Amazon Echo Auto
Discussion
Maybe.
Had one for a while but it bricked itself within about 6 months and went in the bin. Given that it requires your phone for both the app and internet connection it is a pretty pointless device when you can just control the alexa app on the phone directly using voice commands anyway.
Had one for a while but it bricked itself within about 6 months and went in the bin. Given that it requires your phone for both the app and internet connection it is a pretty pointless device when you can just control the alexa app on the phone directly using voice commands anyway.
chrisch77 said:
Maybe.
Had one for a while but it bricked itself within about 6 months and went in the bin. Given that it requires your phone for both the app and internet connection it is a pretty pointless device when you can just control the alexa app on the phone directly using voice commands anyway.
Can that be hands-free on the phone?Had one for a while but it bricked itself within about 6 months and went in the bin. Given that it requires your phone for both the app and internet connection it is a pretty pointless device when you can just control the alexa app on the phone directly using voice commands anyway.
I thought you had to press a button / icon.
Not tried it myself but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Might be a great way of turning any non-smart speaker into a smart speaker when you don't want a full Echo Dot to cart about or just want to upgrade your dated hifi system! (I've done this with a standard Dot but it looks more cumbersome.)
Re the app, I don't think it can be "always on" to hear voice commands hands-free. You have to poke it into action.
Re the app, I don't think it can be "always on" to hear voice commands hands-free. You have to poke it into action.
Hoofy said:
Not tried it myself but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Might be a great way of turning any non-smart speaker into a smart speaker when you don't want a full Echo Dot to cart about or just want to upgrade your dated hifi system! (I've done this with a standard Dot but it looks more cumbersome.)
Re the app, I don't think it can be "always on" to hear voice commands hands-free. You have to poke it into action.
A little flat Dot would be perfect ... but they don't do it anymore.Re the app, I don't think it can be "always on" to hear voice commands hands-free. You have to poke it into action.
Just discovered this in the Alexa App though ...
Need to go walkabout to test it .... can't say Alexa in my house without one of the existing devices sticking her nose in ......
sgrimshaw said:
Hoofy said:
Not tried it myself but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Might be a great way of turning any non-smart speaker into a smart speaker when you don't want a full Echo Dot to cart about or just want to upgrade your dated hifi system! (I've done this with a standard Dot but it looks more cumbersome.)
Re the app, I don't think it can be "always on" to hear voice commands hands-free. You have to poke it into action.
A little flat Dot would be perfect ... but they don't do it anymore.Re the app, I don't think it can be "always on" to hear voice commands hands-free. You have to poke it into action.
Just discovered this in the Alexa App though ...
Need to go walkabout to test it .... can't say Alexa in my house without one of the existing devices sticking her nose in ......
Re the app, last time I tried that, the phone had to be unlocked and the app open. Bit distracting when driving at night. Otherwise, you have to press the little Alexa logo in the app. What would be ideal is that if the app is running and you can switch off the screen (or whatever you call it when the screen goes black and the phone isn't switched off), and it hears you/responds.
It'll need usb power.
I have one in my car. Simply acts as a BT to 3.5mm interface as the phone app intercepts most requests.
I have to shout at it as it's a convertible and it's stored under the arm rest .
So when you see someone in an R8 Spyder shouting, repeatedly, "Alexa, play BBC radio 6" and looking embarrassed, that's me 😁
I have one in my car. Simply acts as a BT to 3.5mm interface as the phone app intercepts most requests.
I have to shout at it as it's a convertible and it's stored under the arm rest .
So when you see someone in an R8 Spyder shouting, repeatedly, "Alexa, play BBC radio 6" and looking embarrassed, that's me 😁
I have Alexa Auto's in both our cars...they're great - but let down by the god awful data coverage. So if you have Greatest Hits Radio premium as an example...it can be frustrating trying to listen to that because it keeps losing data and stopping...but Spotify is fine.
They're basically a glorified Bluetooth microphone, Bluetooth transmitter back to the car's Bluetooth for audio (actually relayed via the phone, but you can also use the Aux input if it's an older stereo) and all automatically tied into Alexa on your phone (so no need to unlock the phone to use Alexa).
They're basically a glorified Bluetooth microphone, Bluetooth transmitter back to the car's Bluetooth for audio (actually relayed via the phone, but you can also use the Aux input if it's an older stereo) and all automatically tied into Alexa on your phone (so no need to unlock the phone to use Alexa).
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