Can something the size of a hockey puck help create that smarthome without breaking the bank? Yes, and her name is Alexa.
The Amazon Echo Dot fits in the palm of the hand, plugs into a standard outlet and creates a voice-activated connection to a growing list of options. Alexa activates at the sound of her name and personifying an inanimate object seems appropriate in this case. A blue light ring glows at the top of the Echo indicating Alexa is active. From there the questions, directions and commands available are remarkable for their diverse nature and options. It may be reminiscent of "Star Trek" and being able to simply say "computer" before launching into questions and having the female voice provide answers or take on tasks.
Alexa can do a lot. She'll even tell a joke on request.
Asking Alexa to "play me the news" starts a news flash briefing with a list of items users select from a prolific list of news agencies and subjects. It's a simple process to customize and pick news outlets to get a wide array of information. So start the day and get ready by listening to the personalized daily briefing-include top headlines and news, sports, weather and upcoming events for the day-but there are many more options. Add a word of the day, a daily devotional or the latest on the cosmos. Listen to an audio book by using commands "read my book," and add the title, then direct action by keywords-next chapter, pause, stop, resume, play, skip ahead.
Play music-either a personal collection or songs available from outlets like Pandora, iHeart Radio by genre, specific song, album or playlist. Play podcasts, shows and radio, including local stations or a favorite station out of the Twin Cities. Bluetooth speakers may be added to enhance the playback from the Echo Dot.
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Amazon Prime members have additional options for music and for voice ordering. One user reported this was particularly handy for particular items-like a specific detergent ordered from Amazon. And a four-number code can be added to act as a safety net to prevent unintended purchases.
Set an alarm or sleep timer. Find out what's playing at the theater. Get phone numbers or business addresses.
Ask what the weather is like outside the door, in another state or another country. Get sports updates. Alexa can automatically pick major sports teams from the region, or they can be customized.
Alexa can create and track of to-do lists, calendar appointments, Link a Google calendar to Alexa and simply say add something like a dentist appointment to the calendar. Hands full in the kitchen? Ask Alexa to set a timer. Need a recipe or to find a substitute ingredient? Just ask.
Added skills open additional options to check certain credit card balances or make payments. Users can order a pizza and track the order's progress.
There are plenty of whimsical options as well, like conversations with Alexa for knock-knock jokes or random cat facts, "Pokemon Go" tips, or to play word games or bingo. It seems more conversational than stilted questions and answers. A Things to Try option in the Alexa App provides more ways Alexa can interact in the home.
There are additional options to use Alexa to create smarthome features from turning lights on and off and adjusting the thermostat. Philips Hue and WeMo products are part of the Alexa-enabled third-party products that allow Alexa owners to operate lights by voice commands. Enter a dark house and simply tell Alexa to turn on the living room light. Voice commands can dim lights or even change lighting color. Other compatible products include Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee and others. The Echo Dot can control fans, garage door openers, sprinklers, a robot vacuum, and more, Amazon reports.
Alexa is designed to get better with use. And it certainly is useful, interesting and popular.
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Conversations with the cloud-based Alexa are recorded when the blue light is activated. However, those conversations can be deleted by users. The Echo Dot's microphones can also be shut off via a button on the top of the device. For some, it's raised the question of privacy issues.
"The bottom line is that unless the word 'Alexa' comes up in conversation first, the device most likely is not recording anything sensitive," Forbes magazine recently reported. "The voice clips stored in the cloud are almost entirely innocuous things like 'Play music by Adele' or "'What will the weather be like on Saturday?'"
The Amazon Echo Dot (second generation) is available for $50. The item was so popular at Christmas, Best Buy in Baxter reported it was sold out. Currently on Amazon.com, the Echo Dot is out of stock until March 14.
