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Amazon Alexa and Echo FAQ

What is Amazon Alexa?

Amazon Alexa is Amazons Artificial Intelligence that can work across multiple devices (Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Fire TV, etc.) and can be used to answer questions asked by voice and control home automation devices by voice.

What is Amazon Echo?

Echo is a Bluetooth speaker that can sit in a room and comes with microphones and Amazons AI Alexa that can be used to answer questions by voice and control music playback and home automation devices by voice.

What is Amazon Echo Dot?

The Echo Dot is the little brother of the full size Amazon Echo. It is a smaller, cheaper device that lacks the full size speaker of the Echo. It includes the same microphones and Alexa AI as the full size speaker. While it also includes a small speaker, the speaker isn't good enough for quality music playback, but ok for answering voice commands and alarms. However the Echo Dot can be connected to better quality speakers (hifi system, AV receiver, bluetooth speakers, etc.) via either a 3.5mm audio out connection or over bluetooth.

Can I buy the Amazon Echo/Dot in Ireland?

No, not directly. However you can buy it from Amazon UK and get it shipped to Ireland by either Parcel Motel, Parcel Wizard or Address Pal shipping services.

How do I set the Echo/Dot up?

You either use the website alexa.amazon.co.uk or you use the Alexa app for iPhone or Android. The easier way is to use the website, but see below for more information of the mobile apps.

Can I use alexa.amazon.co.uk on a mobile browser.

Yes, initially it will tell you to use the app, however you can use your mobile browsers optino to display the desktop version of the website, it will work fine.

Can I get alexa app for iPhone?

The Alexa app isn't available on the Irish Apple App Store, however it is reltivaly easy to temporarily change your app store to the UK App Store and download it from there after which you can change it back to the Irish app store.

Can I get the alexa app for Android?

The Alexa app isn't available in the Irish Google Play Store. However it is possible to install the app by downloading the app to your laptop and sideloading the app to your Android phone. You can do a google search for more details on how to do this.

Will I be able to use my Irish address in the app?

Sort of. Amazon uses the Microsoft Bing Maps for it's addresses. Bing Maps address database for Ireland is very poor. Your address might not work, however you might find that a near by street address will work.

Will commuting times work?

If you manage to set your home and work address (see above answer), then yes you will be able to get commuting times.

However Amazon uses Bing Maps, so commuting times aren't as accurate as Google Maps and also you can't get commuting times by walking/cycling/public transport.

Will I be able to ask for the weather in my location?

Yes, though you will have to specify the location:

"Alexa, what is the weather like in Dublin?"

Note you will have to specify "in Dublin" "in Cork"

Will I be able to play music using Spotify Premium.

Yes, and in general it works well. For instance:

"Alexa, play music on spotify"
"Alexa, play rock on spotify"

Note the you have to specify "on spotify" each time.

Will Spotify Free work on Echo

No, it requires a premium account.

Can I play music out in multiple rooms if you have multiple Echo/Dots?

No, however you can change the room it is playing in by saying "Alexa, resume Spotify" in the room your are currently in and it will start playing in that room.

Will I be able to play Irish and UK radio stations?

Irish radio stations are extremely buggy and mostly don't work by voice control. It is extremely hard to get it to play the usual Irish radio stations.

UK radio stations work ok, for instance:
"Alexa, play BBC Radio 1 on tunein"

Notice that you have to specify "on tunein" for each station.

A work around for Irish stations is to select the station by the Alexa app or website and then you can pause it by voice.

If you listen to the same station every day, then you can select the station via the app or website first time and from then on use the follwoing vocie command to play it:

"Alexa, resume tunein".

Does it support other music services?

Yes, it also supports Amazons own music service, however that can require a UK credit card like Revolut to get working in Ireland.

Does it support playing music from a phone via Bluetooth?

Yes, Amazon Echo can work as a basic Bluetooth speaker.

What Home Automation Services does it support?

Many, including but not limited to:

- Philips Hue (smart lights)
- Belkin Wemo Smart Plugs
- Netatmo/Hive/Tado/Nest Smart Thermostats
- Smarthings
- etc.

Does it work with IFTTT?

IFTTT is currently not working in the UK and Ireland. However it does work on Amazon US Echo's so it will likely come eventually to UK and Ireland.

However an alternative service Yonomi does work with Amazon Echo and works very well.

Does it work with Logitech Harmony Remotes?

Basic support (turn on/off activities only) works in US Echos, but not UK and Ireland yet. However you can get the same level of support for Harmony in UK and Ireland using the excellent Yonomi app.

More to come.......

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Comments

lawred2

For hue and Alexa, the single best way of managing them is with routines. Nothing comes close.

Use your Hue scenes and with one phrase you can set multiple scenes through out the house at once

Asking Alexa to manage individual lights fails more than not

Alexa's integration with Hive is shockingly bad

Grumpypants

ctlsleh wrote: »

I’ve bought a few echo dots on Black Friday at half price for the teenagers rooms for Xmas, thought they’d be a nice present for alarms (theyre not allowed their phones at night), timers for study etc.
We have a family Spotify account where they all have they’re own profiles, my question is how do I set up multiple Alexa dots under my amazon account so that they can all have their own profiles for their echoes and Spotify?
Has anyone tried that or what’s best practice, I’d like to be able,to drop in as well to call them for dinner etc

Appreciate any advice

Download the App, you can mess with all the settings there. Put all the dots on your account and name the dots individually.

Dropping in is easy, you can just ask her to drop in to bedroom echo (or what ever name you give it)

Alexa can set up voice profiles, just ask her to learn my voice. She'll know who is talking then. You can connect other spotify accounts by saying alexa, spotify connect.

I've made routines so if my daughter wants to listen ill ask to play music for Lily and it will play her playlist.

OldRio

Just noticed on the Routines section of the app. Wait option.
This allows a time period to elapse between different actions on the Routine.
EG. 'bedtime routine' allows you to Turn off TV. Wait 5 mins and then downstairs lights will turn off. Wait 2 minutes then stairs lights. Etc etc etc.
Pretty cool.

paulbok

Black Friday Echo Spot arrived yesterday (must say the new An Post delivery tracking is really good).
First video Echo, will take a while to get used to having the screen.

cullenswood

paulbok wrote: »

Black Friday Echo Spot arrived yesterday (must say the new An Post delivery tracking is really good).
First video Echo, will take a while to get used to having the screen.

Is the screen a touch screen type... i.e. Can you select stuff from it or is it just the same buttons as the normal Alexa? It would be handy to be able to flick through Spotify a etc if it was.

jmBuildExt

cullenswood wrote: »

Is the screen a touch screen type... i.e. Can you select stuff from it or is it just the same buttons as the normal Alexa? It would be handy to be able to flick through Spotify a etc if it was.

Its a wolf in sheep's clothes

I bought the show for spotify specifically, thinking the interface would give same features as the app on the smartphone. search, add to queue, browse through tracks.

But basically, it can only do the things that you can do by voice. pause, skip, play etc

I suppose the good thing that its only software, so anything is possible. Maybe they will update it in the future.

cullenswood

jmBuildExt wrote: »

Its a wolf in sheep's clothes
I bought the show for spotify specifically, thinking the interface would give same features as the app on the smartphone. search, add to queue, browse through tracks.

But basically, it can only do the things that you can do by voice. pause, skip, play etc

I suppose the good thing that its only software, so anything is possible. Maybe they will update it in the future.

Thanks for that, will hold off for now so. Alexa can be a pain on Spotify sometimes, which means I have to go to use the app. Was hoping this would be a way around it.

Ron Burgundy II

Dot arrived yesterday a few days late. Set up was simple. At present, I have it connected to a smart bulb and a Bose soundbar. I have a few smart plugs I need to sort out and connect but this will happen over the weekend if I get time.

I'm very happy with the device and set-up. Need to look into if my Sony tv and xbox one can connect with Alexa.

Grumpypants

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

Dot arrived yesterday a few days late. Set up was simple. At present, I have it connected to a smart bulb and a Bose soundbar. I have a few smart plugs I need to sort out and connect but this will happen over the weekend if I get time.

I'm very happy with the device and set-up. Need to look into if my Sony tv and xbox one can connect with Alexa.

There is an xbox skill, I've not used it but i think it can look for and play videos etc.

The issue with my TV's is it needs a IR blaster. I cant turn it on without the remote but once on i can tell the firestick to open netflix. Kinda pointless since i still need two remotes but i still do it

Ron Burgundy II

Grumpypants wrote: »

There is an xbox skill, I've not used it but i think it can look for and play videos etc.

The issue with my TV's is it needs a IR blaster. I cant turn it on without the remote but once on i can tell the firestick to open netflix. Kinda pointless since i still need two remotes but i still do it

after typing my post, I looked into xbox skills it seems this is only available in the US?

degsie

Ron Burgundy II wrote: »

after typing my post, I looked into xbox skills it seems this is only available in the US?

Correct

whiz

Hi Guys

I want to buy an Amazon echo dot second generation, now there is none available on Amazon UK but could you buy it from Amaxon Germany etc ?

However where would I get Amazon 3 pin plug to stick into echo that is compatible with Ireland ?

Any responses appreciated

paulbok

New echo device available, Echo Input. Basically a dot with no speakers that you connect to your existing speakers instead with Jack or Bluetooth.
Apologies if already posted here.

EagererBeaver

whiz wrote: »

Hi Guys

I want to buy an Amazon echo dot second generation, now there is none available on Amazon UK but could you buy it from Amaxon Germany etc ?

However where would I get Amazon 3 pin plug to stick into echo that is compatible with Ireland ?

Any responses appreciated

2nd gen uses micros usb for power. Any bog standard non-iPhone charger you have lying about the place will work with it.

youcancallmeal

whiz wrote: »

Hi Guys

I want to buy an Amazon echo dot second generation, now there is none available on Amazon UK but could you buy it from Amaxon Germany etc ?

However where would I get Amazon 3 pin plug to stick into echo that is compatible with Ireland ?

Any responses appreciated

Check out some Irish retailers, I got a 2nd gen Echo in Argos yesterday

jmBuildExt

Do people use whisper mode?
I Found a couple of mentions of it in this thread so it must be available here.
Problem I'm having is when i try to switch it on with voice command:
"alexa, turn on whisper mode" - which from searching around seems to be the way to do it. But she treats the command as a smart home feature saying "sorry, what device?" - so she thinks I want to switch on a light or something.

Second way to do it, I believe, is through the app: Settings->Alexa Account->Alexa Voice Responses and there should be an on/off button.
The only thing I have in there is "Brief mode" setting - which i have switched on.

- I'm pretty sure my app on my phone is the latest, as it very recently changed to the new slicker interface. That definitely happened after people reported using whisper mode in this thread.
- Also one of my devices, echo show, was installed only about 2 weeks ago, so pretty sure that it has the latest firmware, as it spent a considerable amount of time updating afer installation.
- And finally, I searched the echo help/support section on amazon and I don't see any mention of whisper mode.

So does it still exist? Was it a trial that has been pulled back?
thanks

jmBuildExt

Im on a roll now....(Im still interested in my grievance in the last post)
Anyone else experience this? When switching on/off lights she misses the first syllable or first word of the device.
For example:
Me: Alexa, Extension lights on.
Alexa: I cannot find a device named "stension lights".

Me: Alexa, downstairs lights on.
Alexa: I cannot find a device named "stairs lights".

It doesn't happen all the time, but it makes me really angry when it happens

She usually gets it the second time.
Interestingly, the app doesnt show smart device interactions in the activity log, so I cant see what she thinks i said.

On writing this I may have found the answer to my problem....
If you look up on the amazon faq how to switch smart devices, the actual phrase it gives:

Alexa, turn on downstairs lights.
Whereas we tend to say "downstairs lights on"
I'll try it later. Might have to get used to saying it that way.

Of course, The other solution might be to create identical groups with names "stension lights" and "stairs lights" - but ive piles of groups as it is.

Intersting to know if people have similar issues

Grumpypants

Ask her to learn your voice, it might help.

I've found it easier to make simple routines.

Alexa, I'm home. Turns on the hall lights, sitting room, kitchen and radio.

Alexa, goodbye. Turns everything off.

robinph

The problem with one of those could be that it's hearing "AlEXa EXtension lights on" so is discounting the second one as a stutter of saying Alexa.

d31b0y

jmBuildExt wrote: »

Do people use whisper mode?

It's only available in the US right now.

jmBuildExt wrote: »

Im on a roll now....(Im still interested in my grievance in the last post)
Anyone else experience this? When switching on/off lights she misses the first syllable or first word of the device.
For example:
Me: Alexa, Extension lights on.
Alexa: I cannot find a device named "stension lights".

Me: Alexa, downstairs lights on.
Alexa: I cannot find a device named "stairs lights".

It doesn't happen all the time, but it makes me really angry when it happens
She usually gets it the second time.
Interestingly, the app doesnt show smart device interactions in the activity log, so I cant see what she thinks i said.

On writing this I may have found the answer to my problem....
If you look up on the amazon faq how to switch smart devices, the actual phrase it gives:

Alexa, turn on downstairs lights.
Whereas we tend to say "downstairs lights on"
I'll try it later. Might have to get used to saying it that way.

Of course, The other solution might be to create identical groups with names "stension lights" and "stairs lights" - but ive piles of groups as it is.

Intersting to know if people have similar issues

Try to speak more naturally.
e.g. instead of "Alexa, downstairs light on" say "Alexa, turn on the downstairs light". The odd "please" and "thank you" wouldn't hurt either! :pac:

EDIT: I didn't see your update. You got there yourself

wally79

Hi. Maybe I am a victim of advertising and need my expectations adjusted but here is my experience and I would love some feedback and advice as I am getting frustrated trying to get it to work.

I have my echo 2nd gen linked to my fire stick and it adjusts the volume on tv and will open Netflix or will find a film etc. However below are affecting my experience somewhat

when it finds a film I know is on Netflix it is never in the option list only the rent/buy from amazon options appear

Voice commands to play/pause Netflix don’t work

When I use the echo remote I can turn on and off the tv by voice but the echo just says “cannot find device fire tv” even though the command “turn down fire tv” works for the volume

Thanks in advance for any guidance

faceman

d31b0y wrote:

Try to speak more naturally. e.g. instead of "Alexa, downstairs light on" say "Alexa, turn on the downstairs light". The odd "please" and "thank you" wouldn't hurt either!

LOL

With the launch of the Dot v3 Plus v3, any thoughts on the possibility of v3 of the Echo?

youcancallmeal

Anyone elses echo devices not working properly today? Just says sorry I can't help you right now as soon as you say alexa. I'm guessing loads of new devices overloading amazon servers as it's Christmas day

Edit: Yeah apparently there is issues across Europe

alchemist33

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Anyone elses echo devices not working properly today? Just says sorry I can't help you right now as soon as you say alexa. I'm guessing loads of new devices overloading amazon servers as it's Christmas day

Edit: Yeah apparently there is issues across Europe

Got one for the teenager and this was a problem. Was cursing myself for not getting one of the google yokes instead but hopefully its just an issue today.

jarain

Is Apple Music live as a music service choice yet? Had a look at the streaming options and I could not see it.

Mondo44

Which is the best smart plug to buy to work with Alexa.. Hive, Philips hue or TP link

Murtimus

jarain wrote: »

Is Apple Music live as a music service choice yet? Had a look at the streaming options and I could not see it.

Live in the US but not anywhere else as far as I know

Davy

Mondo44 wrote: »

Which is the best smart plug to buy to work with Alexa.. Hive, Philips hue or TP link

I didn't know Philips had one. The TP link and amazons own are very good. Cover most features you can think of.

TP link 110 does energy monitoring, 100 model does not.

Suckler

Mondo44 wrote: »

Which is the best smart plug to buy to work with Alexa.. Hive, Philips hue or TP link

I use TP link plugs and bulbs. Work perfect and easy to connect.

Grumpypants

Mondo44 wrote: »

Which is the best smart plug to buy to work with Alexa.. Hive, Philips hue or TP link

I got woox plugs on sale for about £7.50, normally around 15-16. They work as good as the £25 amazon one i got.