Stavertongirl 1,719 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 I am thinking about getting an Alexa, watching the price on Amazon to see when the best price is. I just wondered if anyone has one and what they think. Also which is best the full size or the small dot. The reviews are very mixed, some saying they are brilliant and others saying they are rubbish. I would mostly use it for audible books and my podcasts, with some music if I can get it for free. Any comments would be appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Pianoman 1,535 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 I have just bought a Nextbase Dashcam that has Alexa. Not installed it yet but will post how I get on with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Enigma. 1,533 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 https://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-which-should-you-buy https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/digital-home/best-amazon-echo-3686868/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 I have a relative with one. Thought it OK but the novelty soon palled and she had to put it back in the box after her 5 year old learnt how to use it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stavertongirl 1,719 Posted June 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 Thanks Enigma that has been very helpful. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 I’ve got the 2nd Generation Alexa SG. It’s ok for what I want ...... as a change from watching tv or listening to the radio in the kitchen. I often ask ‘her’ to play songs from certain of my favourite artists and she keeps going until you tell her to stop. When round at a friend’s house we’ve played a music quiz but don’t do very well as we’re playing against people in the USA and it seems to be directed at American artists. Now and again she’ll just spout out something randomly which can startle as the word ‘Alexa’ hasn’t even been said (you have to say “Alexa” to activate it every time). I don’t use it that often but for the price it’s good value. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 My brother in law is named Alex, and every time he visits , and we're in the kitchen, and someone mentions his name, the bleddy thing comes on ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,600 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 My granddaughter has one in her bedroom and she says it sometimes speaks to her in the middle of the night when she. hasn't said "Alexa'. Mind you this is from someone who still believes in Santa and the tooth fairy, so I'm not sure whether she just has an overactive imagination... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 1 hour ago, MargieH said: Mind you this is from someone who still believes in Santa and the tooth fairy, so I'm not sure whether she just has an overactive imagination... What do you mean STILL believes, what are you trying to tell us Margie..? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stavertongirl 1,719 Posted June 16, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 When one of my relatives got one 4 hours ago, MargieH said: My granddaughter has one in her bedroom and she says it sometimes speaks to her in the middle of the night when she. hasn't said "Alexa'. One of my relatives has one downstairs, she said she heard hers talking in the middle of the night a couple of times, perhaps they get lonely? She also put the guard dog thingy on it, only problem was she couldn’t get it to stop and every so often had what sounded like 5 different dogs barking. She googled it and found there were a lot of people in the same situation, took her ages to get it to stop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,507 Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 Didn’t know you could tell Alexa to bark, must try it. It only needs turning off at the socket to shut her up though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 I regularly tell Alexa to 'Go forth and multiply', but every time I look, there's still only one there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoffrey Dennis 124 Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 Had a vision of one of those Ginger Beer cultures of years ago, which you could divide and give away, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,872 Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 If you don't like Alexa, they've just introduced a male version............ It doesn't listen to a single word you say. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stavertongirl 1,719 Posted October 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 Don’t need a male version mine plays me things she thinks I want not what I ask for sometimes. For example, me - “Alexa play the latest episode of true crime all the time”. Alexa - “To answer your question of why butterfly wings are coloured”. Me - “Alexa no play the latest episode of true crime all the time”. Alexa - This podcast contains adult content which some may find upsetting”. Me - “Alexa play the latest episode of true crime all the time”. Alexa - “Sorry I don’t know that”. At which point she switches off and I listen on my iPad, at least that doesn’t answer back! 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,417 Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 2 hours ago, denshaw said: If you don't like Alexa, they've just introduced a male version............ It doesn't listen to a single word you say. Which is apparently better than the female version who, according to SG, listens carefully to your request, takes it under advisement then totally ignores you and does as she pleases. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 I can't even grasp the concept of how the whole thing works. Maybe I'm safer in my ignorance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 Our Alexa doesn't understand 'go screw yourself' or something similar. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted October 6, 2019 Report Share Posted October 6, 2019 No, but I bet it understands and reports, other things you might say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 There is a French version of Alexa now. I tried one the other day. Completely useless! I speak French with a very slight English accent but it wouldn't understand me. I speak English with a marked french accent - it wouldn't understand me. Considering all the horror stories associated with this device (here and elsewhere), I think my timewith Alexa is over. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mercurydancer 1,104 Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 I use Aexa every day, it is wonderful if you use it right. My wife has a marked Russian accent but Alexa can understand that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 491 Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 Alexa isn't very good with Scottish accents, apparently; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKiObL40gjo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjhQonUaeik Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,143 Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 I've got a Scottish neighbour and I can't understand a word she says either ! No chance for Alexa. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stavertongirl 1,719 Posted October 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2019 I sometimes play one of the games on Alexa while I am having my breakfast. She sometimes suggests other games. I found hide and seek sounded a bit intriguing so tried that. She asked where am I, I pointed and replied are you there. Answer no. Once again where am I, this time I just said are you there without pointing and got the reply that she couldn’t see me! I swiftly shut her off. Bit spooky that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,895 Posted October 8, 2019 Report Share Posted October 8, 2019 Last sunday we had a lot of fun with grandchildren and Alexa. Of course being kids they asked all sorts of silly questions and listened or cancelled their favourite songs. Then my grand daughter said "Alexa, come si dice IL GATTO NEL CARBONE IN TEDESCO" ( how do you say the cat in the coal in german) Well the answer left us speechless. The reply was or sounded like ( i dont speak german) "catz in cool.". Translated In italian was "cazzo nel culo" I'll leave you to translate into english. She had heard it at school. It was funny but not from a child. I also speak italian with a slight english accent so Alexa doesn't always understand and i have to repeat. Its setup in italian and until i get another phone there are things i cant do as my phone ( iphone 5 ) cant download the Alexa app. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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