Amazon Echo

I Have Alexa in my Living Room and a small dot which answers to Computer in my bedroom (life long Treekkie am I).

So many uses. If I suddenly remember something I need to get when In next go shopping, when I am lying in bed, I just tell Computer to add it to my shopping list. As I run low on an item in my kitchen I tell Alexa to add tht to my shopping list no hunting for working poen and piece of paper).
Love listening to the music from musicals on this
Has my audible books which I can listen to wherever I am - even when I am staying away from home overnight or in my car.
Acts as excellent alarm clock when I need it, just voice control to set it and to stop it. Also, a timer for anything I am preparing in the kitchen.
Listen to various radio stations on it.
Yes , I do ask temperature outside when I am getting dressed in morning.
Also.....I could (If I ever need to) use it as an emergency call for help, as I could just call out for it to telephone my daughter or Son in Law if I needed any help following a fall at home or similar.

Super little gadgets these are. I know there are many more uses. I am having my overhead light in my bedroom joined to it, so that I can do away with my bedside light and just control that light with voice.

I've been using Alexa to turn lights on and off without getting up for a while, but just found another use.
Having been left living on my own, and with limited mobility and fear of falling, I was looking at various alarm systems to call my family in emergency. I realised I already had one, with Echo Dots
I just have to say..."Alexa, call Pete", or whoever, and she rings his mobile and I can talk hands free.
I have tested the range, and one in the living room can 'hear' me from the hall and downstairs shower; one in the kitchen covers the dining room; and one in the conservatory covers that and the utility room, so I have the whole ground floor covered.
They are only £20 each at the moment, and with all the family numbers in, I feel much safer.
And I can have radio 4 wherever I fancy; and check the temperature; and play music; and control the lights; and..........

Thanks minimoon. I'll try again in the morning.

The Alexa app is compatible with the following operating systems and software versions:


iOS 11.0+
Android 6.0+
Fire OS 5.3.3+

Is this helpful?

I have the Alexa app on my 5 year old kindle fire. I also have it on my Wileyfox swift 2 android phone.
The Alexa app ought to work with any android phone.
Download it from the Google play store.

Petra thanks for replying. I have a new laptop an Honor Magic but it says not compatible when I try to download the Alexa app. I have a 2 year old Kindle. Probably too old as well. I'll have a look again tomorrow. My brain has reached its limit today. Thanks again.

nadateturbe
What other devices have you got that you could connect through. iPad, but it can't be 'old' Laptop?.
If no, wait 'till you see a good deal for a kindle. Sometimes about £40. You will then be able to get the app and connect.

I just got an Echo Show. But when I tried to download the Alexa App I get a message saying its not compatible with my phone, which is a 2016 Samsung smartphone J3. Any advice other than get a new phone anyone?

Thank you for coming back Annie!
Glad you got a good deal.
The Show is just an echo with a screen.

Thank you all, I bought a Dot, reduced price . only use it in
the living room, very small bungalow!

Now I want to know what ‘a show’ is, I don’t do technology,
just use my iPad .

The smaller ones don’t have such a good speaker.
Why not try the dot?
If you love it upgrade.
I started with a dot then got a show.
It has a screen and is great for video calling and displaying photographs.
My Alexa is the best gadget I ever bought.

Oh no! I've just seen that this is thread is seven months old!

Hello Annie
I love Alexa. I've got 5!
Three dots, a big one with a screen and a smaller one with a screen.
If recommend the small one with a screen when it's on offer at half price.
They are so easy to set up aswell (I'm terrible with technology).
They come automatically connected to you Amazon account.
Amazon have them on offer frequency, so don't pay full price unless you want one straight away.
I'm constantly looking at Amazon as I buy everything other than food and clothes from it.
I will pm you next time that they are in offer if you'd like.

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I'm glad I read this, I don't think I'll bother getting one.
Did you get one Anniebach?

Mine are mostly used for listening to radio. And a timer sometimes. I find her very useful to find the time when I wake up in the night without having to open my eyes.

I really like my Alexa. She’s in most rooms and is really handy. Quite frankly Alexa and my cats are my only company during lockdown.

Charleygirl true , I am not desperate, I’m bored , thank you

I'm with you Fiachna, a necessary evil of you have a disability, I am sure they can be very helpful, but why would I not get up to turn the lights on or off, switch on the radio or go and find my iPod to play music, gaining useful exercise in the process.

The more you are connected to the Internet of Things, the more easy you are to hack, and I wouldn't want my conversations being sent to India for helpdesk people to improve their English.

I wouldn't have one unless my mobility or sight was impaired. They are easy to hack into, along with most other 'Smart' devices. My phone has antivirus software on it. I also did not like the articles I read where some of these devices record your conversations, then send them elsewhere. The only benefit I see for them is they are great for people with certain disabilities.

Anniebach I would wait because I do not think you are desperate- I bought each machine at different times but I did not pay the full amount for any of them. They frequently have money off.

I think it is worth waiting but do not buy the one I mentioned, the plug in wireless one- not enough time was
spent perfecting it before it was put on the shelves.

Thank you Charleygirl , I couldn’t afford to pay for extras

Anniebach my Dot is in my bedroom at the other side of my bed and eg last night when I asked for the news I could hardly hear a word so I just asked for the sound to be increased and it was.

Apart from buying whichever machine you choose, please do not be talked into paying for anything else as the majority is free. Just ask one of us but do not part with cash.

Thank you MiniMoon, I only want to use it in my living room , I doubt I need a screen.

Didn’t think it would be so confusing ! I am not the brightest
coin in the mint.