Right now the Dot 2 is $29.95 and Echo 2.is $79.95.
Anyone have a Spot? I think it would make a good alarm clock but the screen doesn’t dim, so maybe not.
GaryM
I really REALLY want an Alexa mod to make it sound like HAL 9000 - I know there are Easter Eggs about this and there is a ‘skill’ pack that just makes it say “I’m sorry Dave…”, but I want the full voice pack - Alexa is a bit too chirpy - I want Alexa to speak with the calm, measured tones of Douglas Rain.
OK, I was on the fence; now I’m sold.
mmm
Got it this morning and have already connected it to the Sonos players and the Nest thermostat.
I dont think I’m going to get much done today. 
Latest thing I asked it last night: “Alexa, how late is Target open?” On the down side, it said it was currently closed, which was incorrect; they apparently need to work on that.
Amazon sends me an Alexa newsletter thingy every week with suggestions and such. Today’s suggestions for things to try: [ul][li]“Alexa, wake me up to Pentatonix at 7am.”[/li]With music alarms, you can now wake up to your favorite song, artist, playlist, or radio station.
[li]“Alexa, where is Santa?”[/li][li]“Alexa, tell me about your Jeopardy! skills.”[/li][li]“Alexa, spin the dreidel.”[/li][li]“Alexa, find me a cranberry scone recipe.”[/li][li]“Alexa, where’s my stuff?”[/li]Keep your holiday gifts a surprise—you can now choose whether Alexa reads the names of items being delivered.
[li]“Alexa, what movies are playing nearby?”[/li][li]“Alexa, open my gift.”[/li][li]“Alexa, what’s your favorite sport?”[/li][li]“Alexa, play songs for drinking eggnog from Amazon Music.”[/li][li]“Alexa, when did Dan Brown’s latest book come out?”[/li]Alexa can also help you listen to books, bedtime stories, quotes, and more.
[li]“Alexa, what are you reading?”[/li][li]“Alexa, what should I serve at my holiday party?”[/li][li]“Alexa, what’s the tallest mountain in New York?”[/li][li]“Alexa, what are the top holiday movies?”[/li]“Alexa, call Dad’s mobile.” [/ul]
I bought one from a coworker for like $20. It integrates with our web-enabled thermostats, so I could tell it to adjust the temperature in the room. But it’s so particular, it’s usually just less frustrating for me to go ahead and do it from my phone.
It plays music. So always nice to have yet another device to do that.
It can add events to my Google calendar, which then appear on my phone.
You can ask it random shit.
Plus my 3 year old is figuring out how to use it. So it’s great for playing his favorite song over and over again.
A fun one for the kiddos: say “Alexa, open the magic door.” It starts a sort of choose-your-own-adventure story.
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen this (NSFW):
[spoiler]Alexa responds to child by spouting porn keywords:
I got the Echo Connect set up today.
It is a $35 box that plugs in to your landline and allows an Echo to send and receive calls with voice commands only. Very nice for the visually impaired. Voice quality seems better than Echo alone and your landline number shows up on Caller ID.
Biggest drawback so far is that every Echo on the account becomes a phone extension. They all announce an incoming call but go quiet once you answer on one.
Would be nice to be enable on specific Echos but you can get them to stay quiet by setting ‘Do not disturb’ (but then you cannot use it for Echo-to-Echo calling).
I also received my connect today. Setup was simple and it works.
I was at Costco today and found WiMo socket adaptors that work with Echo or Google assistant. Will work on them tomorrow.
GaryM
I hope more languages become available for the echo. Ive been learning Italian for a few years and could really use a practice partner. I asked her to set a timer for venti minuti, which she understood, but that’s about it.
Our primary use is for our grocery shopping list. We can quickly add an item when we notice we are out or low. Then when I’m at the grocery story, I can simply use my app to view the list and mark items off the list. Of course my wife likes to add items while I’m shopping which isn’t cool at all. 
I received two WiFi controlled receptacles today. Configured them with the native app and linked to my Alexia app.
Now I’m driving my wife nuts turning lights on and off.
The units I bought also track power usage if you want that kind of thing.
GaryM
I tried this but could never get the particular podcast episode I wanted to play.
Try the AnyPod skill.
My son likes to add things like: “Big hairy monkey balls” to the list.
Stoopid kid! 
As a single guy, I told Alexa that I needed a woman.
So she added “A Woman” to my shopping list…
I added “world domination” to my list. Do they still carry that at Walmart?
Is he acquainted with Kiwi fruit?
Sad how ours fails to cooperate with our robot vacuum, neato. I read they’re suppose to work together but for some reason, just wont. I love how my kid uses it for assignment though! I wonder how my college life could have become easier if we had this before! lol.