Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-12 Thread Dane Trethowan
Ah.. interesting idea.
There are of course third party devices appearing that will be compatible with 
both Home and Echo infra structures.

> On 13 May 2017, at 12:49 am, Gary Schindler <garys5...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> what I'm suggesting is that a second generation of the home will have a small 
> camera built into the speaker itself so persons can do video calling and see 
> one another on the 4-K screen for example. You may do what amazon calls drop 
> in. so people can check in on Grandma and so forth!
> 
> I should have clarified what I meant a little better.
> 
> -Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan
> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 9:02 AM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature
> 
> The Home does that already if you have a compatible Cast TV, most of the 
> modern TV’S have Cast compatibility.
> For example you might say to home, “Watch Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire 
> From Netflix on Lounge”, Lounge being the name you’ve given your TV.
> 
>> On 12 May 2017, at 10:59 pm, Gary Schindler <garys5...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> It is my guess that you will be able to cast to your tv with the Googgle 
>> Home so they won't need a screen on the device itself or the chrome cast 
>> device will have a camera in it for the video calls.
>> 
>> 
>> -Original Message----- From: Dane Trethowan
>> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 4:08 AM
>> To: PC Audio Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature
>> 
>> I'm sure Google will release a similar feature for their Home device
>> before long.
>> 
>> Google will probably want to integrate something like this with the
>> Hangouts App.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 12/05/2017 9:37 AM, Kenny wrote:
>>> Very nice review by you. I'll definitely keep this email for future 
>>> reference if I do decide to buy this item.
>>> 
>>> At 03:03 PM 5/11/2017, you wrote:
>>>> Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the 
>>>> IOS Alexa app!
>>>> 
>>>> The setup was pretty straight forward.
>>>> 
>>>> You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed 
>>>> to the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using 
>>>> to receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or 
>>>> IOS.
>>>> 
>>>> When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. 
>>>> once you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you 
>>>> are taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use 
>>>> the microphone and so on.
>>>> 
>>>> Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
>>>> contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.
>>>> 
>>>> Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa 
>>>> call so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app 
>>>> on there phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the 
>>>> app and enable the calling feature. I would think they had better have an 
>>>> Amazon account though!
>>>> 
>>>> Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
>>>> contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
>>>> doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down 
>>>> the phone or anything. you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The 
>>>> only way I got voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa 
>>>> devices. The phone vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and 
>>>> I could answer or decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa 
>>>> devices to make calls.
>>>> 
>>>> When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at 
>>>> hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the 
>>>> other party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there 
>>>> is no way to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you 
>>>> have no voiceover.
>>>> 
>>>> I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am 
>>>> waiting for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out 
>>>> and let all of us know how accessible it is.
>>>> 
>>>> If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the 
>>>> device is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
>>>> The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> 
>> **
>> "Live each day as if you were goiing to die tomorrow, learn each day as if 
>> you were going to live forever"
>> 
>> 
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
> 
> 
> 

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





Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-12 Thread Gary Schindler
what I'm suggesting is that a second generation of the home will have a 
small camera built into the speaker itself so persons can do video calling 
and see one another on the 4-K screen for example. You may do what amazon 
calls drop in. so people can check in on Grandma and so forth!


I should have clarified what I meant a little better.

-Original Message- 
From: Dane Trethowan

Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 9:02 AM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

The Home does that already if you have a compatible Cast TV, most of the 
modern TV’S have Cast compatibility.
For example you might say to home, “Watch Harry Potter And The Goblet Of 
Fire From Netflix on Lounge”, Lounge being the name you’ve given your TV.



On 12 May 2017, at 10:59 pm, Gary Schindler <garys5...@comcast.net> wrote:

It is my guess that you will be able to cast to your tv with the Googgle 
Home so they won't need a screen on the device itself or the chrome cast 
device will have a camera in it for the video calls.



-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 4:08 AM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

I'm sure Google will release a similar feature for their Home device
before long.

Google will probably want to integrate something like this with the
Hangouts App.



On 12/05/2017 9:37 AM, Kenny wrote:
Very nice review by you. I'll definitely keep this email for future 
reference if I do decide to buy this item.


At 03:03 PM 5/11/2017, you wrote:
Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the 
IOS Alexa app!


The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and 
proceed to the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will 
be using to receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be 
android or IOS.


When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. 
once you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and 
you are taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to 
use the microphone and so on.


Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to 
insert contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.


Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa 
call so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app 
on there phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download 
the app and enable the calling feature. I would think they had better 
have an Amazon account though!


Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for 
a contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the 
person doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t 
power down the phone or anything. you don’t have voiceover to end the 
call. The only way I got voiceover back was to call myself with one of 
my Alexa devices. The phone vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon 
ringtone and I could answer or decline my call. I think I will stick to 
using the Elexa devices to make calls.


When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device 
at hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the 
other party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there 
is no way to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you 
have no voiceover.


I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am 
waiting for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out 
and let all of us know how accessible it is.


If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the 
device is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.

The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.





--

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





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






Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-12 Thread Dane Trethowan
The Home does that already if you have a compatible Cast TV, most of the modern 
TV’S have Cast compatibility.
For example you might say to home, “Watch Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire 
From Netflix on Lounge”, Lounge being the name you’ve given your TV.

> On 12 May 2017, at 10:59 pm, Gary Schindler <garys5...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> It is my guess that you will be able to cast to your tv with the Googgle Home 
> so they won't need a screen on the device itself or the chrome cast device 
> will have a camera in it for the video calls.
> 
> 
> -Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan
> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 4:08 AM
> To: PC Audio Discussion List
> Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature
> 
> I'm sure Google will release a similar feature for their Home device
> before long.
> 
> Google will probably want to integrate something like this with the
> Hangouts App.
> 
> 
> 
> On 12/05/2017 9:37 AM, Kenny wrote:
>> Very nice review by you. I'll definitely keep this email for future 
>> reference if I do decide to buy this item.
>> 
>> At 03:03 PM 5/11/2017, you wrote:
>>> Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the 
>>> IOS Alexa app!
>>> 
>>> The setup was pretty straight forward.
>>> 
>>> You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed 
>>> to the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using to 
>>> receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or IOS.
>>> 
>>> When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. 
>>> once you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you 
>>> are taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use 
>>> the microphone and so on.
>>> 
>>> Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
>>> contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.
>>> 
>>> Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa 
>>> call so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app on 
>>> there phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the app 
>>> and enable the calling feature. I would think they had better have an 
>>> Amazon account though!
>>> 
>>> Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
>>> contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
>>> doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down 
>>> the phone or anything. you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only 
>>> way I got voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. 
>>> The phone vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could 
>>> answer or decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices 
>>> to make calls.
>>> 
>>> When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at 
>>> hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the other 
>>> party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there is no 
>>> way to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no 
>>> voiceover.
>>> 
>>> I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am 
>>> waiting for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out 
>>> and let all of us know how accessible it is.
>>> 
>>> If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the 
>>> device is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
>>> The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.
>> 
>> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> **
> "Live each day as if you were goiing to die tomorrow, learn each day as if 
> you were going to live forever"
> 
> 

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





Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-12 Thread Gary Schindler
It is my guess that you will be able to cast to your tv with the Googgle 
Home so they won't need a screen on the device itself or the chrome cast 
device will have a camera in it for the video calls.



-Original Message- 
From: Dane Trethowan

Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 4:08 AM
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

I'm sure Google will release a similar feature for their Home device
before long.

Google will probably want to integrate something like this with the
Hangouts App.



On 12/05/2017 9:37 AM, Kenny wrote:
Very nice review by you. I'll definitely keep this email for future 
reference if I do decide to buy this item.


At 03:03 PM 5/11/2017, you wrote:
Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the 
IOS Alexa app!


The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed 
to the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using 
to receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or 
IOS.


When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. 
once you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and 
you are taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to 
use the microphone and so on.


Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.


Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa 
call so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app 
on there phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the 
app and enable the calling feature. I would think they had better have an 
Amazon account though!


Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for 
a contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the 
person doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t 
power down the phone or anything. you don’t have voiceover to end the 
call. The only way I got voiceover back was to call myself with one of my 
Alexa devices. The phone vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon 
ringtone and I could answer or decline my call. I think I will stick to 
using the Elexa devices to make calls.


When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device 
at hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the 
other party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there 
is no way to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you 
have no voiceover.


I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am 
waiting for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out 
and let all of us know how accessible it is.


If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the 
device is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.

The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.





--

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





Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-12 Thread Dane Trethowan
I'm sure Google will release a similar feature for their Home device 
before long.


Google will probably want to integrate something like this with the 
Hangouts App.




On 12/05/2017 9:37 AM, Kenny wrote:
Very nice review by you. I'll definitely keep this email for future 
reference if I do decide to buy this item.


At 03:03 PM 5/11/2017, you wrote:
Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using 
the IOS Alexa app!


The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and 
proceed to the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you 
will be using to receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether 
it be android or IOS.


When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile 
phone. once you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa 
device, and you are taken to a screen where you import your contacts, 
allow Alexa to use the microphone and so on.


Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to 
insert contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.


Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, 
Elexa call so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the 
Alexa app on there phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone 
can download the app and enable the calling feature. I would think 
they had better have an Amazon account though!


Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search 
for a contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If 
the person doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You 
can’t power down the phone or anything. you don’t have voiceover 
to end the call. The only way I got voiceover back was to call myself 
with one of my Alexa devices. The phone vibrated and eventually I 
heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or decline my call. I 
think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make calls.


When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my 
device at hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I 
guess the other party you are talking to will have to end the calls, 
because there is no way to find the end call icon if you are totally 
blind because you have no voiceover.


I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am 
waiting for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes 
out and let all of us know how accessible it is.


If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on 
the device is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.

The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.





--

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




Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-11 Thread Kenny
Very nice review by you. I'll definitely keep 
this email for future reference if I do decide to buy this item.


At 03:03 PM 5/11/2017, you wrote:
Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa 
calling feature using the IOS Alexa app!


The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter 
your credentials and proceed to the setup. you 
will need to supply the phone number you will be 
using to receive and make calls on your mobile 
phone whether it be android or IOS.


When you continue you are sent a verification 
code to your mobile phone. once you are 
verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa 
device, and you are taken to a screen where you 
import your contacts, allow Alexa to use the microphone and so on.


Once this is all done, you are given a brief 
explanation of how to insert contacts to make 
calls and send messages, and so forth.


Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite 
easy to do. You say, Elexa call so and so. As 
long as the person in your contacts has the 
Alexa app on there phone, Alexa will make the 
call for you. Anyone can download the app and 
enable the calling feature. I would think they 
had better have an Amazon account though!


Making calls from the Alexa app itself is 
another matter. You search for a contact in your 
address book and tap it to make your call. If 
the person doesn’t answer,you don’t hear 
anything at all. You can’t power down the 
phone or anything.  you don’t have voiceover 
to end the call. The only way I got voiceover 
back was to call myself with one of my Alexa 
devices. The phone vibrated and eventually I 
heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or 
decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make calls.


When I called my self, the audio was quite 
clear. I then told my device at hand to hang up. 
it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess 
the other party you are talking to will have to 
end the calls, because there is no way to find 
the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no voiceover.


I think the Alexa calling and message feature 
has potential, and I am waiting for some blind 
individual to buy the Echo show when it comes 
out and let all of us know how accessible it is.


If you call yourself for testing purposes, make 
sure the volume on the device is turned down 
low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.

The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.





RE: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-11 Thread Tom Kaufman
Just as an aside, I understand that this new feature of Amazon Echo is 
available oonly on the Echo and the Dot; not aavailable on the Tap yet!
Tom Kaufman

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Merv Keck
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 3:33 PM
To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: RE: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

Hi,
There have also been a few issues with the Alexa app and voice messages not 
being carried to the recipient. We had quite a bit of trouble with that 
yesterday. Even the transcripts of the messages got lost sometimes if two 
people attempted to message one another at the exact same time.
I do think it is an excellent new feature and has great potential. We have two 
dots at each end of a 988 square foot apartment. we have been looking for a 
decent set of wireless intercoms for years. Now we just use the message or call 
feature on our Dots.
And we are considering the Shows but are concerned about accessibility or 
future loss of accessibility.
Merv

-

For all things Echo:
echoing+subscr...@groups.io


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 3:27 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

You took the words right out of my mouth, I was going to ask whether anyone had 
yet used this functionality of Alexa so thanks for letting us know your 
impressions.

Unfortunately this functionality isn't available in Australia as yet.



On 12/05/2017 5:03 AM, Gary Schindler wrote:
> Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the IOS 
> Alexa app!
>
> The setup was pretty straight forward.
>
> You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed to 
> the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using to 
> receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or IOS.
>
> When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. once 
> you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you are 
> taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use the 
> microphone and so on.
>
> Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
> contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.
>
> Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa call 
> so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app on there 
> phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the app and 
> enable the calling feature. I would think they had better have an Amazon 
> account though!
>
> Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
> contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
> doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down the phone 
> or anything.  you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only way I got 
> voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. The phone 
> vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or 
> decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make 
> calls.
>
> When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at 
> hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the other 
> party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there is no way 
> to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no 
> voiceover.
>
> I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am waiting 
> for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out and let all 
> of us know how accessible it is.
>
> If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the device 
> is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
> The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.

-- 

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







RE: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-11 Thread Merv Keck
Hi,
There have also been a few issues with the Alexa app and voice messages not 
being carried to the recipient. We had quite a bit of trouble with that 
yesterday. Even the transcripts of the messages got lost sometimes if two 
people attempted to message one another at the exact same time.
I do think it is an excellent new feature and has great potential. We have two 
dots at each end of a 988 square foot apartment. we have been looking for a 
decent set of wireless intercoms for years. Now we just use the message or call 
feature on our Dots.
And we are considering the Shows but are concerned about accessibility or 
future loss of accessibility.
Merv

-

For all things Echo:
echoing+subscr...@groups.io


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dane 
Trethowan
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 3:27 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

You took the words right out of my mouth, I was going to ask whether anyone had 
yet used this functionality of Alexa so thanks for letting us know your 
impressions.

Unfortunately this functionality isn't available in Australia as yet.



On 12/05/2017 5:03 AM, Gary Schindler wrote:
> Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the IOS 
> Alexa app!
>
> The setup was pretty straight forward.
>
> You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed to 
> the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using to 
> receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or IOS.
>
> When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. once 
> you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you are 
> taken to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use the 
> microphone and so on.
>
> Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
> contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.
>
> Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa call 
> so and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app on there 
> phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the app and 
> enable the calling feature. I would think they had better have an Amazon 
> account though!
>
> Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
> contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
> doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down the phone 
> or anything.  you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only way I got 
> voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. The phone 
> vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or 
> decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make 
> calls.
>
> When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at 
> hand to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the other 
> party you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there is no way 
> to find the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no 
> voiceover.
>
> I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am waiting 
> for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out and let all 
> of us know how accessible it is.
>
> If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the device 
> is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
> The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.

-- 

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






Re: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-11 Thread Dane Trethowan
You took the words right out of my mouth, I was going to ask whether 
anyone had yet used this functionality of Alexa so thanks for letting us 
know your impressions.


Unfortunately this functionality isn't available in Australia as yet.



On 12/05/2017 5:03 AM, Gary Schindler wrote:

Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the IOS 
Alexa app!

The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed to 
the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using to 
receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or IOS.

When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. once 
you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you are taken 
to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use the microphone 
and so on.

Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.

Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa call so 
and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app on there 
phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the app and enable 
the calling feature. I would think they had better have an Amazon account 
though!

Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down the phone 
or anything.  you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only way I got 
voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. The phone 
vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or 
decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make calls.

When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at hand 
to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the other party 
you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there is no way to find 
the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no voiceover.

I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am waiting 
for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out and let all of 
us know how accessible it is.

If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the device 
is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.


--

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




RE: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-11 Thread Merv Keck
I keep hoping someone evaluates the Echo show for accessibility while the buy 
two get $100 off the second one is still available at amazon. We have been 
discussing the show and the calling feature for a few days now and other than 
quite a few YouTube demonstrations by sighted reviewers we have not seen any 
thing as to the accessibility of the touch screen.
Merv

-

For all things related to the Echo:
echoing+subscr...@groups.io


-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Gary 
Schindler
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 3:03 PM
To: PC Audio Discussion List <pc-audio@pc-audio.org>
Subject: First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the IOS 
Alexa app!

The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed to 
the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using to 
receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or IOS.

When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. once 
you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you are taken 
to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use the microphone 
and so on.

Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.

Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa call so 
and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app on there 
phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the app and enable 
the calling feature. I would think they had better have an Amazon account 
though!

Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down the phone 
or anything.  you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only way I got 
voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. The phone 
vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or 
decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make calls.

When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at hand 
to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the other party 
you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there is no way to find 
the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no voiceover. 

I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am waiting 
for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out and let all of 
us know how accessible it is.

If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the device 
is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.




First impressions of the Alexa calling feature

2017-05-11 Thread Gary Schindler
Here are my First impressions of the new Alexa calling feature using the IOS 
Alexa app!

The setup was pretty straight forward.

You are asked to sign into the app and enter your credentials and proceed to 
the setup. you will need to supply the phone number you will be using to 
receive and make calls on your mobile phone whether it be android or IOS.

When you continue you are sent a verification code to your mobile phone. once 
you are verified, you will here a chime on your Alexa device, and you are taken 
to a screen where you import your contacts, allow Alexa to use the microphone 
and so on.

Once this is all done, you are given a brief explanation of how to insert 
contacts to make calls and send messages, and so forth.

Making calls from the Alexa devices is quite easy to do. You say, Elexa call so 
and so. As long as the person in your contacts has the Alexa app on there 
phone, Alexa will make the call for you. Anyone can download the app and enable 
the calling feature. I would think they had better have an Amazon account 
though!

Making calls from the Alexa app itself is another matter. You search for a 
contact in your address book and tap it to make your call. If the person 
doesn’t answer,you don’t hear anything at all. You can’t power down the phone 
or anything.  you don’t have voiceover to end the call. The only way I got 
voiceover back was to call myself with one of my Alexa devices. The phone 
vibrated and eventually I heard the Amazon ringtone and I could answer or 
decline my call. I think I will stick to using the Elexa devices to make calls.

When I called my self, the audio was quite clear. I then told my device at hand 
to hang up. it did and my phone when back to normal. I guess the other party 
you are talking to will have to end the calls, because there is no way to find 
the end call icon if you are totally blind because you have no voiceover. 

I think the Alexa calling and message feature has potential, and I am waiting 
for some blind individual to buy the Echo show when it comes out and let all of 
us know how accessible it is.

If you call yourself for testing purposes, make sure the volume on the device 
is turned down low, or you will have ear splitting feedback.
The calls don’t show up in your IOS calls either.