[Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Show / Fire TV + Fire TV Stick – 2017 Model

[Gordon Smith]

Hi Rick

Most interesting, thanks. Obviously what I was told isn’t quite correct. Amazon 
UK told me that the Show’s configuration wasn’t accessible, as it uses the same 
visual interface as the new Fire TV. The latter is definitely not configurable 
as a blind person. I own one of these pendants, as they now are called, and as 
I say, you have to use the Voice Remote to set the options up. You can turn on 
VoiceView in the accessibility preferences from which point you have direct 
access to all features. But you can’t do this until the device is 
network-enabled. The reason for this is that the device needs to download the 
firmware and apps appropriate for your country before it starts working 
properly.

But it may change my mind abut buying an Echo Show now that I know that the 
information I was given when I had a look at one of the devices was not valid. 
I shall also advise Amazon accordingly.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 4 Dec 2017, at 18:03, Rick Alfaro <rick.alf...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sorry, correction on my Echo show description of the buttons. The camera/mic 
button is the first button on the left, not the right like I mistakenly said in 
my message. The buttons from left to right are Camera/Mic, Volume down, and 
Volume up.



-Original Message-
From: Rick Alfaro [mailto:rick.alf...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2017 12:40 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Show / Fire TV + Fire TV 
Stick – 2017 Model

Hi Gordon.

Regarding the Echo show, you can enable VoiceView to configure everything 
yourself as a blind user. There are 3 buttons going across the top of the Show. 
The first one on the right is the button to toggle the camera and mic on /off. 
The other 2 buttons are volume down and volume up respectively. To enable 
VoiceView you press and hold the camera/mic button until you hear a beep at 
which point you have to place 2 fingers slightly apart on the screen and you 
will hear VoiceView be enabled. From there on, it's just like using VoiceView 
on one of the amazon tablets. The Echo Show is really quite accessible once you 
enable the screen reader. If you Google "VoiceView on Echo Show" you will get a 
result link pointing you to all of the gestures that are useable on the Show. 
HTH



-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2017 7:34 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Show / Fire TV + Fire TV Stick – 2017 Model

Good afternoon everybody

Today I’ve had the opportunity to play with both the new Fire TV Pendant, and 
also an Echo Show. The Fire TV belongs to yours truly, and the Echo Show to a 
neighbour who asked me to set it up for her.

In the event, it was a bit of an anticlimax. For reasons best known only unto 
themselves, Amazon’s latest devices which are capable of playing video content 
cannot be set up via the Alexa app, as can previous devices. Instead, you have 
to use an on-screen menu system, (touch screen, in the case of the Show). There 
is no other way to configure your WiFi settings.

The Echo Show, once set up, works very similarly to the previous Echo and the 
current Echo and Echo Plus series. For example, Have not yet discovered how, or 
even if, you can turn on two-way Alexa responses, as you can with the previous 
version of the Fire TV stick. I set up the Echo Show, played around with it for 
a few minutes, then left her to learn how to drive it via video. You can speak 
to it, but it doesn’t always respond in kind. Instead, it seems to pop up video 
messages which, for a blind person, is pretty damned hopeless. I am very glad 
that I reverted my previous decision to buy one.

The Fire TV is something which, again, cannot be configured via the Alexa app. 
Nor is there any other way of accomplishing this than with the Voice Remote. 
You need to be able to see the thing in order to scroll down to the required 
network, and enter the password. Once that is done, you have a few minutes to 
wait while the device downloads and installs country-specific firmware.

I still need to play around with it further to establish how useable it will 
be. If all else fails, I still have my old Fire TV stick. So I can soon swap 
them back.

More as I discover it.



My compliments 

[Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Show / Fire TV + Fire TV Stick – 2017 Model

[Rick Alfaro]

Sorry, correction on my Echo show description of the buttons. The camera/mic 
button is the first button on the left, not the right like I mistakenly said in 
my message. The buttons from left to right are Camera/Mic, Volume down, and 
Volume up.



-Original Message-
From: Rick Alfaro [mailto:rick.alf...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2017 12:40 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Show / Fire TV + Fire TV 
Stick – 2017 Model

Hi Gordon.

Regarding the Echo show, you can enable VoiceView to configure everything 
yourself as a blind user. There are 3 buttons going across the top of the Show. 
The first one on the right is the button to toggle the camera and mic on /off. 
The other 2 buttons are volume down and volume up respectively. To enable 
VoiceView you press and hold the camera/mic button until you hear a beep at 
which point you have to place 2 fingers slightly apart on the screen and you 
will hear VoiceView be enabled. From there on, it's just like using VoiceView 
on one of the amazon tablets. The Echo Show is really quite accessible once you 
enable the screen reader. If you Google "VoiceView on Echo Show" you will get a 
result link pointing you to all of the gestures that are useable on the Show. 
HTH



-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2017 7:34 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Show / Fire TV + Fire TV Stick – 2017 Model

Good afternoon everybody

Today I’ve had the opportunity to play with both the new Fire TV Pendant, and 
also an Echo Show. The Fire TV belongs to yours truly, and the Echo Show to a 
neighbour who asked me to set it up for her.

In the event, it was a bit of an anticlimax. For reasons best known only unto 
themselves, Amazon’s latest devices which are capable of playing video content 
cannot be set up via the Alexa app, as can previous devices. Instead, you have 
to use an on-screen menu system, (touch screen, in the case of the Show). There 
is no other way to configure your WiFi settings.

The Echo Show, once set up, works very similarly to the previous Echo and the 
current Echo and Echo Plus series. For example, Have not yet discovered how, or 
even if, you can turn on two-way Alexa responses, as you can with the previous 
version of the Fire TV stick. I set up the Echo Show, played around with it for 
a few minutes, then left her to learn how to drive it via video. You can speak 
to it, but it doesn’t always respond in kind. Instead, it seems to pop up video 
messages which, for a blind person, is pretty damned hopeless. I am very glad 
that I reverted my previous decision to buy one.

The Fire TV is something which, again, cannot be configured via the Alexa app. 
Nor is there any other way of accomplishing this than with the Voice Remote. 
You need to be able to see the thing in order to scroll down to the required 
network, and enter the password. Once that is done, you have a few minutes to 
wait while the device downloads and installs country-specific firmware.

I still need to play around with it further to establish how useable it will 
be. If all else fails, I still have my old Fire TV stick. So I can soon swap 
them back.

More as I discover it.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493











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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Versus Echo+

[Gordon Smith]

Another subtle difference I forgot to mention is that the Plus has a line 
output, whereas the Echo does not. I’m off to look for a battery base actually, 
similar to the ones I have for the Echo and for the Dot.

I’m quite surprised that Amazon haven’t yet established a presence over there. 
I would have thought that there is quite a market.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 14 Nov 2017, at 21:16, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

Interesting.

I've decided to hold back on any further Amazon Echo purchases until Amazon 
officially start their services in Australia, that won't be too much longer in 
coming.



On 11/15/2017 7:39 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
> Just to clarify. I said that the audio hasn’t changed much. Not   true. 
> My error, when writing the message I posted a few moments ago, was that I 
> forgot that I’d tried them both in the same room conditions previously, and 
> noticed the difference. On my last test, I had them in totally separate 
> rooms, which moves the goal posts. As I said below, the speakers have indeed 
> been upgraded.
> 
> Regarding the Echo Show, I think that there are probably better ways of 
> accomplishing an upgrade, without losing accessibility. Several manufacturers 
> are now producing speaker products with Alexa built-in. So look around before 
> buying an Echo Show.
> 
> 
> 
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon Smith:
> >
> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
> 
> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
> 
>   Contact:
> 
> • UK Free Phone:
> 0800 8620538
> • UK Geographic / Global:
> +44(0) 1642 688095
> • UK Mobile/SMS:
> +44 (0)7804 983849
> • Vic. Australia:
> +61 38 82059300
> • US/Canada:
> +1 646 9151493
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 10 Nov 2017, at 10:00, Kulvinder Singh Bhogal  > wrote:
> 
> Hi there Gordon
> 
> Thanks for the review.  
> 
> you have just helped me decide against getting the Show since it isn’t going 
> to be all that useful to me.
> 
> Thanks again and keep it coming sur.
> 
> Regards.
> 
> Kulvinder Bhogal
> E-mail: kbhog...@btinternet.com 
> Facetime: kulvinder.bho...@techie.com 
> Skypename: bobba2006
> 
>> On 9 Nov 2017, at 18:10, Gordon Smith > > wrote:
>> 
>> Hello everybody
>> 
>> Yesterday I took delivery of my new Echo+, which has relegated the previous 
>> generation Echo to my bedside table, and my Echo Dot too my studio. Both 
>> will still be used a lot, so I’m not worried about that.
>> 
>> Downstairs, here in the lounge, the Echo+ now sits beside my multimedia 
>> equipment. So here are my initial impressions of the Echo+.
>> 
>> If you got your hands on an Echo+, and sat it beside an Echo, you wouldn’t 
>> be able to tell them apart. Not, at least, without examining the silicone 
>> sheet that they both sit upon. The power connectors are the same, but 
>> orientated at right-angles to one another. In the case of the Echo, the 
>> power connector protrudes from the back of the case, indented from the outer 
>> rim of the case. On the Echo+, the power connector is mounted on the rim of 
>> the case, and the indentation does not even exist.
>> 
>> In every other respect, the appearance of the two devices are absolutely 
>> identical.
>> 
>> Another difference is that the Echo previous generation had 7 discrete 
>> microphones. The new generation of Echo and Echo+ has 8. Tests have proven 
>> that this is quite an important addition. Even with music playing at a 
>> considerable volume, the Alexa interface can still detect your voice and 
>> comprehend your commands.
>> 
>> The processor in the new generation of Alexa-based devices has been 
>> upgraded. It now seems to be somewhat more responsive. This shows up most 
>> when you compare the new Echo and Echo+ to the second generation Echo Dot. 
>> But that doesn’t particularly worry me.
>> 
>> There are two reasons why I opted to go for the Echo+ rather than the Echo. 
>> Firstly, I’m not convinced that an upgrade, new for old, would have been 
>> particularly advantageous. The Echo+ has an 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Versus Echo+

[Dane Trethowan]

Interesting.

I've decided to hold back on any further Amazon Echo purchases until 
Amazon officially start their services in Australia, that won't be too 
much longer in coming.




On 11/15/2017 7:39 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
Just to clarify. I said that the audio hasn’t changed much. Not true. 
My error, when writing the message I posted a few moments ago, was 
that I forgot that I’d tried them both in the same room conditions 
previously, and noticed the difference. On my last test, I had them in 
totally separate rooms, which moves the goal posts. As I said below, 
the speakers have indeed been upgraded.


Regarding the Echo Show, I think that there are probably better ways 
of accomplishing an upgrade, without losing accessibility. Several 
manufacturers are now producing speaker products with Alexa built-in. 
So look around before buying an Echo Show.




My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can 
avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!


  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 10 Nov 2017, at 10:00, Kulvinder Singh Bhogal 
> wrote:


Hi there Gordon

Thanks for the review.

you have just helped me decide against getting the Show since it isn’t 
going to be all that useful to me.


Thanks again and keep it coming sur.

Regards.

Kulvinder Bhogal
E-mail: kbhog...@btinternet.com 
Facetime:kulvinder.bho...@techie.com 
Skypename: bobba2006

On 9 Nov 2017, at 18:10, Gordon Smith > wrote:


Hello everybody

Yesterday I took delivery of my new Echo+, which has relegated the 
previous generation Echo to my bedside table, and my Echo Dot too my 
studio. Both will still be used a lot, so I’m not worried about that.


Downstairs, here in the lounge, the Echo+ now sits beside my 
multimedia equipment. So here are my initial impressions of the Echo+.


If you got your hands on an Echo+, and sat it beside an Echo, you 
wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. Not, at least, without examining 
the silicone sheet that they both sit upon. The power connectors are 
the same, but orientated at right-angles to one another. In the case 
of the Echo, the power connector protrudes from the back of the case, 
indented from the outer rim of the case. On the Echo+, the power 
connector is mounted on the rim of the case, and the indentation does 
not even exist.


In every other respect, the appearance of the two devices are 
absolutely identical.


Another difference is that the Echo previous generation had 7 
discrete microphones. The new generation of Echo and Echo+ has 8. 
Tests have proven that this is quite an important addition. Even with 
music playing at a considerable volume, the Alexa interface can still 
detect your voice and comprehend your commands.


The processor in the new generation of Alexa-based devices has been 
upgraded. It now seems to be somewhat more responsive. This shows up 
most when you compare the new Echo and Echo+ to the second generation 
Echo Dot. But that doesn’t particularly worry me.


There are two reasons why I opted to go for the Echo+ rather than the 
Echo. Firstly, I’m not convinced that an upgrade, new for old, would 
have been particularly advantageous. The Echo+ has an integrated 
Smart Hub, meaning that it’s no longer necessary to “bridge” an 
external hub to support those smart devices that need a hub. Not all 
of them do, of course.


But the real reason why I upgraded was the quality of the audio. The 
speaker system has been upgraded, and the audio is now much more rich 
at the top end, and deep at the lower end of the spectrum.


Setup was a piece of cake. Because I already have an Amazon account, 
the device was pre-registered for me. All I had to do was to set up 
the WiFi, Bluetooth® and Voice Remote, the latter of which I have 
hijacked from the Echo Dot, where it never really worked too well anyway.


I’ve only had the device for just over 24 hours. But really, 
configuration was like home from home. It took me no more than 2 
minutes in the Alexa app to get the thing set the way I wanted it set.


I’m not about to start raving about how good the device is. Yes, as I 
said, there are advantages. However, unless the quality of the audio 
in the previous generation Echo really grates you, (and I can’t 
imagine why it would), and unless you are particularly in need of a 
smart hub, it’s probably not worth upgrading. In actual fact, I’m not 
really 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Versus Echo+

[Gordon Smith]

Just to clarify. I said that the audio hasn’t changed much. Not true. My error, 
when writing the message I posted a few moments ago, was that I forgot that I’d 
tried them both in the same room conditions previously, and noticed the 
difference. On my last test, I had them in totally separate rooms, which moves 
the goal posts. As I said below, the speakers have indeed been upgraded.

Regarding the Echo Show, I think that there are probably better ways of 
accomplishing an upgrade, without losing accessibility. Several manufacturers 
are now producing speaker products with Alexa built-in. So look around before 
buying an Echo Show.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!

  Contact:

• UK Free Phone:
0800 8620538
• UK Geographic / Global:
+44(0) 1642 688095
• UK Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7804 983849
• Vic. Australia:
+61 38 82059300
• US/Canada:
+1 646 9151493










On 10 Nov 2017, at 10:00, Kulvinder Singh Bhogal  
wrote:

Hi there Gordon

Thanks for the review.  

you have just helped me decide against getting the Show since it isn’t going to 
be all that useful to me.

Thanks again and keep it coming sur.

Regards.

Kulvinder Bhogal
E-mail: kbhog...@btinternet.com 
Facetime: kulvinder.bho...@techie.com 
Skypename: bobba2006

> On 9 Nov 2017, at 18:10, Gordon Smith  > wrote:
> 
> Hello everybody
> 
> Yesterday I took delivery of my new Echo+, which has relegated the previous 
> generation Echo to my bedside table, and my Echo Dot too my studio. Both will 
> still be used a lot, so I’m not worried about that.
> 
> Downstairs, here in the lounge, the Echo+ now sits beside my multimedia 
> equipment. So here are my initial impressions of the Echo+.
> 
> If you got your hands on an Echo+, and sat it beside an Echo, you wouldn’t be 
> able to tell them apart. Not, at least, without examining the silicone sheet 
> that they both sit upon. The power connectors are the same, but orientated at 
> right-angles to one another. In the case of the Echo, the power connector 
> protrudes from the back of the case, indented from the outer rim of the case. 
> On the Echo+, the power connector is mounted on the rim of the case, and the 
> indentation does not even exist.
> 
> In every other respect, the appearance of the two devices are absolutely 
> identical.
> 
> Another difference is that the Echo previous generation had 7 discrete 
> microphones. The new generation of Echo and Echo+ has 8. Tests have proven 
> that this is quite an important addition. Even with music playing at a 
> considerable volume, the Alexa interface can still detect your voice and 
> comprehend your commands.
> 
> The processor in the new generation of Alexa-based devices has been upgraded. 
> It now seems to be somewhat more responsive. This shows up most when you 
> compare the new Echo and Echo+ to the second generation Echo Dot. But that 
> doesn’t particularly worry me.
> 
> There are two reasons why I opted to go for the Echo+ rather than the Echo. 
> Firstly, I’m not convinced that an upgrade, new for old, would have been 
> particularly advantageous. The Echo+ has an integrated Smart Hub, meaning 
> that it’s no longer necessary to “bridge” an external hub to support those 
> smart devices that need a hub. Not all of them do, of course.
> 
> But the real reason why I upgraded was the quality of the audio. The speaker 
> system has been upgraded, and the audio is now much more rich at the top end, 
> and deep at the lower end of the spectrum.
> 
> Setup was a piece of cake. Because I already have an Amazon account, the 
> device was pre-registered for me. All I had to do was to set up the WiFi, 
> Bluetooth® and Voice Remote, the latter of which I have hijacked from the 
> Echo Dot, where it never really worked too well anyway.
> 
> I’ve only had the device for just over 24 hours. But really, configuration 
> was like home from home. It took me no more than 2 minutes in the Alexa app 
> to get the thing set the way I wanted it set.
> 
> I’m not about to start raving about how good the device is. Yes, as I said, 
> there are advantages. However, unless the quality of the audio in the 
> previous generation Echo really grates you, (and I can’t imagine why it 
> would), and unless you are particularly in need of a smart hub, it’s probably 
> not worth upgrading. In actual fact, I’m not really sure why Amazon bothered 
> with the Echo upgrade. As in the Echo, not the Echo+. Upgrading from the 
> previous generation Echo which, I think, was the second generation to the 
> current 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo Versus Echo+

[Kulvinder Singh Bhogal]

Hi there Gordon

Thanks for the review.  

you have just helped me decide against getting the Show since it isn’t going to 
be all that useful to me.

Thanks again and keep it coming sur.

Regards.

Kulvinder Bhogal
E-mail: kbhog...@btinternet.com
Facetime: kulvinder.bho...@techie.com 
Skypename: bobba2006

> On 9 Nov 2017, at 18:10, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Hello everybody
> 
> Yesterday I took delivery of my new Echo+, which has relegated the previous 
> generation Echo to my bedside table, and my Echo Dot too my studio. Both will 
> still be used a lot, so I’m not worried about that.
> 
> Downstairs, here in the lounge, the Echo+ now sits beside my multimedia 
> equipment. So here are my initial impressions of the Echo+.
> 
> If you got your hands on an Echo+, and sat it beside an Echo, you wouldn’t be 
> able to tell them apart. Not, at least, without examining the silicone sheet 
> that they both sit upon. The power connectors are the same, but orientated at 
> right-angles to one another. In the case of the Echo, the power connector 
> protrudes from the back of the case, indented from the outer rim of the case. 
> On the Echo+, the power connector is mounted on the rim of the case, and the 
> indentation does not even exist.
> 
> In every other respect, the appearance of the two devices are absolutely 
> identical.
> 
> Another difference is that the Echo previous generation had 7 discrete 
> microphones. The new generation of Echo and Echo+ has 8. Tests have proven 
> that this is quite an important addition. Even with music playing at a 
> considerable volume, the Alexa interface can still detect your voice and 
> comprehend your commands.
> 
> The processor in the new generation of Alexa-based devices has been upgraded. 
> It now seems to be somewhat more responsive. This shows up most when you 
> compare the new Echo and Echo+ to the second generation Echo Dot. But that 
> doesn’t particularly worry me.
> 
> There are two reasons why I opted to go for the Echo+ rather than the Echo. 
> Firstly, I’m not convinced that an upgrade, new for old, would have been 
> particularly advantageous. The Echo+ has an integrated Smart Hub, meaning 
> that it’s no longer necessary to “bridge” an external hub to support those 
> smart devices that need a hub. Not all of them do, of course.
> 
> But the real reason why I upgraded was the quality of the audio. The speaker 
> system has been upgraded, and the audio is now much more rich at the top end, 
> and deep at the lower end of the spectrum.
> 
> Setup was a piece of cake. Because I already have an Amazon account, the 
> device was pre-registered for me. All I had to do was to set up the WiFi, 
> Bluetooth® and Voice Remote, the latter of which I have hijacked from the 
> Echo Dot, where it never really worked too well anyway.
> 
> I’ve only had the device for just over 24 hours. But really, configuration 
> was like home from home. It took me no more than 2 minutes in the Alexa app 
> to get the thing set the way I wanted it set.
> 
> I’m not about to start raving about how good the device is. Yes, as I said, 
> there are advantages. However, unless the quality of the audio in the 
> previous generation Echo really grates you, (and I can’t imagine why it 
> would), and unless you are particularly in need of a smart hub, it’s probably 
> not worth upgrading. In actual fact, I’m not really sure why Amazon bothered 
> with the Echo upgrade. As in the Echo, not the Echo+. Upgrading from the 
> previous generation Echo which, I think, was the second generation to the 
> current generation Echo is, to my mind, completely vacuous. I had originally 
> planned to go for an Echo Sow. But I bottled out because of the possibility 
> that some of the more used commands might have been visual. But that is 
> apparently not the case. Amazon tell me that although their quick start guide 
> discusses setup using the touch screen, it can in fact be performed using the 
> Alexa app just like any other echo.
> 
> Thereafter, the Touch screen is an optional extra. The primary use of the 
> screen is just to display video content. There is also a 5MP camera which can 
> be used for video calls and chat. The Show has twin 4.9-Inch woofers, and 
> twin side-facing tweeters which, if memory serves, are 2.6-inch. It also uses 
> ambient audio, meaning it adjusts the audio to suit the characteristics of 
> the room in which it is in use. This is one facet which it shares with the 
> Google Home Max.
> 
> Whether I decide to go for a Show at a later date is, at this time, very much 
> in the lap of the gods. But I would doubt it. I think that their are other 
> options which, were I in the market for another speaker system, I would opt 
> for in preference to the Echo Show.
> 
> Just my thoughts, for whatever they’re worth.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

Yep, easy as peazy, works the same way as "Okay Google" on my Android 
phones using the Google Now Launcher.


Unfortunately this functionality of the Amazon Echo won't be available 
in Australia for a good while yet it seems.




On 7/06/2017 4:14 AM, Stores, Mary A. wrote:

Hi Gordon,

I allowed Alexa to access contacts in the Communications tab, and then I can just say, 
"Alexa, send a message to Starman Jones." She'll ask what you want to say. You 
say it, and she records it and sends it off.

Mary


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2017 7:20 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

I must have missed out on that skill. How does the messaging app work?



My complements and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

   Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300 • US Geographic – +1 646 
9151493Mobile/S



On 2 Jun 2017, at 19:14, Stores, Mary A. <msto...@indiana.edu> wrote:

I have sent voice messages to people, and that is pretty cool. I will have to 
try the old time radio skill though. I love Fibber McGee and Molly.





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RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Stores, Mary A.]

Hi Gordon,

I already got it and can't live without it, so to speak. :) It's so much easier 
to get my news and stuff now with just my voice. 

I heard Apple is also coming out with a rival product. Life should get more 
interesting.

Mary


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2017 7:18 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

Hello Mary

I must get around to writing to you off list, time for a catch-up I guess. 
Regarding the Echo, can I suggest that you hold off for a couple of months? My 
information is that the next generation of Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Tap aren’t 
far away. I have no information as to whether the hardware design will change 
radically, but I suspect it might. It has been speculatively mentioned by 
technical professionals that the next generation of Dot will include a 
rechargeable battery base, made by a company called Lantree. They already do a 
base for the existing Echos, and it’s the one I use at the moment. If the 
speculation is accurate, (and I distance myself from it as I have no factual 
verification), but if it is, then you may find it a better option to cut your 
losses and upgrade the entire Echo Dot. Yet another example of Caveat Emptor. 
;-)




My complements and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300 • US Geographic – +1 646 
9151493Mobile/S



On 2 Jun 2017, at 19:28, Stores, Mary A. <msto...@indiana.edu> wrote:

Hi Gordon,

I hadn't thought about getting battery bases. My Dot just plugs into the wall. 
I will definitely look into that. And thanks for the link.

Mary


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2017 2:25 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

The Echo can be configured via the web as well Mary. Just go to 
http://alexa.amazon.com and sign in as usual,

I have battery bases for my Echo and Echo Dot. I also use the voice remote a 
lot. I listened in the garden to some of my favourite books yesterday and after 
5 hours of continuous use, the full size Echo on battery was still going strong.




smime.p7s
Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Stores, Mary A.]

Hi Gordon,

I allowed Alexa to access contacts in the Communications tab, and then I can 
just say, "Alexa, send a message to Starman Jones." She'll ask what you want to 
say. You say it, and she records it and sends it off.

Mary


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2017 7:20 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

I must have missed out on that skill. How does the messaging app work?



My complements and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300 • US Geographic – +1 646 
9151493Mobile/S



On 2 Jun 2017, at 19:14, Stores, Mary A. <msto...@indiana.edu> wrote:

I have sent voice messages to people, and that is pretty cool. I will have to 
try the old time radio skill though. I love Fibber McGee and Molly.





smime.p7s
Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Gordon Smith]

I must have missed out on that skill. How does the messaging app work?



My complements and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:


Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300
• US Geographic – +1 646 9151493Mobile/S



On 2 Jun 2017, at 19:14, Stores, Mary A.  wrote:

I have sent voice messages to people, and that is pretty cool. I will have to 
try the old time radio skill though. I love Fibber McGee and Molly.

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Gordon Smith]

Hello Mary

I must get around to writing to you off list, time for a catch-up I guess. 
Regarding the Echo, can I suggest that you hold off for a couple of months? My 
information is that the next generation of Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Tap aren’t 
far away. I have no information as to whether the hardware design will change 
radically, but I suspect it might. It has been speculatively mentioned by 
technical professionals that the next generation of Dot will include a 
rechargeable battery base, made by a company called Lantree. They already do a 
base for the existing Echos, and it’s the one I use at the moment. If the 
speculation is accurate, (and I distance myself from it as I have no factual 
verification), but if it is, then you may find it a better option to cut your 
losses and upgrade the entire Echo Dot. Yet another example of Caveat Emptor. 
;-)




My complements and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300
• US Geographic – +1 646 9151493Mobile/S



On 2 Jun 2017, at 19:28, Stores, Mary A. <msto...@indiana.edu> wrote:

Hi Gordon,

I hadn't thought about getting battery bases. My Dot just plugs into the wall. 
I will definitely look into that. And thanks for the link.

Mary


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2017 2:25 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

The Echo can be configured via the web as well Mary. Just go to 
http://alexa.amazon.com and sign in as usual,

I have battery bases for my Echo and Echo Dot. I also use the voice remote a 
lot. I listened in the garden to some of my favourite books yesterday and 
after 5 hours of continuous use, the full size Echo on battery was still going 
strong.

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Stores, Mary A.]

Hi Gordon,

I hadn't thought about getting battery bases. My Dot just plugs into the wall. 
I will definitely look into that. And thanks for the link.

Mary


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith [mailto:gor...@mac-access.net]
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2017 2:25 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

The Echo can be configured via the web as well Mary. Just go to 
http://alexa.amazon.com and sign in as usual,

I have battery bases for my Echo and Echo Dot. I also use the voice remote a 
lot. I listened in the garden to some of my favourite books yesterday and 
after 5 hours of continuous use, the full size Echo on battery was still going 
strong.


smime.p7s
Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Gordon Smith]

The Echo can be configured via the web as well Mary. Just go to 
http://alexa.amazon.com and sign in as usual,

I have battery bases for my Echo and Echo Dot. I also use the voice remote a 
lot. I listened in the garden to some of my favourite books yesterday and after 
5 hours of continuous use, the full size Echo on battery was still going strong.



My complements and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:


Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

  Contact:

• UK Geographic – +44(0) 1642 688095
• UKFree Phone – 0800 8620538
• UK Mobile – +44 (0) 7907 823971

• Australia Geographic – +61 38 82059300
• US Geographic – +1 646 9151493Mobile/S



On 2 Jun 2017, at 18:00, Stores, Mary A.  wrote:

Hello,
 
I just got a 2nd generation Echo Dot last Monday (this is my first Echo). I 
have to say I am really loving it. So far I hink it’s the best technology 
investment since my iPhone two years ago. 
 
It didn’t take me too long to set it up. People told me the Alexa app was going 
to suck. It is definitely not the most intuitive app ever invented, but I did 
get my Dot connected on wifi and signed up to my Amazon account. Then to amuse 
myself I went to different parts of my apartment and gave Alexa commands to see 
if she could hear me. I have a 700-square foot apartment. She could hear me in 
the kitchen, living room, and most of the hallway. My estimate is that’s about 
half my apartment’s size.
 
What I like the best is the ability for Alexa to read Kindle books. When I use 
my phone app to read them I get interrupted because of whatever other 
notifications come in. Whatever text to speech engine they are using for Alexa, 
there aren’t that many mispronounced words at all, and I think Alexa does a 
better narration than some other book narrators out there. 
 
I’ts just so much simpler to ask for things by voice also. I have at least 6 
news sources hooked into my flash briefing now with probably more to come. I’ts 
nice ot make my coffee and do my morning routine while listening to the news, 
and all because it took me 2 seconds to ask Alexa to give me the headlines.
 
Mary

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

Just amazing what those Skills turn your Echo into, Google has a similar 
idea, I think they call it Collections? I could be wrong on that.


Anyway enjoy!



On 3/06/2017 4:14 AM, Stores, Mary A. wrote:


Hi Dane,

I have sent voice messages to people, and that is pretty cool. I will 
have to try the old time radio skill though. I love Fibber McGee and 
Molly.


Mary

*From:*Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net]
*Sent:* Friday, June 02, 2017 1:45 PM
*To:* Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
*Subject:* Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

I believe that Amazon Echo, Google Home etc are going to be devices 
that help shape our future.


I was interested to read your observations on the Amazon Echo App, I 
have 3 Amazon Echo devices here, the main Echo, Dot and Tap, all of 
which had to be setup online through a web page given the Amazon App 
isn’t available for IOS in Australia through our Apps Store and to be 
frank I didn’t even check if the Android App was available so I’ll go 
and take a peak in a few minutes.


I love the way various services can integrate with Amazon and Google, 
fir instance I can tell Google or Amazon to turn various appliances on 
and off in my house.


Perhaps you might like to try some of the new Amazon Echo skills that 
allow the making and receiving of phone calls, the sending of SMS 
messages, the ability to listen to Old-Time radio Drama and so the 
list goes on.


On 3 Jun 2017, at 3:00 am, Stores, Mary A. <msto...@indiana.edu
<mailto:msto...@indiana.edu>> wrote:

Hello,

I just got a 2^nd generation Echo Dot last Monday (this is my
first Echo). I have to say I am really loving it. So far I hink
it’s the best technology investment since my iPhone two years ago.

It didn’t take me too long to set it up. People told me the Alexa
app was going to suck. It is definitely not the most intuitive app
ever invented, but I did get my Dot connected on wifi and signed
up to my Amazon account. Then to amuse myself I went to different
parts of my apartment and gave Alexa commands to see if she could
hear me. I have a 700-square foot apartment. She could hear me in
the kitchen, living room, and most of the hallway. My estimate is
that’s about half my apartment’s size.

What I like the best is the ability for Alexa to read Kindle
books. When I use my phone app to read them I get interrupted
because of whatever other notifications come in. Whatever text to
speech engine they are using for Alexa, there aren’t that many
mispronounced words at all, and I think Alexa does a better
narration than some other book narrators out there.

I’ts just so much simpler to ask for things by voice also. I have
at least 6 news sources hooked into my flash briefing now with
probably more to come. I’ts nice ot make my coffee and do my
morning routine while listening to the news, and all because it
took me 2 seconds to ask Alexa to give me the headlines.

Mary

**

Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of 
the halfwits in this world behind.




--

**
"Live each day as if you were goiing to die tomorrow, learn each day as if you were 
going to live forever"

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Stores, Mary A.]

Hi Dane,

 

I have sent voice messages to people, and that is pretty cool. I will have to 
try the old time radio skill though. I love Fibber McGee and Molly.

 

Mary

 

 

From: Dane Trethowan [mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net] 
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2017 1:45 PM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

 

I believe that Amazon Echo, Google Home etc are going to be devices that help 
shape our future.

I was interested to read your observations on the Amazon Echo App, I have 3 
Amazon Echo devices here, the main Echo, Dot and Tap, all of which had to be 
setup online through a web page given the Amazon App isn’t available for IOS in 
Australia through our Apps Store and to be frank I didn’t even check if the 
Android App was available so I’ll go and take a peak in a few minutes.

I love the way various services can integrate with Amazon and Google, fir 
instance I can tell Google or Amazon to turn various appliances on and off in 
my house.

Perhaps you might like to try some of the new Amazon Echo skills that allow the 
making and receiving of phone calls, the sending of SMS messages, the ability 
to listen to Old-Time radio Drama and so the list goes on.

 

On 3 Jun 2017, at 3:00 am, Stores, Mary A. <msto...@indiana.edu 
<mailto:msto...@indiana.edu> > wrote:

 

Hello,

 

I just got a 2nd generation Echo Dot last Monday (this is my first Echo). I 
have to say I am really loving it. So far I hink it’s the best technology 
investment since my iPhone two years ago. 

 

It didn’t take me too long to set it up. People told me the Alexa app was going 
to suck. It is definitely not the most intuitive app ever invented, but I did 
get my Dot connected on wifi and signed up to my Amazon account. Then to amuse 
myself I went to different parts of my apartment and gave Alexa commands to see 
if she could hear me. I have a 700-square foot apartment. She could hear me in 
the kitchen, living room, and most of the hallway. My estimate is that’s about 
half my apartment’s size.

 

What I like the best is the ability for Alexa to read Kindle books. When I use 
my phone app to read them I get interrupted because of whatever other 
notifications come in. Whatever text to speech engine they are using for Alexa, 
there aren’t that many mispronounced words at all, and I think Alexa does a 
better narration than some other book narrators out there. 

 

I’ts just so much simpler to ask for things by voice also. I have at least 6 
news sources hooked into my flash briefing now with probably more to come. I’ts 
nice ot make my coffee and do my morning routine while listening to the news, 
and all because it took me 2 seconds to ask Alexa to give me the headlines.

 

Mary

 

**

Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

 

 

 



smime.p7s
Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

I believe that Amazon Echo, Google Home etc are going to be devices that help 
shape our future.
I was interested to read your observations on the Amazon Echo App, I have 3 
Amazon Echo devices here, the main Echo, Dot and Tap, all of which had to be 
setup online through a web page given the Amazon App isn’t available for IOS in 
Australia through our Apps Store and to be frank I didn’t even check if the 
Android App was available so I’ll go and take a peak in a few minutes.
I love the way various services can integrate with Amazon and Google, fir 
instance I can tell Google or Amazon to turn various appliances on and off in 
my house.
Perhaps you might like to try some of the new Amazon Echo skills that allow the 
making and receiving of phone calls, the sending of SMS messages, the ability 
to listen to Old-Time radio Drama and so the list goes on.

> On 3 Jun 2017, at 3:00 am, Stores, Mary A.  wrote:
> 
> Hello,
>  
> I just got a 2nd generation Echo Dot last Monday (this is my first Echo). I 
> have to say I am really loving it. So far I hink it’s the best technology 
> investment since my iPhone two years ago. 
>  
> It didn’t take me too long to set it up. People told me the Alexa app was 
> going to suck. It is definitely not the most intuitive app ever invented, but 
> I did get my Dot connected on wifi and signed up to my Amazon account. Then 
> to amuse myself I went to different parts of my apartment and gave Alexa 
> commands to see if she could hear me. I have a 700-square foot apartment. She 
> could hear me in the kitchen, living room, and most of the hallway. My 
> estimate is that’s about half my apartment’s size.
>  
> What I like the best is the ability for Alexa to read Kindle books. When I 
> use my phone app to read them I get interrupted because of whatever other 
> notifications come in. Whatever text to speech engine they are using for 
> Alexa, there aren’t that many mispronounced words at all, and I think Alexa 
> does a better narration than some other book narrators out there. 
>  
> I’ts just so much simpler to ask for things by voice also. I have at least 6 
> news sources hooked into my flash briefing now with probably more to come. 
> I’ts nice ot make my coffee and do my morning routine while listening to the 
> news, and all because it took me 2 seconds to ask Alexa to give me the 
> headlines.
>  
> Mary

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

Interesting!

We in Australia have to modify our units to get them to work and several 
things have to be done.


The first and obvious is that the Australian IOS Apps Store doesn't sell 
the Echo App.


Then you have to fool the Echo unit itself you're living in the U.S. 
when in fact obviously your not.


But once all that's done the unit works rather well except for the 
reading of telephone numbers which I described earlier.


If anyone in Australia wants an Amazon Echo - many Australian's use them 
- then the best place to get a new one is eBay - not Amazon - as Amazon 
won't sell htem out here unless you can do a deal with a Amazon seller.




On 17/10/2016 8:10 PM, Chris Moore wrote:
The echo was launched on 27th of Sep in UK, being a prime member I 
only paid £99 and my Dot arrives this Thursday.


Sent from my iPhone

On 16 Oct 2016, at 6:49 pm, Gordon Smith > wrote:


Remember though, these options will apply to the old version. The new 
one does not hit the market until 28 October.




My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7907 823971





On 16 Oct 2016, at 18:27, Chris Moore > wrote:


I love mine, and with the help of wemo switches and ITaTT I have my 
lights automatically coming on at sunset


Sent from my iPhone

On 16 Oct 2016, at 4:25 pm, Dane Trethowan > wrote:



Hi!
I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it 
though he had to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in 
Australia.
Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we 
have 8 digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone 
numbers. -
Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a 
location with the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the obvious 
choice here.
Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, 
the Echo App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to be 
put into place.
I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time 
ago - I actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at 
the time - but now my friend can sign into his account on the web 
and control the echo from there - well most of it -.
As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos 
available right now and a review of each model was in Access World 
a couple of months ago, turns out the original echo is by far the 
best one to buy and - from the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty 
happy with that too.
Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the 
Google Home was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month 
or so back, I actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch the 
Home soon.
If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have 
an Android phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or - 
if you'd rather your Android device be shiny and new with all the 
features of Amazon Echo and Google Home Built-in - buy a Google 
Pixel smartphone.


On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Hello everybody

I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and 
tonight I placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that 
you can listen from, it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You 
add all your commands verbally, and you can now have it do quite a 
wide range of tasks for you. It’s the first step along the way 
towards a “Smart” home; read on:


Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably 
futuristic, but it's also practical and accessible. With a rapidly 
growing slate of features and integrations, it's easy to get 
excited about the Echo's potential.


*THE BAD* The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak 
bass at high volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa 
app could also benefit from better organisation.



*THE BOTTOM LINE* More than a year after its debut, the Echo is 
smarter than ever, and one of the best connected home products 
money can currently buy.



 *
Autumn 2016 update

Since introducing the original Amazon Echo in November 2014, 
Amazon has continued to refresh and expand its lineup of 
hands-free, voice-enabled speakers. In April, the company 
introduced the Echo 
Dot, which is a 
smaller version of the Echo, and in September returned with an 
updated version of the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price 
almost in half to $50(US) or £50 (UK Sterling).



This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sleeker design than the 
original, though it comes equipped with the same array of seven 
microphones and advanced noise-cancelling technology. Amazon says 
that the new Dot features a more 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

Apple stated thus at a recent launch.



On 17/10/2016 8:14 PM, Chris Moore wrote:
How do you know it will be limited to the Apple tv? It could be a 
seperate unit, it is all speculation


Sent from my iPhone

On 16 Oct 2016, at 7:25 pm, Dane Trethowan > wrote:


Hmm. will be interesting to see whether the new version is compatible 
with other countries outside the U.S.
Perhaps I’ve miss-read something but the options described in what 
you’ve posted sound remarkably similar to what is available already.
I myself have been meaning to order one - having set one up already 
I’m impressed by the performance and functionality - however there’s 
the Google Home coming and of course Apple TV will offer similar 
functionality however that will be limited to the Apple TV box itself 
and not a separate unit.


On 17 Oct. 2016, at 4:49 am, Gordon Smith > wrote:


Remember though, these options will apply to the old version. The 
new one does not hit the market until 28 October.




My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7907 823971





On 16 Oct 2016, at 18:27, Chris Moore > wrote:


I love mine, and with the help of wemo switches and ITaTT I have my 
lights automatically coming on at sunset


Sent from my iPhone

On 16 Oct 2016, at 4:25 pm, Dane Trethowan 
> wrote:



Hi!
I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it 
though he had to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in 
Australia.
Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we 
have 8 digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone 
numbers. -
Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a 
location with the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the 
obvious choice here.
Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, 
the Echo App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to 
be put into place.
I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time 
ago - I actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at 
the time - but now my friend can sign into his account on the web 
and control the echo from there - well most of it -.
As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos 
available right now and a review of each model was in Access World 
a couple of months ago, turns out the original echo is by far the 
best one to buy and - from the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty 
happy with that too.
Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the 
Google Home was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month 
or so back, I actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch 
the Home soon.
If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have 
an Android phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or 
- if you'd rather your Android device be shiny and new with all 
the features of Amazon Echo and Google Home Built-in - buy a 
Google Pixel smartphone.


On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Hello everybody

I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and 
tonight I placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that 
you can listen from, it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You 
add all your commands verbally, and you can now have it do quite 
a wide range of tasks for you. It’s the first step along the way 
towards a “Smart” home; read on:


Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably 
futuristic, but it's also practical and accessible. With a 
rapidly growing slate of features and integrations, it's easy to 
get excited about the Echo's potential.


*THE BAD* The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak 
bass at high volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa 
app could also benefit from better organisation.



*THE BOTTOM LINE* More than a year after its debut, the Echo is 
smarter than ever, and one of the best connected home products 
money can currently buy.



 *
Autumn 2016 update

Since introducing the original Amazon Echo in November 2014, 
Amazon has continued to refresh and expand its lineup of 
hands-free, voice-enabled speakers. In April, the company 
introduced the Echo 
Dot, which is a 
smaller version of the Echo, and in September returned with an 
updated version of the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price 
almost in half to $50(US) or £50 (UK Sterling).



This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sleeker design than the 
original, though it comes equipped with the same array of seven 
microphones and advanced noise-cancelling technology. Amazon says 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Chris Moore]

How do you know it will be limited to the Apple tv? It could be a seperate 
unit, it is all speculation  

Sent from my iPhone

> On 16 Oct 2016, at 7:25 pm, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Hmm. will be interesting to see whether the new version is compatible with 
> other countries outside the U.S.
> Perhaps I’ve miss-read something but the options described in what you’ve 
> posted sound remarkably similar to what is available already.
> I myself have been meaning to order one - having set one up already I’m 
> impressed by the performance and functionality - however there’s the Google 
> Home coming and of course Apple TV will offer similar functionality however 
> that will be limited to the Apple TV box itself and not a separate unit.
> 
>> On 17 Oct. 2016, at 4:49 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>> 
>> Remember though, these options will apply to the old version. The new one 
>> does not hit the market until 28 October.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My compliments and kindest regards
>> Gordon Smith:
>> 
>> 
>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
>> Mobile/SMS:
>> +44 (0)7907 823971
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On 16 Oct 2016, at 18:27, Chris Moore  wrote:
>>> 
>>> I love mine, and with the help of wemo switches and ITaTT I have my lights 
>>> automatically coming on at sunset  
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
 On 16 Oct 2016, at 4:25 pm, Dane Trethowan  
 wrote:
 
 Hi!
 I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it though he 
 had to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in Australia.
 Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we have 8 
 digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone numbers. -
 Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a location 
 with the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the obvious choice here.
 Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, the Echo 
 App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to be put into place.
 I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time ago - I 
 actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at the time - but 
 now my friend can sign into his account on the web and control the echo 
 from there - well most of it -.
 As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos available 
 right now and a review of each model was in Access World a couple of 
 months ago, turns out the original echo is by far the best one to buy and 
 - from the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty happy with that too.
 Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the Google Home 
 was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month or so back, I 
 actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch the Home soon.
 If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have an 
 Android phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or - if you'd 
 rather your Android device be shiny and new with all the features of 
 Amazon Echo and Google Home Built-in - buy a Google Pixel smartphone.
 
> On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
> Hello everybody
> 
> I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and tonight 
> I placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that you can listen 
> from, it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You add all your commands 
> verbally, and you can now have it do quite a wide range of tasks for you. 
> It’s the first step along the way towards a “Smart” home; read on:
> 
> Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably futuristic, but 
> it's also practical and accessible. With a rapidly growing slate of 
> features and integrations, it's easy to get excited about the Echo's 
> potential.
> 
> THE BAD The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak bass at 
> high volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa app could also 
> benefit from better organisation.
> 
> 
> THE BOTTOM LINE More than a year after its debut, the Echo is smarter 
> than ever, and one of the best connected home products money can 
> currently buy.
> 
> 
> Autumn 2016 update
> Since introducing the original Amazon Echo in November 2014, Amazon has 
> continued to refresh and expand its lineup of hands-free, voice-enabled 
> speakers. In April, the company introduced the Echo Dot, which is a 
> smaller version of the Echo, and in September returned with an updated 
> version of the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price almost in half to 
> $50(US) or £50 (UK Sterling).
> 
> 
> This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sleeker design than the original, 
> 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Iaen Cordell]

the current/older echo has amazing hardware, pity it it was not supported in 
Australia.
yes the tips taken from this list did help me in setting it up [my thanks to 
Dane] but in this global age international support should be a given.
IC
  - Original Message - 
  From: Dane Trethowan 
  To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net 
  Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 5:25 AM
  Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo


  Hmm. will be interesting to see whether the new version is compatible with 
other countries outside the U.S.
  Perhaps I’ve miss-read something but the options described in what you’ve 
posted sound remarkably similar to what is available already.
  I myself have been meaning to order one - having set one up already I’m 
impressed by the performance and functionality - however there’s the Google 
Home coming and of course Apple TV will offer similar functionality however 
that will be limited to the Apple TV box itself and not a separate unit.


On 17 Oct. 2016, at 4:49 am, Gordon Smith <gor...@mac-access.net> wrote:


Remember though, these options will apply to the old version. The new one 
does not hit the market until 28 October.





My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net>


Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7907 823971









  On 16 Oct 2016, at 18:27, Chris Moore <moor...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:


  I love mine, and with the help of wemo switches and ITaTT I have my 
lights automatically coming on at sunset  

  Sent from my iPhone

  On 16 Oct 2016, at 4:25 pm, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> 
wrote:


Hi!
I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it though 
he had to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in Australia.
Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we have 
8 digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone numbers. -
Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a location 
with the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the obvious choice here.
Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, the 
Echo App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to be put into place.
I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time ago - 
I actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at the time - but now 
my friend can sign into his account on the web and control the echo from there 
- well most of it -.
As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos 
available right now and a review of each model was in Access World a couple of 
months ago, turns out the original echo is by far the best one to buy and - 
from the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty happy with that too.
Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the Google 
Home was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month or so back, I 
actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch the Home soon.
If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have an 
Android phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or - if you'd 
rather your Android device be shiny and new with all the features of Amazon 
Echo and Google Home Built-in - buy a Google Pixel smartphone.


On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

  Hello everybody 


  I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and 
tonight I placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that you can listen 
from, it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You add all your commands 
verbally, and you can now have it do quite a wide range of tasks for you. It’s 
the first step along the way towards a “Smart” home; read on:


  Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably futuristic, 
but it's also practical and accessible. With a rapidly growing slate of 
features and integrations, it's easy to get excited about the Echo's potential.

  THE BAD The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak bass 
at high volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa app could also 
benefit from better organisation.



  THE BOTTOM LINE More than a year after its debut, the Echo is smarter 
than ever, and one of the best connected home products money can currently buy.


a.. Autumn 2016 updateSince introducing the original Amazon Echo in 
November 2014, Amazon has continued to refresh and expand its lineup of 
hands-free, voice-enabled speakers. In April, the company introduced the Echo 
Dot, which is a smaller version of the Echo, and in September returned with an 
updated version of the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price almost in half to 
$50(US) or £50 (UK Sterling).



  This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sle

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

Hmm. will be interesting to see whether the new version is compatible with 
other countries outside the U.S.
Perhaps I’ve miss-read something but the options described in what you’ve 
posted sound remarkably similar to what is available already.
I myself have been meaning to order one - having set one up already I’m 
impressed by the performance and functionality - however there’s the Google 
Home coming and of course Apple TV will offer similar functionality however 
that will be limited to the Apple TV box itself and not a separate unit.

> On 17 Oct. 2016, at 4:49 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Remember though, these options will apply to the old version. The new one 
> does not hit the market until 28 October.
> 
> 
> 
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon Smith:
> >
> 
> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
> Mobile/SMS:
> +44 (0)7907 823971
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On 16 Oct 2016, at 18:27, Chris Moore > > wrote:
>> 
>> I love mine, and with the help of wemo switches and ITaTT I have my lights 
>> automatically coming on at sunset  
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On 16 Oct 2016, at 4:25 pm, Dane Trethowan > > wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi!
>>> I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it though he 
>>> had to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in Australia.
>>> Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we have 8 
>>> digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone numbers. -
>>> Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a location with 
>>> the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the obvious choice here.
>>> Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, the Echo 
>>> App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to be put into place.
>>> I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time ago - 
>>> I actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at the time - but 
>>> now my friend can sign into his account on the web and control the echo 
>>> from there - well most of it -.
>>> As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos available 
>>> right now and a review of each model was in Access World a couple of months 
>>> ago, turns out the original echo is by far the best one to buy and - from 
>>> the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty happy with that too.
>>> Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the Google Home 
>>> was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month or so back, I 
>>> actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch the Home soon.
>>> If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have an 
>>> Android phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or - if you'd 
>>> rather your Android device be shiny and new with all the features of Amazon 
>>> Echo and Google Home Built-in - buy a Google Pixel smartphone.
>>> 
>>> On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
 Hello everybody
 
 I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and tonight I 
 placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that you can listen from, 
 it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You add all your commands 
 verbally, and you can now have it do quite a wide range of tasks for you. 
 It’s the first step along the way towards a “Smart” home; read on:
 
 Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably futuristic, but 
 it's also practical and accessible. With a rapidly growing slate of 
 features and integrations, it's easy to get excited about the Echo's 
 potential.
 
 THE BAD The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak bass at 
 high volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa app could also 
 benefit from better organisation.
 
 
 THE BOTTOM LINE More than a year after its debut, the Echo is smarter than 
 ever, and one of the best connected home products money can currently buy.
 
 
 Autumn 2016 update
 Since introducing the original Amazon Echo in November 2014, Amazon has 
 continued to refresh and expand its lineup of hands-free, voice-enabled 
 speakers. In April, the company introduced the Echo  
 Dot, which is a smaller 
 version of the Echo, and in September returned with an updated version of 
 the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price almost in half to $50(US) or £50 
 (UK Sterling).
 
 
 This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sleeker design than the original, though 
 it comes equipped with the same array of seven microphones and advanced 
 noise-cancelling technology. Amazon says that the new Dot features a more 
 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Gordon Smith]

Remember though, these options will apply to the old version. The new one does 
not hit the market until 28 October.



My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7907 823971





> On 16 Oct 2016, at 18:27, Chris Moore  wrote:
> 
> I love mine, and with the help of wemo switches and ITaTT I have my lights 
> automatically coming on at sunset  
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On 16 Oct 2016, at 4:25 pm, Dane Trethowan  > wrote:
> 
>> Hi!
>> I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it though he had 
>> to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in Australia.
>> Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we have 8 
>> digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone numbers. -
>> Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a location with 
>> the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the obvious choice here.
>> Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, the Echo 
>> App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to be put into place.
>> I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time ago - I 
>> actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at the time - but now 
>> my friend can sign into his account on the web and control the echo from 
>> there - well most of it -.
>> As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos available 
>> right now and a review of each model was in Access World a couple of months 
>> ago, turns out the original echo is by far the best one to buy and - from 
>> the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty happy with that too.
>> Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the Google Home 
>> was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month or so back, I 
>> actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch the Home soon.
>> If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have an Android 
>> phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or - if you'd rather 
>> your Android device be shiny and new with all the features of Amazon Echo 
>> and Google Home Built-in - buy a Google Pixel smartphone.
>> 
>> On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:
>>> Hello everybody
>>> 
>>> I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and tonight I 
>>> placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that you can listen from, 
>>> it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You add all your commands 
>>> verbally, and you can now have it do quite a wide range of tasks for you. 
>>> It’s the first step along the way towards a “Smart” home; read on:
>>> 
>>> Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably futuristic, but 
>>> it's also practical and accessible. With a rapidly growing slate of 
>>> features and integrations, it's easy to get excited about the Echo's 
>>> potential.
>>> 
>>> THE BAD The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak bass at high 
>>> volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa app could also benefit 
>>> from better organisation.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> THE BOTTOM LINE More than a year after its debut, the Echo is smarter than 
>>> ever, and one of the best connected home products money can currently buy.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Autumn 2016 update
>>> Since introducing the original Amazon Echo in November 2014, Amazon has 
>>> continued to refresh and expand its lineup of hands-free, voice-enabled 
>>> speakers. In April, the company introduced the Echo  
>>> Dot, which is a smaller 
>>> version of the Echo, and in September returned with an updated version of 
>>> the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price almost in half to $50(US) or £50 
>>> (UK Sterling).
>>> 
>>> 
>>> This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sleeker design than the original, though 
>>> it comes equipped with the same array of seven microphones and advanced 
>>> noise-cancelling technology. Amazon says that the new Dot features a more 
>>> powerful speech processor, which delivers improved far-field speech 
>>> recognition accuracy. It's currently available for preorder and will ship 
>>> on 28 October.
>>> 
>>> The original, more expensive Echo can fill a room with sound. The Dot 
>>> features much of the same functionality as the Echo, just with a less 
>>> powerful speaker and a line-out plug on the back. In April, also Amazon 
>>> introduced the $130.00 Echo Tap. Because it runs on a battery, you need to 
>>> hit a button to initiate interactions; it's less convenient than the 
>>> always-listening Echo and Dot, but it's also portable. And once you do push 
>>> the button, you can issue voice commands to Alexa, play music from your 
>>> phone or stream it over Wi-Fi, check the weather or news, 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Amazon Echo

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
I know someone who bought one and he's extremely happy with it though he 
had to do a little fiddling to have it work properly in Australia.
Even now the Echo still doesn't read phone numbers correctly - we have 8 
digit phone numbers whereas the U.S. have 7 digit phone numbers. -
Part of getting the Echo working correctly was to set it to a location 
with the same time zone as Australia, Guam was the obvious choice here.
Then the problem arose of getting the App from the IOS App store, the 
Echo App isn't available in Australia so a workaround had to be put into 
place.
I don't recall all of what had to be done now as it was some time ago - 
I actually posted all the steps required to techno-chat at the time - 
but now my friend can sign into his account on the web and control the 
echo from there - well most of it -.
As was written in the original mail, there are 3 different echos 
available right now and a review of each model was in Access World a 
couple of months ago, turns out the original echo is by far the best one 
to buy and - from the demos I've heard - I'd be pretty happy with that too.
Amazon does have competition from the Google Home device, the Google 
Home was demonstrated on the BBC Radio 4 Today show a month or so back, 
I actually heard the demo live, Google is to launch the Home soon.
If you'd rather get ahead of the Home and the Echo - and you have an 
Android phone - then you can either try the Google Allo App or - if 
you'd rather your Android device be shiny and new with all the features 
of Amazon Echo and Google Home Built-in - buy a Google Pixel smartphone.


On 15/10/2016 6:22 AM, Gordon Smith wrote:

Hello everybody

I’ve been silently watching this one for about 5 months now, and 
tonight I placed an order for one. It isn’t just a speaker that you 
can listen from, it’s a “Listener” that you can talk too. You add all 
your commands verbally, and you can now have it do quite a wide range 
of tasks for you. It’s the first step along the way towards a “Smart” 
home; read on:


Amazon's voice-activated smart home speaker is undeniably futuristic, 
but it's also practical and accessible. With a rapidly growing slate 
of features and integrations, it's easy to get excited about the 
Echo's potential.


*THE BAD* The Echo's sound quality is uneven at times, with weak bass 
at high volumes. The growing list of "Skills" in the Alexa app could 
also benefit from better organisation.



*THE BOTTOM LINE* More than a year after its debut, the Echo is 
smarter than ever, and one of the best connected home products money 
can currently buy.



 *
Autumn 2016 update

Since introducing the original Amazon Echo in November 2014, Amazon 
has continued to refresh and expand its lineup of hands-free, 
voice-enabled speakers. In April, the company introduced the Echo 
Dot, which is a 
smaller version of the Echo, and in September returned with an updated 
version of the Dot, simultaneously cutting its price almost in half to 
$50(US) or £50 (UK Sterling).



This new Echo Dot, has a slightly sleeker design than the original, 
though it comes equipped with the same array of seven microphones and 
advanced noise-cancelling technology. Amazon says that the new Dot 
features a more powerful speech processor, which delivers improved 
far-field speech recognition accuracy. It's currently available for 
preorder and will ship on 28 October.


The original, more expensive Echo can fill a room with sound. The Dot 
features much of the same functionality as the Echo, just with a less 
powerful speaker and a line-out plug on the back. In April, also 
Amazon introduced the $130.00 Echo Tap. Because it runs on a battery, 
you need to hit a button to initiate interactions; it's less 
convenient than the always-listening Echo and Dot, but it's also 
portable. And once you do push the button, you can issue voice 
commands to Alexa, play music from your phone or stream it over Wi-Fi, 
check the weather or news, and issue commands to control your smart home.



I can’t wait! I’ve ordered the full Echo, so if there’s interest I 
shall produce an extensive audio demonstration to show it off in all 
its glory.




My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
>

Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist.
Mobile/SMS:
+44 (0)7907 823971