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1.) DParker - 09/22/2016
OK, we finally dragged Swampy kicking and screaming far enough into the 21st century that he now has a smart phone...so let's see what this does:
[URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DFKC2SO/ref=s9_simh_gw_g451_i2_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=0VGFF54B9YDQ5SC4V2H3&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=6aad23bd-3035-4a40-b691-0eefb1a18396&pf_rd_i=desktop"]"Dot" version of the Amazon Echo, now only $49.99 for Prime members (or buy 5 and get one free)[/URL]
Pair this with a home automation hub and some smart light bulbs and picture yourself bringing the girl from the produce section at the Piggly Wiggly home and saying...
[INDENT]"Alexa, set the lights to 20%."
"Alexa, play some Barry White."[/INDENT]
You'd be in like Flint.
[URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DFKC2SO/ref=s9_simh_gw_g451_i2_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=0VGFF54B9YDQ5SC4V2H3&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=6aad23bd-3035-4a40-b691-0eefb1a18396&pf_rd_i=desktop"]"Dot" version of the Amazon Echo, now only $49.99 for Prime members (or buy 5 and get one free)[/URL]
Pair this with a home automation hub and some smart light bulbs and picture yourself bringing the girl from the produce section at the Piggly Wiggly home and saying...
[INDENT]"Alexa, set the lights to 20%."
"Alexa, play some Barry White."[/INDENT]
You'd be in like Flint.
2.) bluecat - 09/22/2016
"Is that roux I smell burning baby or is that the fire down below?"
3.) DParker - 09/22/2016
[QUOTE=bluecat;44212]"Is that roux I smell burning baby or is that the fire down below?"[/QUOTE]
LOL!
LOL!
4.) Swamp Fox - 09/22/2016
+2 points. :wink
5.) DParker - 09/22/2016
[I]"Our apples will blot out the sun!"[/I]
[I]"Then we will fight in the cobbler."[/I]
[I]"Then we will fight in the cobbler."[/I]
6.) Swamp Fox - 09/22/2016
+ 2 for the debatable pie reference...
Whenever I hear of something new, like sheep's bladders preventing earthquakes, I like to think about it.
Here are some of my thoughts based on the information at the link:
--- [I]Echo Dot (2nd Generation) is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more[/I]
I can do all that by myself already, except for the smart home devices. What are those? Like a Swiffer or something? I think the one that squirts out cleaning fluid if you invest in 4 AA batteries is pretty clever. I just bought my first one the other day. For $25, I'm not sure it beats a mop and bucket for $12, but I feel like I can connect more with people now.
• [I]Connects to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable to play music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn[/I]
They lost me at "connects". I still haven't gotten around to buying the cable I need to connect a receiver and speakers somebody gave me in something like 2007. I'm not sure they even make it anymore.
• [I]Controls lights, fans, switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee, and others[/I]
There's those words again. "Controls" and "connected". They keep saying them...And ecobee just sounds like I don't even want to know...
•[I] Hears you from across the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy environments or while playing music.
[/I]The cats can hear me chewing Corn Nuts from 50 yards away, but that doesn't mean they don't mistake them for Friskies. "Pudgie, roll over! C'mon, roll over. Oh, c'mon! You don't even know your name, do you?"
• [I]Includes a built-in speaker so it can work on its own as a smart alarm clock in the bedroom, an assistant in the kitchen, or anywhere you might want a voice-controlled computer[/I].
That's what I need: Conversations with a computer. And there's already one too many people claiming to be cooks in the kitchen. "This kitchen isn't big enough for the two of us." Eventually there would be a gunfight.
• [I]Always getting smarter and adding new features, plus thousands of skills like Uber, Domino's, and more
[/I]This would just make me feel bad, because as I get older I know less and less, and am shedding skills like Samsung.
• [I]Amazon Echo is not required to use Echo Dot[/I]
Well, that's a relief.
Whenever I hear of something new, like sheep's bladders preventing earthquakes, I like to think about it.
Here are some of my thoughts based on the information at the link:
--- [I]Echo Dot (2nd Generation) is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more[/I]
I can do all that by myself already, except for the smart home devices. What are those? Like a Swiffer or something? I think the one that squirts out cleaning fluid if you invest in 4 AA batteries is pretty clever. I just bought my first one the other day. For $25, I'm not sure it beats a mop and bucket for $12, but I feel like I can connect more with people now.
• [I]Connects to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable to play music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn[/I]
They lost me at "connects". I still haven't gotten around to buying the cable I need to connect a receiver and speakers somebody gave me in something like 2007. I'm not sure they even make it anymore.
• [I]Controls lights, fans, switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more with compatible connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee, and others[/I]
There's those words again. "Controls" and "connected". They keep saying them...And ecobee just sounds like I don't even want to know...
•[I] Hears you from across the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy environments or while playing music.
[/I]The cats can hear me chewing Corn Nuts from 50 yards away, but that doesn't mean they don't mistake them for Friskies. "Pudgie, roll over! C'mon, roll over. Oh, c'mon! You don't even know your name, do you?"
• [I]Includes a built-in speaker so it can work on its own as a smart alarm clock in the bedroom, an assistant in the kitchen, or anywhere you might want a voice-controlled computer[/I].
That's what I need: Conversations with a computer. And there's already one too many people claiming to be cooks in the kitchen. "This kitchen isn't big enough for the two of us." Eventually there would be a gunfight.
• [I]Always getting smarter and adding new features, plus thousands of skills like Uber, Domino's, and more
[/I]This would just make me feel bad, because as I get older I know less and less, and am shedding skills like Samsung.
• [I]Amazon Echo is not required to use Echo Dot[/I]
Well, that's a relief.
7.) Swamp Fox - 09/22/2016
Plus there would be this problem:
[B]Customer Service Vindaloop[/B]...
[B]Customer Service Vindaloop[/B]...
8.) DParker - 09/22/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]--- [I]Echo Dot (2nd Generation) is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more[/I]
I can do all that by myself already...[/quote]
Yeah, but there are many things that you can do for yourself but are still better when someone else does them for you (:::nudge:::nudge::: say no more!)
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]...except for the smart home devices. What are those?[/quote]
Here, this is just the tip of the iceberg that is the "smart home" stuff that Alexa devices (Echo, Dot, etc) will work with:
[INDENT][URL="https://www.amazon.com/smart-home/b?node=6563140011"]Amazon Smart Home[/URL][/INDENT]
And those are just the things that Amazon has directly integrated their products with. Using intermediary services like [URL="http://www.ifttt.com/"]IFTTT (If This Then That)[/URL] significantly expands your ability to get things like the Echo and other stuff to work together.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]They lost me at "connects". I still haven't gotten around to buying the cable I need to connect a receiver and speakers somebody gave me in something like 2007. I'm not sure they even make it anymore.[/quote]
That's what Bluetooth is all about. No wires needed.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]There's those words again. "Controls" and "connected". They keep saying them...And ecobee just sounds like I don't even want to know...[/quote]
Smart/programmable thermostats. I have two (one upstairs and one downstairs), and they're the greatest thing to happen to home HVAC since freon.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216][/I]The cats can hear me chewing Corn Nuts from 50 yards away, but that doesn't mean they don't mistake them for Friskies. "Pudgie, roll over! C'mon, roll over. Oh, c'mon! You don't even know your name, do you?"[/quote]
Unlike the cats, Alexa knows her name, listens...AND responds. Also, she won't tear up the screen door because you're slow to let her back inside.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]That's what I need: Conversations with a computer. And there's already one too many people claiming to be cooks in the kitchen. "This kitchen isn't big enough for the two of us." Eventually there would be a gunfight.[/quote]
All kidding aside, that's one of most frequent uses I put my Echos to (not counting the fact that the one in the bedroom serves as my alarm clock every morning...it's very cathartic to be able to yell, "Shut up!" at your alarm when you wake up, and have it actually do so.) Any time I need to set a timer for something and my hands are busy cutting food, or setting oven temps, or running in and out putting more wood chunks in the smoker, etc...it's incredibly handy to be able to just say, "Alexa, set a 30-minute timer" without having to take my eyes and/or hands off whatever it is that I'm busy doing. Also, when I'm standing there with just some measuring spoons because the measuring cup is in the dishwasher, and a recipe that calls for 4 fluid ounces of something I can just say, "Alexa, how many tablespoons are there in 4 fluid ounces?"...and she'll tell me.
When I get out of the shower in the morning and start getting dressed I ask the upstairs Echo for weather and traffic reports, then have it play whatever genre of music I think will help wake me up a little more...all without having to stop and look at/manually operate anything. There's also little stuff like, "Alexa, what time is the Rangers game on?" that forgetful old farts like me like. And the wife really likes, "Alexa, turn off the downstairs lights" when going to bed, seeing as how it not only prevents her from having to operate 7 switches (6 lights and the ceiling fan), but I have the light nearest the stairs set to very slowly dim before going out completely, so she can make it up the stairs before it gets too dark to see where she's going. And the first one of us to make it upstairs triggers the motion sensor near the bedroom door, which causes the bedroom lights to come on automatically. Then when everybody's in place for the night, a final, "Alexa, turn off the bedroom lights" shuts it all down.
I'm telling you, once you get used to voice controlling things you'll wonder how in the world you ever put up with NOT voice controlling things.
I can do all that by myself already...[/quote]
Yeah, but there are many things that you can do for yourself but are still better when someone else does them for you (:::nudge:::nudge::: say no more!)
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]...except for the smart home devices. What are those?[/quote]
Here, this is just the tip of the iceberg that is the "smart home" stuff that Alexa devices (Echo, Dot, etc) will work with:
[INDENT][URL="https://www.amazon.com/smart-home/b?node=6563140011"]Amazon Smart Home[/URL][/INDENT]
And those are just the things that Amazon has directly integrated their products with. Using intermediary services like [URL="http://www.ifttt.com/"]IFTTT (If This Then That)[/URL] significantly expands your ability to get things like the Echo and other stuff to work together.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]They lost me at "connects". I still haven't gotten around to buying the cable I need to connect a receiver and speakers somebody gave me in something like 2007. I'm not sure they even make it anymore.[/quote]
That's what Bluetooth is all about. No wires needed.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]There's those words again. "Controls" and "connected". They keep saying them...And ecobee just sounds like I don't even want to know...[/quote]
Smart/programmable thermostats. I have two (one upstairs and one downstairs), and they're the greatest thing to happen to home HVAC since freon.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216][/I]The cats can hear me chewing Corn Nuts from 50 yards away, but that doesn't mean they don't mistake them for Friskies. "Pudgie, roll over! C'mon, roll over. Oh, c'mon! You don't even know your name, do you?"[/quote]
Unlike the cats, Alexa knows her name, listens...AND responds. Also, she won't tear up the screen door because you're slow to let her back inside.
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44216]That's what I need: Conversations with a computer. And there's already one too many people claiming to be cooks in the kitchen. "This kitchen isn't big enough for the two of us." Eventually there would be a gunfight.[/quote]
All kidding aside, that's one of most frequent uses I put my Echos to (not counting the fact that the one in the bedroom serves as my alarm clock every morning...it's very cathartic to be able to yell, "Shut up!" at your alarm when you wake up, and have it actually do so.) Any time I need to set a timer for something and my hands are busy cutting food, or setting oven temps, or running in and out putting more wood chunks in the smoker, etc...it's incredibly handy to be able to just say, "Alexa, set a 30-minute timer" without having to take my eyes and/or hands off whatever it is that I'm busy doing. Also, when I'm standing there with just some measuring spoons because the measuring cup is in the dishwasher, and a recipe that calls for 4 fluid ounces of something I can just say, "Alexa, how many tablespoons are there in 4 fluid ounces?"...and she'll tell me.
When I get out of the shower in the morning and start getting dressed I ask the upstairs Echo for weather and traffic reports, then have it play whatever genre of music I think will help wake me up a little more...all without having to stop and look at/manually operate anything. There's also little stuff like, "Alexa, what time is the Rangers game on?" that forgetful old farts like me like. And the wife really likes, "Alexa, turn off the downstairs lights" when going to bed, seeing as how it not only prevents her from having to operate 7 switches (6 lights and the ceiling fan), but I have the light nearest the stairs set to very slowly dim before going out completely, so she can make it up the stairs before it gets too dark to see where she's going. And the first one of us to make it upstairs triggers the motion sensor near the bedroom door, which causes the bedroom lights to come on automatically. Then when everybody's in place for the night, a final, "Alexa, turn off the bedroom lights" shuts it all down.
I'm telling you, once you get used to voice controlling things you'll wonder how in the world you ever put up with NOT voice controlling things.
9.) Swamp Fox - 09/22/2016
So what you're saying is that you're a control enthusiast....
:grin:
:grin:
10.) Swamp Fox - 09/22/2016
[QUOTE=DParker;44218]... Also, when I'm standing there with just some measuring spoons because the measuring cup is in the dishwasher, and a recipe that calls for 4 fluid ounces of something I can just say, "Alexa, how many tablespoons are there in 4 fluid ounces?"...and she'll tell me.
[/QUOTE]
1:14.....LOL
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUR3Dqxtijg[/url]
[/QUOTE]
1:14.....LOL
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUR3Dqxtijg[/url]
11.) DParker - 09/22/2016
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;44220]1:14.....LOL
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUR3Dqxtijg[/url][/QUOTE]
Yeah, that's pretty funny (I'd add a NSFW). I keep waiting for both of mine to become self-aware and start plotting against me.
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUR3Dqxtijg[/url][/QUOTE]
Yeah, that's pretty funny (I'd add a NSFW). I keep waiting for both of mine to become self-aware and start plotting against me.
12.) bluecat - 09/22/2016
:laugh:
13.) DParker - 11/07/2016
This is now at the top of my Christmas list.
[video=youtube;zBqiW1R5_JM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBqiW1R5_JM[/video]
[video=youtube;zBqiW1R5_JM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBqiW1R5_JM[/video]
14.) bluecat - 11/08/2016
I want one!
15.) Jon - 11/08/2016
I want the talking buck!