Amazon Echo Review- Alexa can do it all

by rmears

Well, Christmas is over and the new year has begun.  If you are like me then you like new cool gadgets.  This year’s gadget which is getting a lot of buzz is the Amazon Echo. Do you remember watching those future movies and the person could do all kinds of things just by talking to their house?  Well, the future is here. 

I received the Echo Dot as a present this year and love it.  One of the main functions it does is annoy the family.  They are already tired of me asking “Alexa what’s in the news?”, “Alexa, play some country music”. I must admit she is the smartest women I have ever met.  No offense to the other women in my life but she knows the scores from all of last night’s games.  She has been so annoying that she got moved to my office and we have been bonding ever since.  After doing a considerable amount of research on her “Skill” set, this device may turn out to be something special.  Not only can it provide me the news, play music or read me a bedtime story, but it can turn on/off lights, control thermostat, add items to my shopping list and keep my calendar in order.  Most of the “Skills” require an associated apps like Pandora or Spotify for music or smart devices like the Home Control Assistant systems to perform the various functions. Most apps are free and the smart devices are moderately priced. Heck, I can even order a pizza just by saying “Alexa order a large pepperoni pizza from domino’s please”.  Now, how great is that!

The main part is the actual Echo device and the associated app that goes on your phone. Once connected to your home WIFI, you are ready to go.  The app is used to configure and enable “Skills” and it even keeps track of past commands. If you really want to drive people crazy, get the Amazon fire stick and play “Alexa Simon Say…”. She will repeat whatever is said next.

People are creating skills all the time and if you are a real technonerd, you can create your own skill set by programming on the developer website.  But for now, just get one and annoy the family, it’s well worth it.- Dan Sexton

One thing that Alexa can not do is access our local MLS to find available homes.
ENTER CITY, ZIP, OR NEIGHBORHOOD BELOW TO SEARCH FOR HOMES. CUSOMIZE YOUR SEARCH BY CLICKING ON ADVANCED(MOBILE USERS CLICK ON THE “NEW PROPERTY SEARCH” BANNER BELOW):
$230,000
$230,000 - 1Br/1Ba -  for Sale in None, Mckinney
1 Bed
1 Bath
1,935 Sqft
6786 Fm 1827 Mckinney , TX 75071
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$267,500
$267,500 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Martha Ley Meadows, Hackberry
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,232 Sqft
127 Shirley Court Hackberry , TX 75036
Status: Active
Property Type: Mobile Home
$349,000
$349,000 - 2Br/1Ba -  for Sale in Vendome Place Add, Plano
2 Beds
1 Bath
1,016 Sqft
1102 11th Street Plano , TX 75074
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$425,000
$425,000 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Trinity Falls: Townhomes - 22ft. Lots, Mckinney
Open House
3 Beds
3 Baths
1,809 Sqft
8144 Legacy Oak Drive Mckinney , TX 75071
Status: Active
Property Type: Townhouse
$265,000
$265,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in L E Gentsch, Little Elm
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,446 Sqft
401 Douglas St Little Elm , TX 75068
Status: Active
Property Type: Mobile Home
$395,000
$395,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Trinity Park Add, Allen
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,620 Sqft
6868 County Road 889 Allen , TX 75002
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$373,000
$373,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Hidden Creek Ph 3a, Mckinney
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,781 Sqft
4101 Hawkins Drive Mckinney , TX 75072
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$409,942
$409,942 - 2Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Woodridge Estates Ph Four, Oak Point
2 Beds
2 Baths
2,074 Sqft
540 Winnetka Drive Oak Point , TX 75068
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$464,900
$464,900 - 4Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Grayhawk #01 & #02, Frisco
4 Beds
2 Baths
2,020 Sqft
1277 Tree Top Drive Frisco , TX 75033
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$474,000
$474,000 - 3Br/2Ba -  for Sale in Timber Bend First Increment, Allen
3 Beds
2 Baths
1,825 Sqft
1308 Timbercreek Court Allen , TX 75002
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$299,000
$299,000 - 3Br/1Ba -  for Sale in Oak Hill, Allen
3 Beds
1 Bath
1,338 Sqft
527 English Oak Drive Allen , TX 75002
Status: Active
Property Type: Single Family Residence
$498,000
$498,000 - 3Br/3Ba -  for Sale in Brentwood Court Addition, The Colony
3 Beds
3 Baths
2,098 Sqft
5609 Woodlands Drive The Colony , TX 75056
Status: Active
Property Type: Townhouse

 

Published on 2017-01-12 14:45:46