Amazon Echo FAQ

Dr. Dre

Any fellow Irish users of this device?

It should be top of your list if you're into gadgets

paulbok

You're evil.
I'd always ignore it, but now I've looked it up and seen what it can do and now I want one.

Can it play music from a home NAS or is it only from one's Amazon music account?

Dr. Dre

No there's no playing local music at the moment, but who knows, they may release it at some stage - we never expected them to release Spotify compatibility, but they did!

Spotify works brilliantly, and I use Tunein for radio and podcasts.

I also have about a dozen sockets, light switches etc that it also controls for me.

unklerosco

Does it work out of the box here or doe you need a vpn/dns etc. Or a prime account?

Dr. Dre

Out of the box.
It won't work with prime unless you have a US prime account.
You'll need a US amazon account to link it to, that shouldn't be any great deal to setup if you don't have one.

unklerosco

Did you get yours direct from Amazon US or via eBay?

Dr. Dre

I got it on Adverts, for a real good deal :-D

I'm actually going to get another one for the living room, and one each of the new ones released yesterday, just to check them out - when I can get someone to take them back from the states some time.

Mantis Toboggan

Apart from listening to music what do you use yours for?

unklerosco

I've searched adverts/donedeal with no joy. Will get one sent to relations in the states n get it sent over.. Been wanting to try one for a while.

Dr. Dre

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Apart from listening to music what do you use yours for?

Controlling all my sockets and light switches (lightwaverf/wemo/smartthings)
You get a feature called 'Flash briefing' which you can get news roundups from various news sources (I tend to just use BBC) - so I'll ask for the news in the morning.
You can also get weather reports if you wish.
Listening to radio or my podcasts on Tunein
Listening to my music collections on Spotify
Spotify/Tunein I find great at night to doze off to a podcast or music, you can set a sleep timer so it'll stop after a half hour, or whatever.
Setting reminders/calendar appointments/alarms/to-do list
I actually use the shopping list feature too, I'll add to it whenever it think of anything and then I'll get it to email to me when I want it - eg "Alexa, put another amazon echo on my shopping list"

There are new features being added almost every week by Amazon, then there are also 'skills' (apps) being created by a growing dev community - albeit most of the skills at the moment are crap, IMO.

Biggest surprise to me with the Echo is the quality of the speech recognition, I'd put it far ahead of Google/Apple, it's quite amazing.

It actually took a bit of thought to put this list together tbh, it's just such a seamless part of my life now

Gadgetman496

Dr. Dre wrote: »

Controlling all my sockets and light switches (lightwaverf/wemo/smartthings)

How did you get it to control Lightwaverf devices?

Do you still need the Lightwaverf Link or does Echo replace it?

I use some Lightwaverf products but it would be cool to be able to control them via voice.

Dr. Dre

Ah, you still need the lwrf hub unfortunately. To be honest, it's a bit of work!

You will also need a smartthings hub, which acts as the intermediary between the echo and the lwrf hub. I've also setup a Ubuntu VM, running nodejs, to act as a sort of interpreter (for want of a better explanation) between smartthings and lwrf hub - I have a machine on 24/7 that runs various VM's for me (CCTV, media server etc etc) so it wasn't any big deal for me to spin up a dedicated VM, but like I said, a bit of work!

And all thanks to this chap here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzh5PFaCDw

Gadgetman496

Dr. Dre wrote: »

Ah, you still need the lwrf hub unfortunately. To be honest, it's a bit of work!

You will also need a smartthings hub, which acts as the intermediary between the echo and the lwrf hub. I've also setup a Ubuntu VM, running nodejs, to act as a sort of interpreter (for want of a better explanation) between smartthings and lwrf hub - I have a machine on 24/7 that runs various VM's for me (CCTV, media server etc etc) so it wasn't any big deal for me to spin up a dedicated VM, but like I said, a bit of work!

And all thanks to this chap here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzh5PFaCDw

Lightwave announced last week that they are going the IFTTT route shortly so that might make things a little easier.

IFTTT coming soon.

We are working hard to create new 'If this then that' channels. This will allow you to trigger LightwaveRF devices using third party systems via the 'IFTTT' website. We hope to have this up and running very soon, so please watch this space in the meantime for news.

_Whimsical_

I'm always a little nervous of the idea of those devices listening in on you, or someone hacking it and compromising your security in the way they do with baby webcams for instance. Is that a concern with something like this?

Dr. Dre

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

Lightwave announced last week that they are going the IFTTT route shortly so that might make things a little easier.

I've been dealing with LW for a the best part of a decade, I've learned to take all they say with a pinch of the proverbial - they have so royally f****d the marketing of their products, it's mind-bending.
IFTTT integration is something that should've happened years ago when it became a hit, a similar story I would suggest with smartthings - which looks like it could have legs.
They could/should piggy back on the success of these kinda things imo.

Dr. Dre

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

I'm always a little nervous of the idea of those devices listening in on you, or someone hacking it and compromising your security in the way they do with baby webcams for instance. Is that a concern with something like this?

Well, obviously it is in listening mode all the time, according to Amazon, when it hears the wake word it will send the previous few seconds of audio (just BEFORE the wake word) to the cloud for processing.
Me personally, I don't worry about it, online privacy is a myth tbh.

Emmo-m-

Is there anyway other than eBay to purchase one?

Also Dr.Dre you mentioned you use it with your wemo light switches. Where did you get them as I can't seem to find them anywhere online other than the US sites.

Dr. Dre

Maplin stock Wemo stuff. I'm afraid ebay is the only way at the moment, but they go for premium prices!

Gadgetman496

Dr. Dre wrote: »

I've been dealing with LW for a the best part of a decade, I've learned to take all they say with a pinch of the proverbial - they have so royally f****d the marketing of their products, it's mind-bending.
IFTTT integration is something that should've happened years ago when it became a hit, a similar story I would suggest with smartthings - which looks like it could have legs.
They could/should piggy back on the success of these kinda things imo.

The start of better things from Lightwave maybe?

IFTTT Launch
IFTTT is finally here. Today we are launching the first LightwaveRF Channel: Lighting. This allows you to control LightwaveRF dimmers, in-line dimmers and dimmable plugins using recipes from the IFTTT website. Power and heating channels, along with other LightwaveRF functions, are due to follow and will be released on a fortnightly basis.

take everything

Want to get one of these. Hearing great stuff about them.
Not signed up with Amazon for anything apart from Kindle and my Amazon shopping account. Any ideas how i'd get one.
Adverts?
Ebay?
Thanks

unklerosco

EBay is prob ur best bet. I've ordered one from Amazon US and getting it sent to family in the states to send on.. I ordered it 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't shipped... Either their production rate is low or they constantly sell out of them.

Dr. Dre

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

The start of better things from Lightwave maybe?

Perhaps! Although they did promise IFTTT integration 3/4 years ago

Anyway, I already have the other solution (as mentioned previously) which is working supremely and negates the latency associated with both IFTTT and LWRF.

Dr. Dre

unklerosco wrote: »

EBay is prob ur best bet. I've ordered one from Amazon US and getting it sent to family in the states to send on.. I ordered it 3 weeks ago and it still hasn't shipped... Either their production rate is low or they constantly sell out of them.

Yeah, I'm not sure what their game is here, but anytime they get stock, they're sold out in like a day or two. You know you can buy them at several bricks and mortar stores across the US? The likes of Staples, Best Buy etc

paulbok

Is there a dedicated home automation thread on boards? I've had a quick look and have only found different discussions across various forums, and most are old.

Gadgetman496

Dr. Dre wrote: »

Perhaps! Although they did promise IFTTT integration 3/4 years ago

Anyway, I already have the other solution (as mentioned previously) which is working supremely and negates the latency associated with both IFTTT and LWRF.

Lightwave have released their 2nd IFTT channel today for power.

So that's lights, power, with heating to follow soon.

Today we are launching another new LightwaveRF Channel – ‘Power’. This will allow you to control LightwaveRF sockets, in-line relays and plugins using IFTTT recipes. The ‘Heating’ channel, along with other LightwaveRF functions, is due to follow next.

unklerosco

Got my Echo today... have spent the last while asking it all the questions I can think of. I never knew Everest was the highest mountain but not the tallest. God bless technology!

Arbie

unklerosco wrote: »

Got my Echo today... have spent the last while asking it all the questions I can think of. I never knew Everest was the highest mountain but not the tallest. God bless technology!

Any trouble with the Irish accent?

Dr. Dre

I tend to mumble a bit, unless I'm making an effort! - I rarely have issues.
Plus I know of people all over UK, and indeed I've seen Germans and French claim to use it, in whatever English accent they have

moleyv

Anyone made one with a raspberry pi?

unklerosco

Arbie wrote: »

Any trouble with the Irish accent?

None at all..

Anyone know how you set the location on it to Dublin?

Dr. Dre

I think it was this guide I followed http://www.echotalk.org/index.php/topic,228.msg1081.html#msg1081

unklerosco

Did you manage to get it to give you local information, ie. weather etc. or just get it to give you the correct time?

I have the time sorted but it still gives me the US weather etc.

Dr. Dre

I don't believe there's a work-around for the weather, other than asking "Alexa, what's the weather in Dundalk Ireland"

Gadgetman496

Another IFTTT channel from Lightwave

New IFTTT Channel: Events

Today we are launching a new LightwaveRF Channel: Events.

Events are a list of actions that you want multiple LightwaveRF devices to take, once the IFTTT command is triggered. This then allows you to trigger LightwaveRF 'events', using recipes from the IFTTT website. The heating channel, along with other LightwaveRF functions, is due to follow next.

unklerosco

Dr. Dre wrote: »

I don't believe there's a work-around for the weather, other than asking "Alexa, what's the weather in Dundalk Ireland"

Sussed that, at least the time/alarms work now...

Found the shopping list to be one of the best features, works a treat!

Dr. Dre

unklerosco wrote: »

Sussed that, at least the time/alarms work now...

Found the shopping list to be one of the best features, works a treat!

Yeah the shopping list is deadly, if you link it to an IFTTT recipe she'll email it to you whenever you want

paulbok

Alternative to Alexa, Triby
First 3rd party hardware to integrate Alexa and is available on Amazon.co.uk for around £160 I think.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3062983/connected-home/triby-review-alexa-transforms-a-silly-gadget-into-a-family-oriented-digital-assistant.html

Might have a closer look at this if Amazon are not making their Alexa available over here

Arbie

Got an Echo last week while in US. I used it there (couldn't wait!) and the voice recognition is excellent, especially considering my thick accent and general mumbling. I'd say the people in the hotel room next door were wondering what was going on.

What converter/adapter do ye use? The only thing I can hook up involves 3 connections and looks like a fire hazard so I'm holding off until I can find a safe one.

Gadgetman496

Lightwave have today launched their heating IFTTT channel

New IFTTT Channel
Thank you to everyone who has engaged with our IFTTT channels over the past few weeks. Today we are launching a new LightwaveRF Channel: Heating. This allows you to control your LightwaveRF heating devices using recipes from the IFTTT website.

Arbie

Arbie wrote: »

Got an Echo last week while in US. I used it there (couldn't wait!) and the voice recognition is excellent, especially considering my thick accent and general mumbling. I'd say the people in the hotel room next door were wondering what was going on.

What converter/adapter do ye use? The only thing I can hook up involves 3 connections and looks like a fire hazard so I'm holding off until I can find a safe one.

Just realised the plug is 120-240v and 50/60Hz so only need an adapter.

Dr. Dre

Yeah, I'm only using an adapter. Safer than buying a UK plug off ebay or the likes.
I have two more echo's on the way to me too :-D

Stoner

Dr. Dre wrote:

You will also need a smartthings hub, which acts as the intermediary between the echo and the lwrf hub. I've also setup a Ubuntu VM, running nodejs, to act as a sort of interpreter (for want of a better explanation) between smartthings and lwrf hub - I have a machine on 24/7 that runs various VM's for me (CCTV, media server etc etc) so it wasn't any big deal for me to spin up a dedicated VM, but like I said, a bit of work!

Sorry I missed this thread we've similar on the electrical forum.

I see lightwaverf cab connect to the nest now

Gadgetman496

Stoner wrote: »

Sorry I missed this thread we've similar on the electrical forum.

I see lightwaverf cab connect to the nest now

Yes they can connect to nest now. They seem to be moving in the right direction now & at some pace too.

stuartlawler

Hi, any Echo users in Ireland know a way to localise settings, I,E, time and location switching to Ireland and not the US? I'm only after setting mine up today.

unklerosco

stuartlawler wrote: »

Hi, any Echo users in Ireland know a way to localise settings, I,E, time and location switching to Ireland and not the US? I'm only after setting mine up today.

Read back through the thread.. some links and info on how to localize some of the settings.

Arbie

stuartlawler wrote: »

Hi, any Echo users in Ireland know a way to localise settings, I,E, time and location switching to Ireland and not the US? I'm only after setting mine up today.

The old workarounds don't seem to work any more. If you do find one please share.

Mayo jonny

Hey,

I looking at getting an Echo shipped over from America but have heard its hassle to set up (that you need to have an US Amazon Prime acc and a VPN in the states?) Has anyone had hassle lately setting it up and or how is it done? would you recommend getting one?

Thanks

unklerosco

Mayo jonny wrote: »

Hey,

I looking at getting an Echo shipped over from America but have heard its hassle to set up (that you need to have an US Amazon Prime acc and a VPN in the states?) Has anyone had hassle lately setting it up and or how is it done? would you recommend getting one?

Thanks

I just used my normal amazon account to login to the US Amazon n setup a prim account. Didn't need a VPN etc.

I downloaded an apk of the app for my phone and that was it. Works fine.

Mayo jonny

unklerosco wrote: »

I just used my normal amazon account to login to the US Amazon n setup a prim account. Didn't need a VPN etc.

I downloaded an apk of the app for my phone and that was it. Works fine.

So it was easy so to set up in a few minutes? Would you recommend the product?

stuartlawler

The Echo is a great device, even if it is not quite optimised for the Irish market just yet. The workarounds to set the time to Irish/UK region seem to have been closed off by Amazon, or at least I can't get them to work!

unklerosco

I have mine in the kitchen.. Excellent for shopping lists with the app, kitchen timer, weight/temp conversions, games of jeopardy, random questions, having your wife convinced there's someone called alexa living in your house..