# Got an Echo For Xmas...Now What? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2017, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299 "2017-12-26T04:51:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/21 "2017-12-26T21:26:06Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > Wow, someone who has actually used one of these things. > > Do you really find it useful? > > Do you find your use decreasing as the novelty wears off? > > I’ve read about them and seen the commercials, but even the actors in the commercials seem like they feel like idiots talking to a flower pot. We’ve had our Echo since December 2015 (yes, I just looked up my order record). I’ve since added a Dot, and also a Google Home just because I was curious to see if it was even better. (It’s better at some things, worse at others.) We use the main Echo in our kitchen all the time: as a hands-free kitchen timer, as a music player if we think of a specific song we want to hear, as a radio, to listen to news & podcasts while eating breakfast, to look up simple facts during conversations, as a world clock (check the time in Japan before calling my parents there), to hear the weather forecast as we’re getting ready to go outside, etc. Of course I have a dozen other electronic devices that can do some or all of these tasks (I have three PCs, a Chromebook, an Android tablet and two Android smartphones all within reach from where I’m sitting right now), but if I’m already near one of our Echoes, it’s easier to ask Alexa to do these specific tasks than to do it on any other device. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/22 "2017-12-26T21:33:23Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > I’m not suggesting the thing doesn’t work I’m trying to figure out why shouting things into the aether is more convenient than tapping a link on a tablet. In addition to what **ISiddiqui** said, shouting is not required. You simply speak in a conversational tone, as if you were talking to someone else in the room. As to your other points, it’s simply easier and quicker all the way around to merely ask for something than to go jumping through all the hoops you list. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/23 "2017-12-26T22:41:41Z")
It’s a great cure for earworms. “Alexa, play Love Shack 50 times”. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/24 "2017-12-26T23:12:10Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > It’s become basically essential in my kitchen. Setting up timers is a God send. I recently got a Sonos One to replace my Echo on the breakfast bar, and now it’s more than worthwhile for playing music from Spotify (the Echo was ok at it, but the sound quality was average at best). I also use it to turn the lights on and off (I have Philips light bulbs in the living room and bedroom) with my voice. > > I also have a Google Home that I use to play things on my Chromecast (ex: “Hey Google, Play Stranger Things from Netflix on Chromecast Ultra” - though I may not have the say on Netflix). Turns on the TV and everything. If you have an Amazon Fire TV, you can do similar with the Echo with it. Since the subject sort of got brought up… If I pair an Echo Dot with a bluetooth speaker, can I tell Alexa to use the bluetooth speaker to play music, but switch back to the main unit when I want her/him/it to? In other words, something like “Alexa, play ‘Tubthumping’ on the [device].” I can’t seem to get a straight answer about this. I want to leave the bluetooth speaker on and active all the time, but I only want to send music to it. I don’t want to converse with Alexa using the BT speaker. If this is a hijack, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/25 "2017-12-27T01:41:57Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Since the subject sort of got brought up… > > If I pair an Echo Dot with a bluetooth speaker, can I tell Alexa to use the bluetooth speaker to play music, but switch back to the main unit when I want her/him/it to? In other words, something like “Alexa, play ‘Tubthumping’ on the [device].” I can’t seem to get a straight answer about this. I want to leave the bluetooth speaker on and active all the time, but I only want to send music to it. I don’t want to converse with Alexa using the BT speaker. > > If this is a hijack, I apologize. Nope. Same with a wired connection to your audio system. I am hoping for a change… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/26 "2017-12-27T02:20:16Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Because it is? Far more convenient to say “Alexa, what’s the weather” or “Hey Google, what’s the weather” than pulling my phone out of my pocket (or walking to the table or bedroom to grab it), unlocking it, and then looking at the weather widget (and then tapping it to see the highs/lows for the day). It seems pretty darned obvious to me why it would be easier. Plus, when you’re trying to get the kids ready for school, getting food ready, etc., it’s a lot simpler than fiddling with a phone or tablet or computer. And when I’m lounging around listening to music, it’s so convenient just to ask it to change the station or play a certain song or whatnot. And, as far as shopping lists go, the best thing is 1) I’m terrible about physical lists and 2) you have to remember them. I spontaneously go grocery shopping all the time (I don’t have a set schedule, and I shop every day to two days). With Alexa, I always have a shopping list on my phone that anyone can add to in the house at any time. (And none of the stores I shop at have WiFi. Cell coverage is fine to pull up a shopping list.) Plus, sure, maybe your oven has a timer, but does it have multiple ones? That’s a nice feature, as well. I mean, sure, not everyone is going to find utility from it. That’s fine. But I’m a little incredulous that someone would not be able to figure out why things like that might be useful. Sure, there’s a number of ways to duplicate Alexa’s and other home assistant’s functionality. But it’s just so damned convenient to have all that in one cheap little, voice activated package. This is the kind of stuff we were dreaming about as kids in the 80s for the future (or at least I was.) ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/27 "2017-12-27T02:34:14Z")
Tonight I used several timers. One for my roasting asparagus, one for my steak, and one for pasta. All hands free. And I can ask Alexa how much time is left on each one by name. GaryM ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/28 "2017-12-27T13:16:54Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Why do you have so many devices and sites to do what one $30 device can do!? 😉 The device can’t manage my schedule, as I pointed out. The device can’t work with Roku, and even if it did it would be of very limited use as I pointed out. The grocery list would not work for me for the two reasons I pointed out. Did you read my post? ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/29 "2017-12-27T13:24:40Z")
I’m glad these are finding an audience. I just was wondering if I was missing anything. Turns out I wasn’t and there simply isn’t any way I could benefit from the technology. I simply cannot imagine a case where this would be more useful than the technology I already own. I also am very dubious about the annoyance factor from people around me spending all day shouting at a device. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/30 "2017-12-27T13:42:29Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > I’m not suggesting the thing doesn’t work I’m trying to figure out why shouting things into the aether is more convenient than tapping a link on a tablet. If we were right there in the room with you, would you still have typed the above sentence to us, or spoken it? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/31 "2017-12-27T13:44:05Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > I’m glad these are finding an audience. I just was wondering if I was missing anything. Turns out I wasn’t and there simply isn’t any way I could benefit from the technology. I simply cannot imagine a case where this would be more useful than the technology I already own. I also am very dubious about the annoyance factor from people around me spending all day shouting at a device. I recommend you not get one. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/32 "2017-12-27T14:46:31Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > I’m glad these are finding an audience. I just was wondering if I was missing anything. Turns out I wasn’t and there simply isn’t any way I could benefit from the technology. I simply cannot imagine a case where this would be more useful than the technology I already own. I also am very dubious about the annoyance factor from people around me spending all day shouting at a device. Clearly, it’s not for you, then, just like your way of doing things is not for me. And nobody “shouts” at the device “all day.” ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/33 "2017-12-27T14:58:52Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > I’m glad these are finding an audience. I just was wondering if I was missing anything. Turns out I wasn’t and there simply isn’t any way I could benefit from the technology. I simply cannot imagine a case where this would be more useful than the technology I already own. I also am very dubious about the annoyance factor from people around me spending all day shouting at a device. Well good then! It’s good when technological devices find their appropriate demographics. In the meantime, for the rest of you, I learned this morning that it will also pick up national syndicated radio shows, just by (for example) asking for “ESPN radio” or “CBS sports radio”. It will also list studio albums by artists (if you ask for them that way), but I can’t figure out a way to get it to give me a list of, say, economics podcasts. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/34 "2017-12-27T15:22:03Z")
I got mine on Christmas, and so far I love it. I’m sure I’ll find more stuff to use it for, but for now it’s perfect for positive energy. I love that I can wake up, sit on the couch, and do some guided meditation, and then a 7 minute basic workout. And if you say “Alexa, inspire me”, it will give you a nice quote that inspires you for motivation, carpe diem, whatever. I appreciate the timers and weather and such, but it’s almost like having a positivity partner in my house! ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/35 "2017-12-27T15:36:15Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > Since the subject sort of got brought up… > > If I pair an Echo Dot with a bluetooth speaker, can I tell Alexa to use the bluetooth speaker to play music, but switch back to the main unit when I want her/him/it to? In other words, something like “Alexa, play ‘Tubthumping’ on the [device].” I can’t seem to get a straight answer about this. I want to leave the bluetooth speaker on and active all the time, but I only want to send music to it. I don’t want to converse with Alexa using the BT speaker. > > If this is a hijack, I apologize. As pointed out, you can’t do it at least yet. Google has the ability to do this, but it requires a Chromecast Audio (which has a 3.5mm cord), as the Google Home (or Mini or Max) doesn’t have bluetooth out, which adds additional cost. However, if it’s something you really want to do, it may be worth the extra $35 of a Chromecast Audio (and then you can say “Hey Google, play X on [whatever you named your Chromecast Audio]”). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/36 "2017-12-27T15:47:22Z")
A dumb question - Do these things just need a wifi connection? Does it have it’s own speakers for music? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/37 "2017-12-27T16:08:53Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > A dumb question - Do these things just need a wifi connection? Does it have it’s own speakers for music? They do. However, they aren’t that great of speakers (obv the Amazon Echo and Google Home have better sound that the Amazon Echo Mini and Google Home Mini). The Echo and Home are slightly below average, but they can get the job done. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/38 "2017-12-27T16:34:35Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > A dumb question - Do these things just need a wifi connection? Does it have it’s own speakers for music? Yes, but they’re not necessarily the best. As said above, the mini versions of the home assistant devices (like the Amazon Echo Dot) have the sound fidelity a bit better than laptop speakers, but not a whole lot better. Maybe like that of a radio you’d bring to work back in the days people brought radios in to work. The full-sized versions of the devices have much bigger and better sound and get can a good bit of volume to fill up a room, but I prefer just pairing my Echo Dot with a bluetooth speaker. I personally use the [JBL Charge 3](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jbl-charge-3-portable-bluetooth-speaker-black/5097501.p?skuId=5097501). From all the reviews I’ve read, if you’re a stickler about sound, many of the bluetooth speaker options will outperform the big-speaker versions of Echo or Home, hence my decision to get the Dot vs the full-fledged Echo. (ETA: Oh, and you can also use a wired connection to your speakers, if you prefer. There is an audio out on it.) ETA: Oh, and to answer your first question, yes, you just need a WiFi connection and an outlet to plug the thing into. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/39 "2017-12-27T16:48:18Z")
**Mod Note** > [@pulykamell](#): > > Yes, but they’re not necessarily the best. As said above, the mini versions of the home assistant devices (like the Amazon Echo Dot) have the sound fidelity a bit better than laptop speakers, but not a whole lot better. Maybe like that of a radio you’d bring to work back in the days people brought radios in to work. The full-sized versions of the devices have much bigger and better sound and get can a good bit of volume to fill up a room, but I prefer just pairing my Echo Dot with a bluetooth speaker. I personally use the [JBL Charge 3](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jbl-charge-3-portable-bluetooth-speaker-black/5097501.p?skuId=5097501). From all the reviews I’ve read, if you’re a stickler about sound, many of the bluetooth speaker options will outperform the big-speaker versions of Echo or Home, hence my decision to get the Dot vs the full-fledged Echo. (ETA: Oh, and you can also use a wired connection to your speakers, if you prefer. There is an audio out on it.) > > ETA: Oh, and to answer your first question, yes, you just need a WiFi connection and an outlet to plug the thing into. On the one hand, this is IMHO, the place for all things opinionated. OTOH, the OP is requesting input from people who find the Echo useful, not people who don’t own it and think it’s stupid. In light of the OP’s request, your posts here are coming off as one extensive threadshit. This is not the best thread for airing your grievances with Echo. Please stick to the topic at hand. No warning issued. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299/40 "2017-12-27T16:50:28Z")
Thanks pulykamell. Pretty much what I though. Didn’t know about the blue tooth tie in for sound though. I’m a little bit more like poster Pabitol. Not sure it would be useful for my Wife and I. But I’m sure people do get good use out of it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-an-echo-for-xmas-now-what/805299.md?page=3)