Best Amazon Echo uses?

2,224 Views | 19 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by MrJonMan
MrJonMan
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AG
Wife bought me one for Christmas....pretty sure it was just so I would stop debating if I should buy one.

I read through a previous thread on here about using smartthings, wemo, etc

Curious though, besides simple voice commands (music, timers, questions) what are your favorite things to use it for?

We have iPhone controlled pool controls and a Honeywell thermostat but neither of them are compatible.

I haven't purchased any wifi bulbs or anything. I have an OLD harmony remote but never set it up with any of our current equipment
VonDownByTheRiver
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Ask it the weather in the mornings.

Use it for cooking timers, or timers for the kids and their TV time/bed time.

Tie it to Spotify/Prime and a bigger speaker for voice controlled music.

Check out IFTTT to see if your pool controls might be able to be tied in.
MrJonMan
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AG
Will check into IFTTT

I already use it for weather, timers and music.....but with music I only listen to is through the Echo, not on my home theater or anything else
Whitetail
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AG
I taught mine to get me a beer.
VonDownByTheRiver
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MrJonMan said:

Will check into IFTTT

I already use it for weather, timers and music.....but with music I only listen to is through the Echo, not on my home theater or anything else
If your home theater has Bluetooth, you can tie them together seamlessly.
MrJonMan
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AG
Quickly searching, it doesn't appear my iAquaLink (pool controls) have the ability to work with Echo yet.
chipotle
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Get a Harmony Hub:

"Alexa, turn on tv"...BAM!...tv on
"Alexa, turn on FOX/ABC/CBS/NBC"...BAM!....tv on with channel selected
"Alexa, turn on netflix"...BAM!...tv on with proper input set for roku and roku netflix channel selected
"Alexa, turn on ESPN"...BAM!...tv on with proper input set for roku and roku espn channel selected
Olag00
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AG
Shopping list
To do List
Calendar events
Ask it for a joke
Ask if for a dirty joke
Reorder previous orders like dog food, batteries, etc
VonDownByTheRiver
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Good shout on calendar, I linked my shared family calendar so if my wife or I add an event via Echo, we both see it on our phones. Very handy.
MrJonMan
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AG
Wow, the Harmony Hub is cheap! Is it like my old harmony 1100 remote, in that you still have to attach the IR sensors onto all devices?
NPH-
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AG
It has Harmony Hub integration? Interesting... anyone have a link for the lazy on how to set this up?
VonDownByTheRiver
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NPH- said:

It has Harmony Hub integration? Interesting... anyone have a link for the lazy on how to set this up?
You don't really need a link. You download the Harmony skill to Alexa, and you add your devices in the Harmony app. It's that easy.
MrJonMan
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AG
Looks like the hub controls stuff through Bluetooth, correct?
mickeyrig06sq3
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AG
Great for keeping the kids entertained:
VonDownByTheRiver
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MrJonMan said:

Looks like the hub controls stuff through Bluetooth, correct?
And IR. It's a wifi/bluetooth enabled universal remote without any buttons.
MrJonMan
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AG
VonDownByTheRiver said:

MrJonMan said:

Looks like the hub controls stuff through Bluetooth, correct?
And IR. It's a wifi/bluetooth enabled universal remote without any buttons.


Hate those darn IR sensors, I can never position them properly.

However, new tv shouldn't need one....Denon receiver might. Of course the cable box will
VonDownByTheRiver
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MrJonMan said:

VonDownByTheRiver said:

MrJonMan said:

Looks like the hub controls stuff through Bluetooth, correct?
And IR. It's a wifi/bluetooth enabled universal remote without any buttons.


Hate those darn IR sensors, I can never position them properly.

However, new tv shouldn't need one....Denon receiver might. Of course the cable box will
Not sure what you're talking about. All of those devices already have IR sensors. The Harmony Hub has a VERY strong blaster.
tamusc
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AG
VonDownByTheRiver said:

MrJonMan said:

VonDownByTheRiver said:

MrJonMan said:

Looks like the hub controls stuff through Bluetooth, correct?
And IR. It's a wifi/bluetooth enabled universal remote without any buttons.


Hate those darn IR sensors, I can never position them properly.

However, new tv shouldn't need one....Denon receiver might. Of course the cable box will
Not sure what you're talking about. All of those devices already have IR sensors. The Harmony Hub has a VERY strong blaster.
Yeah, it's a very strong blaster that doesn't need direct line of sight. It just needs the equipment to not be behind something like a door and in that case, it comes with a secondary blaster to put into the cabinet that is far more powerful than the tiny little ones you usually see.
Jasomania
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AG
I got a Harmony Hub and been pretty great, I usually use the remote but its nice to pause tv/netflix without finding the remote when your phone rings or someones at the door.

The most we use it for are the timer, music, weather, news, and shopping list. I can't emphasize the shopping list enough it has really made grocery shopping easier, we just add things as we run out of them and boom complete list of what we need at the store.

I also like using it for easy questions like how old an actor is, math, unit conversions, and when things occurred. You can't ask her too hard of questions but its nice for simple stuff.
VonDownByTheRiver
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St_Jason said:

You can't ask her too hard of questions but its nice for simple stuff.
Redundant, already have a wife
MrJonMan
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AG
Ahhh, sorry for the confusion.

I was referring to the actual IR emitter that you used to have to stick on over the IR sensor on the specific device. Didn't realize the HUB wouldn't require those.

Picking one up soon
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