Amazon Echo, anyone have one?

[GatorFarmer]

These things are sold via invitation only to Prime members. It seems to be a Bluetooth speaker that also links tova Siri like personal assistant named Alexa. Thus you can tell it "Alexa, play Mozart" and it will.

 

[model70hunter]

Why yes I do thanks for asking I have an ECHO, it cuts wood as good as my Husqvarna and starts easy too.

 

[venomballistics]

as these blue tooth speakers go, it seems fairly advanced.
though I am of the opinion that audio has taken a U turn straight to the 1930's in this area ... this thing might rival a 1940's tube fired table top radio now.
If you have a decent stereo receiver, you can get a BBE 282iR for half the price and get derned close to at least 90's era studio quality sound

 

[RonJ]

I have one. I would describe it as a sophisticated toy for right now. It can answer some questions on its own but mostly it refers you to a Bing search. It's good at weather forecasts, time, simple math etc. It knows the height of Mt. EVEREST, but not the Gateway Arch. It gave me a simple description of the Android operating system. It undoubtedly can answer many questions I haven't thought to ask. Amazon promises it will get smarter as time goes buy. It will scold you for asking it to open the pod bay doors. So far it is fun to use.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I have one coming next week. I forget why I wanted it. They sell to Prime members for half of list price, coming it at $99. I think they are supposed to function as an internet radio too. It looks as though I can get my money back out of it if I don't like it. Had wondered if others were enjoying them or if it was pointless.

 

[RonJ]

Yeah, Internet radio is available and it will play any song in your Amazon library plus prime music. A lot of older music in prime. You can also tell it to purchase music.music is probably it's greatest strength so far.

 

[J. Galt]

I thought it looked interesting until I realized I would be putting a live microphone in the house listening to everything that went on. I know that's probably not a realistic fear, but...........

 

[GatorFarmer]

I thought it looked interesting until I realized I would be putting a live microphone in the house listening to everything that went on. I know that's probably not a realistic fear, but...........

Now you made me paranoid, so I cancelled it. It seems that it actually does keep a running log of all requests made, so as to get "smarter". I like Amazon, but that does seem a little Orwellian.

 

[Mydogmax]

Big Brother is listening.

 

[J. Galt]

Now you made me paranoid, so I cancelled it. It seems that it actually does keep a running log of all requests made, so as to get "smarter". I like Amazon, but that does seem a little Orwellian.

Not just Amazon, who knows who could hack into it.

 

[DCWilson]

You guys are thinking about this wrong. The walls already have ears. Having an Echo allows you play masking noise to drown out what the Listening Others have been hearing you say for years. "Alexa, play loud running water noise."

I knew the first day I saw the ad that I wanted one, even though I suspected pretty strongly that Version I would be thin and rudimentary. I just liked the whole tech integration thing and I wanted a voice-controlled radio. They finally accepted my order and delivery is expected next month. Echo 2.0 will be along a year or so down the road and will be better. I'll buy that one too.

I'll know the software engineers have reached the pinnacle (Echo 5.0?) when I can get accurate answers to questions like this: "Alexa, how many prewar .22/32 Kit Guns were actually manufactured?"

I love integrated tech as much as I love S&W revolvers.