Monday, September 28, 2020

Alexa Joins the Family


A few weeks ago we received a gift from our son, three Amazon Echo Dots or Alexa, smart speaker/virtual assistant.  I must say there was a time that I would not have one of these in the house.  I was not too sure about something that could be “spying” on you and listening in to what you say.  After learning more about it and seeing how friends and family enjoyed it, I have changed my mind. 

You don’t have to have more than one of these little speakers but if you do you can use them in different rooms plus, they work together as an intercom.   Our house is small and we would normally never need an intercom but with Tom’s hearing getting so much worse this has been very helpful.


 


We have only started learning some of what this can do but already we are glad to have it.  I have it set up with access to a calendar I have on my computer and Alexa will remind us of appointments or I can ask if we have any plans on a certain date and she will tell me.  We can ask anything you would ask Google and she’ll give us an answer.  We can make phone calls through her and she keeps a shopping list for us.  If we receive an Amazon delivery, she tells us when it arrives so we don’t have to worry about it sitting outside.  My favorite use for Alexa is in playing music.  You can request any kind of music and she will play it.  There are many things you can do with it involving controlling lights, heat and other such things but many of those require special plugs, etc.  We are working up to that!  



We’ve also just had fun with it.  We were joking around when we first got it set up and Tom (with his little boy humor) said “I wonder if Alexa farts?”  Immediately she began making farting noises!  Anytime you say her name first, it wakes her up and she does what you asked if possible.  If you have children you might not want to teach them this Alexa ability because I know when my boys were young this would have gotten old fast!  Alexa will also play quiz games and such with you.  She likes to tell jokes but they are usually bad and I don’t recommend you let her sing either.  One of our cats, Sophie, is fascinated with Alexa.  I think she is trying to find the person that goes with the voice. 


I just realized this post sounds like an advertisement for Amazon Echo but I promise you it is not.  I had been curious about this speaker for so long and wondered what it could do so I thought others might be curious too.  Is it a necessary item?  No.  It is a fun convenience plus as I said, ours was a gift.  Maybe our kids are trying to keep us up to date with the new gadgets, or possibly just keep us busy and out of their hair!   ðŸ˜‰ 




39 comments:

  1. Dagan and Leah gave me wall plug ins of Alexa and Google. I use both of them for different things--LOL! But I don't use them as much as I could be, I guess. I know they do a lot more. :)

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    1. That's cool that you have two different types. We have not begun to learn all the different things Alexa will do. I think we will learn more with time and experience. It is fun though.

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  2. I bet many who get a new "Alexa" try to find out whether it can fart or burp! Good job my parents did not have one when my sister and I were little, we would have never stopped making it do the most silly things.
    Good that it helps with Tom's hearing problems, and you find it both fun and convenient.
    As I work in data/privacy protection and IT security, it is not something I would want for myself, but I am realistic enough to know that many people are glad they have it, and with certain health issues, it can be a real plus.

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    1. I'm glad we did not have this when my sons were young because they were always a bit too talented with computer products! I do understand your concerns about these speakers and if I was doing the work you do at home I would not have one either. I originally did not want one but finally decided there was really nothing worth anyone listening to us for that would matter. We are pretty boring!

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  3. We had one as a Christmas gift, I snorted at it.......now she plays my favorite music, without me having to move and find disc. Our daughter has one in every room in their house, which turns lights on and off. In her main room she has colour changing bulbs which our grandsons love, disco at home.

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    1. Hi and welcome! It's good to hear from others with experience with Alexa as it is still very new to us. I agree, playing music is my favorite thing about Alexa too. That's great that your daughter is using it with controlling lights and such. I bet the kids do love it! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Well you fooled me. I thought Alexa was a new kitty cat that had joined your family. Shoot! :)

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    1. Ha! In a way I wish it was another cat but I think we have the most we can handle right now since they are indoor kitties. You know what - Alexa will meow and my cats are very interested when she does!

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  5. Must say that I am of like minds with Meike as it pertains to IT security, so I don't have one, but happy to hear it is helpful for both you and Tom. Some days one needs all the help you can garner.

    My youngest GD (now 5) is a master of Alexa--much to the chagrin of her parents at times. :) She is now teaching her younger brothers some of her tricks.

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    1. I understand your feelings about the IT security side of these speakers. I wouldn't have one for a long time but finally changed my mind after seeing others use them. It is proving to be very useful for some of the problems Tom has had recently.

      I can just imagine your granddaughter with Alexa! Children pick up these things so easily and advance quickly with them.

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  6. I'm glad you are enjoying having an Alexa. I've seen videos of parrots commanding it to switch lights on and off, so it's a good thing you don't have that complicating your lives!

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    1. Oh how funny! I can just imagine what a parrot could do with it! We only have two cats and although they are curious about it they luckily can't operate it!

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  7. 10 years ago we would never have thought this possible.

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    1. There are so many things now that I feel that way about! I remember when I thought VCRs were just amazing and now they are history!

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  8. You sound very clever Bonnie! I feel that I would not know where to begin. I am sure that one day such things will be taken for granted like the telephone and we will not be able to imagine life without. Thank you for sharing, I really did find it interesting and perhaps I would not be too scared now to consider having one. xx

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    1. I am not clever at all. These things are made to be very easy to set up and use. I do think it will one day be a regular part of our lives in one form or another. I was not too sure about it at all at first but now at our stage in life I think it is fine and even helpful. xx

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  9. I know they can be useful but I don't think I would want one. I take the view that to stop doing something for yourself is only a small step from losing the ability to do it for yourself.

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    1. I know just what you are saying and at first I felt the same way. I hope to remain very aware that it does not prevent me from doing most things on my own. The things we are using it for are convenient and fun but that's about all. It does help Tom with his hearing when he is in another room as he can adjust the volume on it.

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  10. We got Alexa a few years ago because they were promoting an app that you could call for help if needed. Alexa would get in touch with the #s you set up. Thankfully we have never had to use it. I like that she plays my music and tells me that an Amazon package is outside my door and turns my lights on and off. She is also full of useful and not useful information. However, she is listening; I have no doubt about it. If we are in the room where she is placed and have a conversation about something, an ad often will appear on my FB page or I will get an email relating to what was said. This has happened over and over and it is not a coincidence. Also, do not put it in the room where you watch TV. She will respond when the name Alexa or something similar is said.

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    1. You brought up an important ability of Alexa - getting help if you need it and can not get to a phone. I have not yet set ours up with phone numbers but I plan on it. It is good to know you can call out to Alexa and contact someone for help in an emergency.

      I love using her for music as it is so easy and there is an endless variety of music. Many of the other skills are helpful and also just fun. We have discovered that we have to be careful about saying her name if we don't want to use her as she responds very quickly!

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  11. Nice to hear you are having fun with your new device. We have Google devices and the kids love talking to Google. It also streams our photos and that is what me and Mrs. Shife enjoy the most.

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    1. I bet the kids do have fun with it! I love anything that streams photos!

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  12. I vote for busy and out of their hair. I have two children myself.

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  13. I had thought I would never want one, but you make it sound like it might be fun.

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    1. I think it's a personal decision as everyone has different opinions about it. It is not a necessity but it is helpful and can be fun. There is way more that it will do than I have learned yet but I'm in no rush. Personally it is worth it to me just for listening to music.

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  14. Hahahahaha! Thanks for the laugh, Bonnie!

    I can imagine Remy and Shama if Alexa joined our very small household...small living area. Already they are on high alert if there is knocking or a doorbell ringing on TV during a series I'm (we) watching! :)

    Take good care you two...oops...you three! :)

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    1. Ha! Yes, our cats are very aware of everything and of course their hearing is excellent. Zeus does not pay much attention to Alexa but Sophie really wants to find that lady!

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  15. No one mentioned using Alexa as a timer which I do all the time. Daughter is always saying Alexa can do that for you, Mom.

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    1. Hi, thanks for dropping in! You are right - Alexa is a perfect timer. I have used it a few times to remind me when it is time to do something. Alexa is still so new to us that we are learning all she can do. I also need to get in the habit of using Alexa for some of the many things she can do! I love hearing what others use her for as it helps me to discover new skills.

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  16. We don't have Alexa, but we do have Google. We have the larger one in the kitchen and the smaller in my sewing/craft room. I wouldn't mind another in our bedroom.

    I usually get them to tell me at least three jokes a day (mostly the groaner type) and play music while I am doing the dishes or sewing.

    God bless.

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    1. Hi Jackie, welcome! I've heard a lot about the Google speaker and it sounds like it and Alexa are similar. I ask Alexa for jokes sometimes too and they are usually the groaner types as well. I would like to get a speaker in the bedroom too, mainly for music but I imagine it could be used as an alarm to wake you too. It seems like more people have these smart speakers than I first thought. I love hearing from others with them as it is fun to hear about all the different uses. Thanks for stopping by Jackie!

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  17. Neither of us wants Alexa in our house. It’s bad enough to have Siri ( which we don’t use) on the cell phone. It’s interesting to hear your comments though. We may at some future point be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century!

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    1. As I said this was a gift and I must admit we have enjoyed it. I used to say I would never have one but now I'm glad I do. I've always enjoyed gadgetry and this fits in that category!

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  18. You are never too old to play with toys... Sounds like an advert you might see in the window of a sex shop! As Tom has a boyish sense of humour, why doesn't he ask Alexa to miaow like a cat. That will drive Sophie crazy!

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    1. Actually YP, Alexa does meow like a cat!

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    2. Glad to hear she doesn't miaow/meow like a dog!

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  19. Sounds like you are enjoying your new toy! Good for you!

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    1. We have had some fun with it and we are learning where it is helpful.

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I would love to hear from you!