Can the latest generation of the Amazon Echo be programmed to report heuristic information about personal schedules?
And just in case I’m not using the word “heuristic” properly, let me clarify. Let’s say that every week I go to work each day except Wednesday and Thursday. Also, that what with travel time each way, I’m likely to be out of the apartment between 1:15 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. My wife, who is totally blind from birth, and for about a year and a half has been showing signs of dementia, might wonder where I am, so she could say “Alexa, where is kaylasdad99?” And Alexa, having my work schedule stored in her, would respond: “kaylasdad99 is at work.” If she should ask when I would likely be home, Alexa would be able to answer that, too.
The Echo that we currently have definitely does NOT have these capabilities. Kaylasmom has been talking with a friend of hers who has the next generation of the Echo. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to be able to describe exactly what improvements this generation brings to the table (she’s also blind from birth, although not stricken with dementia). Nevertheless, kaylasmom is VERY INTERESTED in exploring the notion of acquiring the next generation of Alexa.
I can probably swing such a purchase, but if all it can do is give real-time updates on the prices of stocks that I don’t own, I don’t share her interest. What I would like an Echo to do is (in addition to the aforementioned schedule-related information distribution) tell her my telephone number at work (I’m not supposed to have my cell phone on the plant floor), tell her where SHE is and who is expected to be in the apartment with her (tonight she insisted that she had left the apartment, and that her sister had come to visit and boss her around). Maybe if it could also initiate outgoing calls on command (from our landline) it would be kinda nice.
Anybody know if the latest version of Alexa (or ANY AI personal assistant; I’m not picky) can do these things? It’s pretty important.
Yeah there’s nothing I’m aware of that an original Echo can’t do that a new Echo can. **ftg **is right, it’s really all about the software.
Here’s an article about Alexa Routines which sort of gets you close to what you want. There’s a link at the end for Life360 which is a different service that you can use through Alexa that can help with what you’re asking, too.
Amazon isn’t great at that. Google might be able to do that in the near future, using information it collects from Google Maps and/or your Android phone and/or your browser. Amazon doesn’t have that part of the ecosystem down (i.e., Google knows where you are all the time, but Amazon doesn’t necessarily).
You and your wife can share a calendar and ask Alexa what’s on it for this afternoon. Not exactly what you’re looking for, but maybe close enough?
Just add your work number as a contact and have Alexa call you at work (“Alexa, call kaylasdad at work.”) You can add an Echo Connect to make it work with your landline: https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Connect-requires-compatible-Alexa-enabled/dp/B076ZRFP6Y. Or I think both Alexa and the Google Home can already make calls to US numbers via their free VOIP services; it’ll just look like it came from a different phone number
