:47

kittylester

I do wonder about people being so unacceptable of new things. It is so aging not to try to keep up.

I agree Kitty. Especially those who are proud of the fact.

kittylester Tue 28-Jan-25 16:48:38

I do wonder about people being so unacceptable of new things. It is so aging not to try to keep up.

mokryna Tue 28-Jan-25 16:18:22

AGAA4 crazyH
One night I was woken by Alexa saying something. She/it was in another room and usually will only respond to a voice so it was a bit unnerving as I was alone in the house

Maybe you talk in your sleep. How do you know that you don’t?

Claremont Tue 28-Jan-25 15:46:15

NO Alexa in this house. One of our AC was a great fan, until they realised that anything they discussed just happen to turn up all their devices 'just by miracle' within a few minutes or hours. They got rid immediately.

rocketstop Tue 28-Jan-25 12:05:53

OMG that's terrible !

Peaches7 Tue 28-Jan-25 08:24:37

I have 4 alexas and love them I listen to the radio and also audio books on mine,I order alot from amazon and my alexa has never ever reminded me to reorder anything,

MissChateline Tue 28-Jan-25 07:58:20

I have Alexa’s throughout my tall thin 4 storey house. I can communicate with my partner anywhere in the house without having to run up and down stairs. I use them for alarms, timers, the radio and to turn on and off my central heating and lights.

My father was in a nursing home 200 miles away and I installed an Alexa show in his room. He was able to call me and have a video chat without having to navigate buttons etc and without having to ask staff to assist. I was able to see him and see how he was. He was able to play music when he wanted and I had put a family photo album as a scrolling screensaver so he was always able to look at photos of precious memories. Initially the care staff were wary of this as they thought that I would be watching and checking up on them which I never did of course but later embraced the technology and the added interest it gave to my father.

HiPpyChick57 Tue 28-Jan-25 01:06:17

We have four Alexas, echo dot in living room, my bedroom, daughter’s bedroom.
Echo show in kitchen where i listen to music and watch films or box sets from Amazon prime and Netflix.
I phone people on it as well.
Also use it as the font of all knowledge when we need to find the answer to something. Wouldn’t part with mine they’re far too handy.

Allira Mon 27-Jan-25 22:46:35

wibblywobblywobblebottom

Don't people buy Alexa because it speaks. I'm not senile so I can remember what needs to be bought, or I write it down on a piece of paper.

Ooh, tempting fate there wwwb

I hope you crossed your fingers and knocked on wood!

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 27-Jan-25 22:45:14

- music wise!

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 27-Jan-25 22:43:20

I pay too. It gives you access to anything you might ask for.

Rosiebee Mon 27-Jan-25 22:41:13

Why do you pay £2.99 a month? I bought my Alexas and can listen to radio and music at no extra cost. Curious as to what you are paying for.