All those with an Amazon "Alexa" device who don't have a dishwasher!

And as for music playing in the background....??
I go out of my way to avoid Muzak in public places and I don’t want it at home!

I love music playing at home but don't have Alexa. I just use Spotify through the house speakers (sonos or soundbar). Is Alexa better than this? I've not had one so don't know whether or not my music would be any better. I've just learnt that Alexa uses Amazon for music which is vastly inferior to the Spotify 'library'.

We have an Echo. My husband loves it; he can ask it all sorts of questions related to his "Space Cadet" interests such as Quantum Theory, General and Special Relativity, Cosmology etc.

He tells me that he's always amazed at Alexa's answers and he hardly ever stumps her with his questions. He tells me that, every time you ask a question, Alexa accesses Amazon's computers to see if it can get an answer via, e.g. Wikipedia, Amazon Prime Music etc.

So. it's just a computer program and our grandkids love it, especially when they can tell it off!

I think I need one....

I have Alexa and a dishwasher but I don't let them anywhere near each other. And then there's the tumble dryer. Who knows what havoc the three of them might wreak if they got together.

I love the idea that should I fall I can just ask Alexa to call my son or daughter or 999.

I do make sure though that ‘she’ doesn’t have access to other electrically controlled devices anno such as those you mentioned ? or the cat flap. Imagine ???

For those that have the Google Home speaker(s) which are the major competitor to Alexa may like to try the recently launched YouTube Music. The subscription cost is just under £10 per month, but for that users receive the normal Google Play Music streaming plus the new YouTube Music which allows anyone to set up playlists of music videos on their phones, tablets or smart TVs similar to normal audio-only music streams such as Spotify.

YouTube music can also be played on the Google Home Speaker (in audio only of course) but having used the service for two weeks now we find it very good especially as we have a free three months trial on the service.

The only drawback is that Google music cannot be played on Amazon Alexa and as we have a Google Home speaker in one lounge and Alexa in the other it can be slightly annoying that the same stream cannot be played on both as you move around the house.

However, after only two weeks of using YouTube music, we have cancelled our Spotify premium account and gone to a free account on that and made up our minds to stay with YouTube Music at the end of the free period.

The main reason for that decision, we love the Andre Rieu concerts and videos on YouTube and now they are advert free. GREAT

OldMeg I've read that these devices can't (?not allowed) to call 999.

MawBroon
I don't usually make a paper shopping list, but if I tell Alexa what I want, she can transfer it to my phone!
It saves on paper, I often forgot to take a list with me, but always have my phone on me, anything I can't get while shopping, I text DH who can try elsewhere if he's out and about!
I lead a very busy life and find that (to quote Tesco) every little helps!
Anyway, I'm the gadget queen, always have been, always will be, I love all new technology?

Juggernaut, same here. Both me and the wife love technology with wifi lighting all over the house and Alexa and Google speakers in three rooms.

Being both still working our next ambition is to have a robot vacuum cleaner to go all round while we are at work.

Started looking at online videos of them to find the right one for us.

Can't wait to see that working, but I wonder what Jeffery our cat will make of it as he is always ready to attack anything that moves.

youtu.be/f_1dhKsELzs

Here is one in action. (James Veitch, who made the clip, is my current youtube heartthrob)

JackyB, wonderful, thanks for sharing that. :-)

In our area we have no digital radio. In my house I cannot get a radio signal. Fancy that, in this day and age!!!
My Amazon Echo is fabulous, I can now listen to any radio station I want, and it's crystal clear. I too love technology, it's brilliant.
Here's a YouTube video, it made me laugh.
youtu.be/YvT_gqs5ETk

MiniMoon, thanks again for sharing that. It's typical of how Alexa responds to me at times.

Apparently, Alexa is to get a large upgrade in the next few days I have been reading. Users will be able to change the bass and treble in music, all by voice of course.

We live in a bit of a signal dip too Minimoon and struggle to get digital radio stations on a conventional digital radio in most rooms . My Alexa enables me to listen to digital radio, clear as a bell from anywhere .

Our family loves the Music Quiz, I always win the 70s round!

Ye Gods! Yet again an example of how a light hearted post can become contentious!

No wonder I find I'm posting less and less on GN.

Phoenix don't stop posting, please, you usually make me smile a lot.

Thank you, Auntieflo you're very kind, but I'm sure you can see what I mean!

phoenix
It's having a good old grizzle that makes some folk happy!
I do rather object to us Gransnetters being referred to as 'you lot' though, bad mannered in the extreme?

Correct me if I'm wrong, Juggernaut but I don't think I did use the term "you lot"?

Personally I don't see how you can knock something unless/until you have tried it, or at the very least see one in action.

My poor Alexa and her sister Dot didn't know whether they were coming or going yesterday! Grandson asking one to play Michael Jackson (he is a brilliant dancer) and the girls asking for the theme from The Greatest Showman at the same time.

gillybob

(Particularly the reference to Alexa and her sister Dot!)

Personally (and I could be very wrong phoenix) I find Alexa prefers to play a more sophisticated (dare I say upper class) kind of music whereas “ooor Dot” will play “out ya like”