Amazon Alexa and Echo FAQ

miranda247

I'm having a few problems with my Echo Dot. The first is the location. I finally managed to set it to O'Connell street, but now the weather gives me that random location in Japan, so I'm not sure what's happening there. When I ask Alexa what my location is, it tells me I'm in Dublin, so at least it partly knows...

The next problem is with Spotify. I had it working when we first set it up over at my father-in-laws place on Christmas day, but since taking it home and setting it up again (we had to redo the whole set-up process because obviously it was a new wifi network), the Spotify has stopped working. In the Alexa app, it's connected to my boyfriend's Spotify account (which is one of the 6 off-shoots of his dad's premium family account), but when you ask Alexa to play something on Spotify, she says 'Spotify is only currently available for the primary owner of the device,' and we're already on the primary owner's profile. I did try switching to the secondary profile, but obviously that didn't work either.

The last problem is with a Lifx bulb. Again, we had it working the first time we did it, but when we brought it all home and tried again we ran into problems. Right now the Lifx bulb is working fine within its app, and Alexa has even found the bulb and lists it, but it is always listed as offline, even though it's still working from the Lifx app, so I'm not sure how to kick start it back into being online.

I've been Googling all day, but still finding it difficult to solve any of these problems.

OldRio

Hi everyone and happy Christmas. I have been following this board for the last month or so.
Having read this entire thread a number of times it made the setting up of my Echo fairly straight forward. Thanks to all the posters.
I have rte and bbc set up for my flash briefing.
Tunein radio sorted.
Calender synced
Big Sky for weather.
Dublin for address????? (I know but finding Leitrim for many Irish is difficult. Alexa impossible.) Haha

Only the music to sort. I wonder if i join Spotify. Cheap deal at the moment. Will Echo be OK with an account from Ireland or will I have to set one up with a UK address or such

Irish Gunner

Been trying to set up Rte flash briefing but can't do it.All I see is BBC,sky etc.I have location set to Dublin..

How can I set it up?

judeboy101

OldRio wrote: »

Hi everyone and happy Christmas. I have been following this board for the last month or so.
Having read this entire thread a number of times it made the setting up of my Echo fairly straight forward. Thanks to all the posters.
I have rte and bbc set up for my flash briefing.
Tunein radio sorted.
Calender synced
Big Sky for weather.
Dublin for address????? (I know but finding Leitrim for many Irish is difficult. Alexa impossible.) Haha

Only the music to sort. I wonder if i join Spotify. Cheap deal at the moment. Will Echo be OK with an account from Ireland or will I have to set one up with a UK address or such

Kids love telling Alexa to turn on Xmas lights via tp-link plug. Me and 4friends got Spotify between us as a "family" works out €3 a month for prremium and each gets own spotify

campo

OldRio wrote: »

Hi everyone and happy Christmas. I have been following this board for the last month or so.
Having read this entire thread a number of times it made the setting up of my Echo fairly straight forward. Thanks to all the posters.
I have rte and bbc set up for my flash briefing.
Tunein radio sorted.
Calender synced
Big Sky for weather.
Dublin for address????? (I know but finding Leitrim for many Irish is difficult. Alexa impossible.) Haha

Only the music to sort. I wonder if i join Spotify. Cheap deal at the moment. Will Echo be OK with an account from Ireland or will I have to set one up with a UK address or such

Spotify works great with it, I set mine up as an Irish account

mrcheez

Alexa has been entertaining everyone over Xmas. My brother even got quite miffed that I was "ordering her around" without saying please such is the anthropomorphic effect the Echo can have on some ppl

When my brother requested a song and said it very politely Alexa even replied "what a nice way of asking, thank you". Grrr :P

We were chatting to her over dinner, asking her to sing Christmas carols, asking her names of songs "that go like...<insert lyrics>", telling jokes etc. The fifth member of the family... I feel guilty I didn't get her a present now

OldRio

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Been trying to set up Rte flash briefing but can't do it.All I see is BBC,sky etc.I have location set to Dublin..

How can I set it up?

Do a search for RTE in the briefing section. Worked for me.

OldRio

campo wrote: »

Spotify works great with it, I set mine up as an Irish account

Thanks. I will set that up ASAP.

davo2001

Still can't see RTE, annoying.

Irish Gunner

OldRio wrote: »

Do a search for RTE in the briefing section. Worked for me.

Can't do search.Going into setting's and flash briefing and just see some options for telegraph, sky,BBC no rte ....

Am I looking in wrong place?

kennM

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Can't do search.Going into setting's and flash briefing and just see some options for telegraph, sky,BBC no rte ....

Am I looking in wrong place?

There is a link there saying "Get more flash briefing content"...... thatll do the trick for you, in the app that is

Irish Gunner

kennM wrote: »

There is a link there saying "Get more flash briefing content"...... thatll do the trick for you, in the app that is

Not in android app I have?Just has flash briefing and underneath this shows ? Going into setting's then flash briefing.

No option to search?

kennM

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Not in android app I have?Just has flash briefing and underneath this shows ? Going into setting's then flash briefing.

No option to search?

I presume you're logged into the Alexa app with your Amazon account.

You should be able to go into Settings -> Flash Briefing and there should there be an option at the top Get More Flash Briefing Content.

Beyond that perhaps its an older version of app? My version is 1.24.986. Hope it helps

Dr.Winston O'Boogie

I have that version also but no option to get more flash briefings.

giftgrub

Got a Dot for Christmas but have been up the walls so have only managed to start playing with it today.

First impressions

Easy set up, did it all via the iphone. I had downloaded the app with a UK username earlier this month.
Good response, its in a dining area of a large living room and picks up voice no problems.
Its wired to my amp and connects easily to a bluetooth speaker in the kitchen.
Playing spotify is simple and quick. Dont have to say "...on spotify"I can specify songs, artists and playlists. Can it play specific albums though? I tried "play Oasis, Definitely Maybe"...no luck.
I also listen to some podcasts on Spotify, they dont seem to work either
Cant get RTE or Newstalk on tunein yet
Weather and timers are really handy

So overall i'm really impressed....next buy are some smart plugs for a few lights and we'll see how it goes

OldRio

Dr.Winston O'Boogie wrote: »

I have that version also but no option to get more flash briefings.

Go to home page on app. Press the three horizontal lines top left. This opens a menu on left of screen. Press settings.

This opens a new page. Alexa Devices will have four options but go down the page to account and press flash briefing.

Another page will open showing what is on and what is off. The top of the screen should enable you to get more flash briefing content.
Good luck.

BobPresto

Anyone who is looking to get the "get more" option in flash briefings will have to switch their Amazon account to US and then log out of the app and log back in.

Irish Gunner

BobPresto wrote: »

Anyone who is looking to get the "get more" option in flash briefings will have to switch their Amazon account to US and then log out of the app and log back in.

How can I do this as logged into Amazon account couldn't see it same for Alexa app

garbeth

BobPresto wrote: »

Anyone who is looking to get the "get more" option in flash briefings will have to switch their Amazon account to US and then log out of the app and log back in.

Not any more I think I created one for RTÉ yesterday and published it and can see it under get more flash briefings. I habpve a U.K. Account

Irish Gunner

garbeth wrote: »

Not any more I think I created one for RTÉ yesterday and published it and can see it under get more flash briefings. I habpve a U.K. Account

Have latest version of app 1.24.986.0 and UK account but no option for search on briefing under setting's ??

davo2001

Any got a link for the latest apk of the Alexa app?

OldRio

campo wrote: »

Spotify works great with it, I set mine up as an Irish account

Thanks. Led Zep blasting out of the echo via spotify as I write.

Next purchase will have to be plugs and something for the heating. More cash that I havent got. Haha.

underwaterdog

Has anyone tried the food ordering skills in Ireland (Just Eat etc.), do they work?

Zascar

Guys I can't get Sky news for my flash briefing, does not come up at all. Does anyone know why?

Zascar

davo2001 wrote: »

Any got a link for the latest apk of the Alexa app?

Looking for this too. I'm on 1.24.986.0 but the versions I'm seeing online are different, seem older.

s_carnage

I've not sky skill set up and linked to the app and also my address in my big sky account but it keeps telling me that it's 40 degrees outside. Definitely isn't!!!

Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

Emmo-m-

Anyone got any experience with echo and a Logitech harmony hub?

Zascar

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Anyone got any experience with echo and a Logitech harmony hub?

I'm expecting delivery of mine tomorrow so I'll let you know

Mister Gooey

Emmo-m- wrote:

Anyone got any experience with echo and a Logitech harmony hub?

Have Echo dot running Sky, TV, music stereo with Amazon music and Spotify, all using the Harmony Hub. You can use Yonomi or the Harmony skill to get Echo to run them. Works great.

mrcheez

Mister Gooey wrote: »

Have Echo dot running Sky, TV, music stereo with Amazon music and Spotify, all using the Harmony Hub. You can use Yonomi or the Harmony skill to get Echo to run them. Works great.

I'd say it's fairly easy to get Echo + Harmony Hub to control Kodi on a Fire TV.

I had to do a complicated workaround to get the Echo working with the Fire TV, and it works "most of the time", but this bridge might make it easier.

degsie

Anybody else get the free Audible book, A Christmas Carol, to try with the Echo? Works great.

johnnyrotten

Facebook support page for Irish users:


https://www.facebook.com/groups/AlexaFansIreland/

Emmo-m-

Mister Gooey wrote: »

Have Echo dot running Sky, TV, music stereo with Amazon music and Spotify, all using the Harmony Hub. You can use Yonomi or the Harmony skill to get Echo to run them. Works great.

Can you say phrases like "Alexa , watch sky sports 1" or is it just channel up/down functions etc?

Do you have to position the hub opposite to your devices in order for the IR commands to go through correctly?

bk

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Can you say phrases like "Alexa , watch sky sports 1" or is it just channel up/down functions etc?

If you had added it to the Harmony Hub as a favourite channel (easy to do) first, then yes.

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Do you have to position the hub opposite to your devices in order for the IR commands to go through correctly?

The IR hub is very powerful, I've mine simply sitting on top of my devices and the IR signal bounces off the opposite wall and controls the devices just fine.

Also the hub comes with two IR blaster extenders on the end of a cable for more flexible placement.

garbeth

Did a search but couldn't find this

Get Alexa to find your phone

1. Download TrackR
iPhone app. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trackr-find-lost-keys-wallets/id588363491?mt=8
Droid app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phonehalo.itemtracker&hl=en
2. Set up your phone in the app using the wizard.
3. Ask Alexa Enable TrackR
4. Ask Alexa What is my pin code and enter this on the screen in the TrackR app
5. To find your phone Ask Alexa Ask TrackR to find my phone.

Emmo-m-

bk wrote: »

If you had added it to the Harmony Hub as a favourite channel (easy to do) first, then yes.



The IR hub is very powerful, I've mine simply sitting on top of my devices and the IR signal bounces off the opposite wall and controls the devices just fine.

Also the hub comes with two IR blaster extenders on the end of a cable for more flexible placement.

Thanks for the info.

I might take the leap and get both the Alexa and the hub.

Silverfluffs

giftgrub wrote: »

Got a Dot for Christmas but have been up the walls so have only managed to start playing with it today.

First impressions

Easy set up, did it all via the iphone. I had downloaded the app with a UK username earlier this month.
Good response, its in a dining area of a large living room and picks up voice no problems.
Its wired to my amp and connects easily to a bluetooth speaker in the kitchen.
Playing spotify is simple and quick. Dont have to say "...on spotify"I can specify songs, artists and playlists. Can it play specific albums though? I tried "play Oasis, Definitely Maybe"...no luck.
I also listen to some podcasts on Spotify, they dont seem to work either
Cant get RTE or Newstalk on tunein yet
Weather and timers are really handy

So overall i'm really impressed....next buy are some smart plugs for a few lights and we'll see how it goes

If you say "play Definitely Maybe by Oasis" then it should work.

Any problems say "play the album Definitely Maybe by Oasis".

Silverfluffs

Emmo-m- wrote: »

Anyone got any experience with echo and a Logitech harmony hub?

The Harmony Elite on it's own is one of the best things that you can buy IMHO & connecting the hub to Alexa is a must. I recommend getting the Elite remote control as well, though you don't need it.

It was very easy to connect to Alexa. I am able to say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on my TV" & it turns on my TV, Sky Box, exits the Sky Q menu & changes to Sky sports News.

I can say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on BBC" & it changes to BBC 1. You can create a list of favourites & assign them any names that you want in the Alexa app. I have used Irish for RTE as Alexa seems to struggle with that name.

I also have it set up for Netflix, which genuinely saves me a lot of hassle & button pressing with my smart TV app. I now just say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on Netflix". It shuts off my Sky box, launches the app & chooses who is watching.

"Alexa, Tell Harmony to turn off the TV" shuts down everything.

You can have it mute, lower or increase the volume, pause, play etc. Forward wind & rewind don't seem to work with Sky Q.

mrcheez

Silverfluffs wrote: »

If you say "play Definitely Maybe by Oasis" then it should work.

Any problems say "play the album Definitely Maybe by Oasis".

Also, if it says "Could not find XXX by YYY in your music library" then add the "on Spotify" phrase.

e.g. play XXX by YYY on Spotify


incidentally YYY are a great band

Nelbert

Logitech Harmony Companion & All New Echo Dot (2nd Generation) Smart Home Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MSYQB6W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qCczybV0E835Z

Just took the leap and ordered this! Will be my second harmony hub but discovered the link to change one4all vouchers to Amazon gift cards so with a few Christmas presents it "cost me" very little..... or at least that's the way I'll spin it to the boss.... for £10 etc the bundled dot was too hard to resist!

mrcheez

Nelbert wrote: »

discovered the link to change one4all vouchers to Amazon gift cards

https://www.one4all.ie/retailer/amazon-ie.html

Thank you kind sir ... as a reward try asking Alexa "Sing a Christmas carol"... surprisingly impressive voice

Emmo-m-

Nelbert wrote: »

Logitech Harmony Companion & All New Echo Dot (2nd Generation) Smart Home Kit https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MSYQB6W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qCczybV0E835Z

Just took the leap and ordered this! Will be my second harmony hub but discovered the link to change one4all vouchers to Amazon gift cards so with a few Christmas presents it "cost me" very little..... or at least that's the way I'll spin it to the boss.... for £10 etc the bundled dot was too hard to resist!

I seen that..great deal but no delivery of echo to Ireland...I'm thinking of ordering the hub of amazon and going to Newry to pick up an echo dot

Emmo-m-

Silverfluffs wrote: »

The Harmony Elite on it's own is one of the best things that you can buy IMHO & connecting the hub to Alexa is a must. I recommend getting the Elite remote control as well, though you don't need it.

It was very easy to connect to Alexa. I am able to say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on my TV" & it turns on my TV, Sky Box, exits the Sky Q menu & changes to Sky sports News.

I can say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on BBC" & it changes to BBC 1. You can create a list of favourites & assign them any names that you want in the Alexa app. I have used Irish for RTE as Alexa seems to struggle with that name.

I also have it set up for Netflix, which genuinely saves me a lot of hassle & button pressing with my smart TV app. I now just say "Alexa, tell Harmony to turn on Netflix". It shuts off my Sky box, launches the app & chooses who is watching.

"Alexa, Tell Harmony to turn off the TV" shuts down everything.

You can have it mute, lower or increase the volume, pause, play etc. Forward wind & rewind don't seem to work with Sky Q.

I currently use a harmony 650 so I'm already using most of its functions I.e activities but the voice control combo of the hub and echo seem the way forward.

And most likely I'll still have the harmony remote close by. The acitvities also combined with my hue light setup within the harmony software is an appeal also.

Nelbert

Emmo-m- wrote: »

I seen that..great deal but no delivery of echo to Ireland...I'm thinking of ordering the hub of amazon and going to Newry to pick up an echo dot

Parcel motel.......

flangemeistro

Guys am I better off getting the harmony hub and dot for £115 or the harmony companion and dot for £130?

Nelbert

flangemeistro wrote: »

Guys am I better off getting the harmony hub and dot for £115 or the harmony companion and dot for £130?

Companion. The hub alone means you'll end up having to use a phone or tablet or voice to control the hub and its activities.... the companion gives you a remote.... think of navigating through a menu or TV guide on your digibox.... do you really want to do that via voice? Or have to take out your phone to scroll through channels....

Well worth the extra £15 for the remote in my opinion.

Silverfluffs

flangemeistro wrote: »

Guys am I better off getting the harmony hub and dot for £115 or the harmony companion and dot for £130?

It is worth having the remote & even better still to go for the Elite if you are in a position to do so. It has a little touch screen with an icon for each of your faves. Great for navigating around. Worth every penny just to get rid of my awful Sky Q remote!

The prices on all of them vary hugely though. It is worth tracking them or checking their price history on CamelCamel first to see if you are getting a good deal. Just paste the Amazon URL in there to see all the info.

Emmo-m-

Nelbert wrote: »

Parcel motel.......

I've never used it. Seen plenty on the site who have but I've never needed to.

Maybe this is the right opportunity. Delivered to a Belfast parcel motel then transferred to a Dublin one , is that the process?

mrcheez

Emmo-m- wrote: »

I've never used it. Seen plenty on the site who have but I've never needed to.

Maybe this is the right opportunity. Delivered to a Belfast parcel motel then transferred to a Dublin one , is that the process?

Parcel Wizard is better really. They deliver to your place of work or home, plus marginally cheaper.

Parcel Motel have had a lot of problems lately, although perhaps just during Xmas.

Silverfluffs

mrcheez wrote: »

Parcel Wizard is better really. They deliver to your place of work or home, plus marginally cheaper.

Parcel Motel have had a lot of problems lately, although perhaps just during Xmas.

I've never used Parcel Wizard, but I have had 10 packages from Parcel Motel since the 21st (starting with my Echo & over the cliff into home automation ever since!) each one having been delivered to my parcel motel locker in Dublin the same day it arrived in Northern Ireland.

It is worth the €3.95 alone for the quickness of the delivery, or not to have to hang around at home all day (for An Post not to bother even ringing the bell), or not to be woken early in the morning etc.

Oh & you pay the cheaper UK VAT rate as well!